RecallMyCar

1988 Buick Skylark Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1988 Buick Skylark, and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
14
owner complaints to NHTSA
3 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
20–25
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1988 Buick Skylark

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 92V150000 Reported 108,836 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Front fuel feed hose assembly could crack or separate at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.

    Remedy: Replace front fuel feed hose assembly.

  2. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 90V042000 Reported 61,765 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Front fuel feed hose assembly could crack or separate at the coupling on the engine end of the hose assembly, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.

    Remedy: Replace front fuel feed hose assembly.

  3. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 87V169000 Reported 101 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Unexpected loss of tail lamp and side marker lamp function may occur, reducing other drivers ability to see the vehicle.

    Remedy: Replace headlight switch panel.

14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1988 Buick Skylark have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 4 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“While driving over railroad vehicle will start shaking. Consumer has to stop, then vehicle will drive fine. Sometimes has to keep accelerating so engine won't shut down.*ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 23, 2001 · Suspension

“Paint is peeling badly. Various sources of information indicate a defect with certain new paint formulas used during the mid to late 1980's causing chipping and peeling on numerous models of vehicles”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 15, 2000 · Unknown or other

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1988 Buick Skylark. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined20–25 mpg
City / Highway17–21 / 24–31
FuelRegular
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.3/2.5/3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Buick Skylark model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Skylark model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1966 Buick Skylark10
1967 Buick Skylark20
1968 Buick Skylark10
1970 Buick Skylark10
1971 Buick Skylark10
1975 Buick Skylark10
1977 Buick Skylark20
1978 Buick Skylark20
1979 Buick Skylark10
1980 Buick Skylark90
1981 Buick Skylark21
1982 Buick Skylark33
1983 Buick Skylark11
1984 Buick Skylark38
1985 Buick Skylark16
1986 Buick Skylark18
1987 Buick Skylark10
1988 Buick Skylark314
1989 Buick Skylark24
1990 Buick Skylark119
1991 Buick Skylark138
1992 Buick Skylark332
1993 Buick Skylark146
1994 Buick Skylark268
1995 Buick Skylark185
1996 Buick Skylark485
1997 Buick Skylark379
1998 Buick Skylark124
2000 Buick Skylark01

Checking a specific 1988 Buick Skylark

How do I know if my 1988 Buick Skylark has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1988 Buick Skylark; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buick dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 87V169000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Buick models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.