1998 Buick SKYLARK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
94,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10133015 · 2005-08-16 (August 16, 2005)
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT ON 7-11-05 HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR PUT IN. IT FAILED ON 8-13-05., AND IT WAS REPLACED ON 8-14-05. IT IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE TESTER AS CONSISTENT. IT WAS ARCHING AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE ALTERNATOR WAS #8225-7. THEY WILL REPLACE IT IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME; BUT THAT DID NOT HELP THE CALL NOW BECAUSE CAR DIED THE FREEWAY. A MECHANIC TOLD HER THEY WERE PUTTING BAD REGULATORS IN THESE ALTERNATORS. THIS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES;: CAR QUEST, AND BBB INDUSTRIES; 5640 COMMERCE EAST, MOBIL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10837851 · 2016-02-23 (February 23, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10837851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 888115 · 2001-05-14 (May 14, 2001)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND HAS BEEN RUNNING, IT IS MORE LIKELY TO SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 888115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8016080 · 2002-08-13 (August 13, 2002)
ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE HAS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED TO DISENGAGE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED PROBLEM ONCE, BUT IT SEEMED TO HAVE REOCCURD. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8016080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 896971 · 2001-09-27 (September 27, 2001)
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF A GARAGE AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH, AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN FELL IN HER LAP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 896971 at NHTSA ↗