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Buick Skylark — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Buick Skylark model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
35
Years to Avoid
1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1980
Best Years
1999, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1966
2000
1 complaints0 recalls50 TSBs
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Avoid
34 complaints3 recalls44 TSBs
1997Avoid
111 complaints5 recalls54 TSBs
1996Avoid
116 complaints6 recalls56 TSBs
1995Avoid
119 complaints1 recalls1 invest.58 TSBs
1994Avoid
95 complaints2 recalls1 invest.42 TSBs
1993
54 complaints1 recalls20 TSBs
1992
48 complaints3 recalls1 invest.18 TSBs
1991
46 complaints2 recalls1 invest.9 TSBs
1990
37 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1989
18 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs
1988
17 complaints4 recalls2 invest.3 TSBs
1987
0 complaints2 recalls3 invest.1 TSBs
1986
10 complaints2 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1985
11 complaints1 recalls3 invest.1 TSBs
1984
27 complaints4 recalls2 invest.
1983
1 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1982
3 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1981
5 complaints2 recalls3 invest.
1980Avoid
0 complaints9 recalls7 invest.
1979
0 complaints2 recalls
1978
0 complaints3 recalls
1977
0 complaints3 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1971Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1968Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1967
0 complaints2 recalls
1966Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Buick Skylark Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1980 Buick Skylark are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Buick Skylark, consider the 1999, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1966 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

35 model years analyzed