1997 Buick Skylark Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1997 Buick Skylark, and owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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3 safety recalls for the 1997 Buick Skylark
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Switch (electrical system)
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began march 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…
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Electrical system: front underhood
The protective cover for the underhood fuse center was omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed and can contact the insulated negative battery cable. If the insulation on the negative cable becomes sufficiently worn, an electrical short circuit can occur between the positive terminal and…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.
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Tank assembly (fuel system)
During assembly of the left rear quarter panel, some welds were missed. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the missing welds and, if necessary, place three whelds between the involved panels applying primer, sealer and anti-corrosion materials.
79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Buick Skylark have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA; 8 describe a crash. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 65,178 miles. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 17 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The entire time i have owned this car, there have been issues with the ABS - especially when the road is wet and driving down hill. When applying the brakes in these conditions, the car does not alway”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 24, 2015 · Service brakes
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick skylark. The contact stated that the air bags deployed unexpectedly. A police report was not filed and an injury was sustained. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 10, 2014 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Buick Skylark. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–19 / 26–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/3.1 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Buick Skylark model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Skylark model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 Buick Skylark | 2 | 0 |
| 1968 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 Buick Skylark | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 Buick Skylark | 2 | 0 |
| 1979 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 Buick Skylark | 9 | 0 |
| 1981 Buick Skylark | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 Buick Skylark | 3 | 3 |
| 1983 Buick Skylark | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 Buick Skylark | 3 | 8 |
| 1985 Buick Skylark | 1 | 6 |
| 1986 Buick Skylark | 1 | 8 |
| 1987 Buick Skylark | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 Buick Skylark | 3 | 14 |
| 1989 Buick Skylark | 2 | 4 |
| 1990 Buick Skylark | 1 | 19 |
| 1991 Buick Skylark | 1 | 38 |
| 1992 Buick Skylark | 3 | 32 |
| 1993 Buick Skylark | 1 | 46 |
| 1994 Buick Skylark | 2 | 68 |
| 1995 Buick Skylark | 1 | 85 |
| 1996 Buick Skylark | 4 | 85 |
| 1997 Buick Skylark | 3 | 79 |
| 1998 Buick Skylark | 1 | 24 |
| 2000 Buick Skylark | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1997 Buick Skylark
How do I know if my 1997 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 1997 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 02V070000).
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
- Lesabre3,728 complaints
- Regal3,264 complaints
- Enclave2,501 complaints
- Lacrosse2,122 complaints
- Century1,817 complaints
- Park Avenue1,368 complaints
- Rendezvous1,241 complaints
- Lucerne943 complaints
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.