1997 Buick Skylark problems
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Buick Skylark. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 20% of complaints. Next are electrical system (14%) and air bags (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 111 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 9 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 8 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 16 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 1 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 16 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 55,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 9 complaints mention a crash; 8 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Buick Skylark with enough data (69 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
When vehicle was parked on an incline, 5 year old son was able to put vehicle in gear without keys in the ignition. The vehicle was in park with the steering wheel locked. When vehicle began to roll backwards, child became scared, jumped out of vehicle, vehicle rolled over child and hit an embankment before stopping. Please provide any further details.
When the brakes are applied the pedal becomes soft, causing extended stopping distances which resulted in two minor collisions. The passenger sustained minor injuries.also, brake pads were replaced . Manufacturer has been notified.
When making a left hand turn steering wheel was hard to turn, and made a loud dragging noise. Dealerships mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Power windows - very slow going up and down for the last two years. All 4 window regulators and motors have stopped working at the same time. Cannot put windows down to get out of car if it lands in a canal or waterway along the highway. Cost $500.00 a window to have them replaced. Friend has a 2002 buick and all 4 window regulators and motors do not work.