1990 Buick SKYLARK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
138,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 14 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 28.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 21.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Fuel System, Other:Fuel Injection System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
1995: 5; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 3; 2003: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005387 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
STEERING RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS GEAR BOX. SEVERE GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL,EVEN AT A SLIGHT TURN. BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480737 · 1995-01-23 (January 23, 1995)
REPLACED LEAKING POWER STEERING RACK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036945 · 2003-08-31 (August 31, 2003)
1990 BUICK SKYLARK (QUAD 4 ENGINE)-CHRONIC STALLING DUE TO FAULTY LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER.COIL HOUSING WAS REPLACED 3X IN SIX YEARS .ALLDATA LISTS TECH. SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS.LETTERS TO GM AND BUICK FIELD ZONE OFFICE SEEKING RESTITUTION RECEIVED NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 884075 · 2001-03-26 (March 26, 2001)
VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, MOSTLY AT 50 MPH. ALSO ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK. DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENOR ASSEMBLY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 884075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005389 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD JOLTING BANG WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR WHETHER IT IS IN DRIVE,REVERSE OR PARK. DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHEN IN DRIVE GEAR. ALSO HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE HOSE, WHICH DURING MORNING CAR WARM-UP, CAR STARTED SMOKING, WHICH CAME FROM UNDER CAR FROM THE VAC. LINE(FUEL LINE). HAD THE LINE REPAIRED BUT TRANNY IS STILL A PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986333 · 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED AGAIN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986333 at NHTSA ↗