BumperScan
Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated
Your report: 3 of 4 steps complete75%
Car identifiedData collectedBasic analysisFull AI analysis

Free Preview

#BS-1981-BUISKY-4BF2

1981 Buick SkylarkProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 5 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026

Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Recalls
2
TSBs
0
✅

Preliminary Verdict

Green Light

Based on 5 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 2 recalls.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Preview: What's in your full report

Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00

Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission ControlHIGH

1 owners reported engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control issues.

!Inspect the Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor SystemMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 3 more items in full checklistUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control (1 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control1 (20%)
Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System1 (20%)
Power Train:automatic Transmission1 (20%)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components1 (20%)
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages1 (20%)

1981 Buick Skylark: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control Issues

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 1981 Buick Skylark, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA.

Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System Issues

Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 1981 Buick Skylark, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Power Train:automatic Transmission Issues

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 1981 Buick Skylark, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to power train:automatic transmission-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components Issues

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 1981 Buick Skylark, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

Get Report — From $2.00

Recall History (2 recalls)

80V129000Nov 1980

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE INCORRECTLY ROUTED. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY THEN CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN DETERIORATION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE HOSE AND LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

81V038000Mar 1981

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

THE ENGINE-TO-BODY GROUND CABLE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE. THE CABLE COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK DUE TO THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND BODY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

NHTSA Defect Investigations (3)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

DP82010ClosedOpened May 1982 · closed Oct 1982

TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING

POWER TRAIN

DP83008ClosedOpened Mar 1983 · closed Jul 1983

LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EA87006ClosedOpened Dec 1986 · closed Sep 1988

POWER ST. ASSIST

STEERING

The worst model year for the Buick Skylark is the 1995 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 5 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026.

Other Buick Skylark Model Years

1998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977197519711970196819671966
View all Buick Skylark years →

1981 Buick Skylark: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 1981 Buick Skylark?
The most commonly reported issue with the 1981 Buick Skylark is related to the engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control, with 1 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 1981 Buick Skylark reliable?
The 1981 Buick Skylark has 5 complaints, 0 crash reports, and 0 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How much does it cost to fix 1981 Buick Skylark problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 1981 Buick Skylark have any recalls?
Yes, the 1981 Buick Skylark has 2 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Buick Skylark problems start?
Mileage data is limited for this vehicle. The full report analyzes available data to identify failure patterns by mileage range.
When was the 1981 Buick Skylark data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 30, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 28, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
RaccoonEagleRoverCat

Get the Full 1981 Buick Skylark Report

10 sections of AI analysis based on 5 owner reports. Know before you buy.

Get Full Report — From $2.00Money-back guarantee
Instant delivery|One-time purchase|No hidden fees