1994 Buick SKYLARK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
110,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 46 complaints (10.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 26.1% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 17.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Steering:Column | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 |
Steering: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Steering:Column: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 39 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 6; 2000: 4; 2001: 12; 2002: 6; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 10032033 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
AT 70,514 MILES THE TILT WHEEL PIVOT PINS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WERE LOOSE AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. NOW AT 75,000 MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 70,514 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036739 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
THE PINS THAT HOLDS AND ALLOWS THE STEERING WHEEL TO TILT HAVE COME OUT OF THEIR HOLES ON TWO OCCASIONS MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070104 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
AC HEATING - HEATER CORE WENT OUT- AC STILL NOT WORKING COMPUTER CONTROL- BUICK REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER CHIP- MY COMPLAINT WAS ERRATIC IDLING. IT FIXED PROBLEM. PAINT PEELING THIS YEAR STRUTS AND SPRINGS ON SUSPENSION ARE NOT LASTING LONG TIRES- PROBABLY MY FAULT FOR NOT ROTATING TRANSMISSION- I REPLACED IT WITH SALVAGED ONE AT 170,000- HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS 4T60E TRANSMISSION. BRAKES- FRONT ONES LAST 1,000 MILES. I REPLACE ALL HARDWARE. STEERING-LISTEN TO THIS-THE PIVOT PINS ON MY TILT STEERING FELL OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166235 · 2006-08-22 (August 22, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGINE HESITATED, THEN STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING, AND POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AFTER BEING RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ERVICE. PREVIOUSLY, THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED BY A SERVICE DEALER IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 175,190 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10507409 · 2013-04-07 (April 7, 2013)
ON 11/14/2012 I BOUGHT AN EXCIDE CAR BATTERY FROM NATIONAL AUTO IN BANGOR, PA. BATTERY RAN FOR ABOUT 2 MOS. THEN STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS. AFTER SITTING FOR 2 DAYS IT WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR BATTERY JUMPED 3 TIMES. BETWEEN 01/ 2013 AND 02/ 10/2013. BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD ON 02/11/2013. WAS PUT ON SLOW CHARGE AND RAN FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS AND DIED AGAIN. TOOK BATTERY BACK TO NATIONAL AUTO ON 02/17/2013. BEFORE TAKING IT THERE I HAD ALTERNATOR, STARTER AND WIRES CHECKED .. EVERYTHING OK.. RETURNED TO STORE. SERVICE PERSON CHECKED IT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10507409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559410 · 2001-02-05 (February 5, 2001)
THE BATTERY FAILED. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985812 · 1996-06-18 (June 18, 1996)
TRANSMISSION HAS A DELAY REACTION WHEN SHIFTING IN GEAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560707 · 2001-04-09 (April 9, 2001)
THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-287 CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY STALL WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS ONLY GIVEN A PARTIAL REFUND. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560707 at NHTSA ↗