Total Complaints
37 filings
BUICK SKYLARK · model year
1990 BUICK SKYLARK
37 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1990BUICKSKYLARK carries 37 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 SKYLARK is electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator with 3 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (2) and electrical system:ignition (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1990 SKYLARK. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
37
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20030831ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1990 BUICK SKYLARK (QUAD 4 ENGINE)-CHRONIC STALLING DUE TO FAULTY LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER.COIL HOUSING WAS REPLACED 3X IN SIX YEARS .ALLDATA LISTS TECH. SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS.LETTERS TO GM AND BUICK FIELD ZONE OFFICE SEEKING RESTITUTION RECEIVED NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER.*AK
20030831POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
1990 BUICK SKYLARK (QUAD 4 ENGINE)-CHRONIC STALLING DUE TO FAULTY LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER.COIL HOUSING WAS REPLACED 3X IN SIX YEARS .ALLDATA LISTS TECH. SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS.LETTERS TO GM AND BUICK FIELD ZONE OFFICE SEEKING RESTITUTION RECEIVED NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER.*AK
20030206STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS GEAR BOX. SEVERE GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL,EVEN AT A SLIGHT TURN. BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT.
Mileage: 138,000
20030206STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS GEAR BOX. SEVERE GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL,EVEN AT A SLIGHT TURN. BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT.
Mileage: 138,000
20030206POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD JOLTING BANG WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR WHETHER IT IS IN DRIVE,REVERSE OR PARK. DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHEN IN DRIVE GEAR. ALSO HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE HOSE, WHICH DURING MORNING CAR WARM-UP, CAR STARTED SMOKING, WHICH CAME FROM UNDER CAR FROM THE VAC. LINE(FUEL LINE). HAD THE LINE REPAIRED BUT TRANNY IS STILL A PROBLEM.
Mileage: 138,000
20030206FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD JOLTING BANG WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR WHETHER IT IS IN DRIVE,REVERSE OR PARK. DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHEN IN DRIVE GEAR. ALSO HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE HOSE, WHICH DURING MORNING CAR WARM-UP, CAR STARTED SMOKING, WHICH CAME FROM UNDER CAR FROM THE VAC. LINE(FUEL LINE). HAD THE LINE REPAIRED BUT TRANNY IS STILL A PROBLEM.
Mileage: 138,000
20030206FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD JOLTING BANG WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR WHETHER IT IS IN DRIVE,REVERSE OR PARK. DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHEN IN DRIVE GEAR. ALSO HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE HOSE, WHICH DURING MORNING CAR WARM-UP, CAR STARTED SMOKING, WHICH CAME FROM UNDER CAR FROM THE VAC. LINE(FUEL LINE). HAD THE LINE REPAIRED BUT TRANNY IS STILL A PROBLEM.
Mileage: 138,000
20030206FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD JOLTING BANG WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR WHETHER IT IS IN DRIVE,REVERSE OR PARK. DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHEN IN DRIVE GEAR. ALSO HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE HOSE, WHICH DURING MORNING CAR WARM-UP, CAR STARTED SMOKING, WHICH CAME FROM UNDER CAR FROM THE VAC. LINE(FUEL LINE). HAD THE LINE REPAIRED BUT TRANNY IS STILL A PROBLEM.
Mileage: 138,000
20010515STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
MAIN REAR BUMPER SUPPORT HAS RUSTED AWAY - IT'S GONE. GM CLAIMS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THE CAR ONLY HAS APPROX 103,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE! ALL I WANT IS A RECALL FOR THEM TO REPLACE THIS BUMPER SO I CAN SELL IT WITH A CLEAR CONCIENCE!
20010326VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, MOSTLY AT 50 MPH. ALSO ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK. DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENOR ASSEMBLY.*JB
20010326ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, MOSTLY AT 50 MPH. ALSO ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK. DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENOR ASSEMBLY.*JB
20010301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALTERNATOR FOUR TIMES. A MECHANIC WAS TELLING HIM "ALTERNATOR WAS BUILT TOO FRAGILE FOR AMOUNT OF AMPAGE." PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
20000718STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS VEHICLE IS HARD TO STEER. CONTACTED DEALER . STEERING MECHANISM HAS RUSTED AND LOOSENED FROM THE FIREWALLS.*AK
19990210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
STEERING WHEEL HORN FAILED.
19990210EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.
19990210SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FRONT BEARING WHEEL FAILED.
19990210ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAN MOTOR FAILED.
19990110STRUCTURE:BODY
PAINT CHIPPING ON VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE RUST.
19990110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRIC MODULE FAILED.
19980430ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
REPLACED STARTER.
Compare 1990BUICKSKYLARK to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1990 BUICK SKYLARK have?▼
The 1990 BUICK SKYLARK has 37 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 BUICK SKYLARK?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 BUICK SKYLARK is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1990 BUICK SKYLARK safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.