BUICK SKYLARK · model year

1995 BUICK SKYLARK

119 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995BUICKSKYLARK carries 119 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, 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 1995 SKYLARK is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 11 filings, followed by electrical system:horn (10) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (9). 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 1995 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.

119
Complaints
9
Crashes
4
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

119 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS5
AIR BAGS5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
SEAT BELTS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY2

Recent Complaints

20171217AIR BAGS

AIRBAG IS WORN OUT. HORN QUIT WORKING. THERE IS STILL NO RECALL ON THIS. MORE FAULTY DESIGN. THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO HAVE A DESIGN WHERE THE HORN WON'T WORK.

Mileage: 150,000

20170718AIR BAGS

AIRBAG DEVELOPS A PROBLEM WHERE THE HORN IS VERY SENSITIVE AND SOMETIMES DEPLOYS ON ITS OWN. OTHER TIMES IT WON'T WORK AT ALL. A HORN GOING OFF AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES COULD CONFUSE OTHER DRIVERS AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.THE PARTICULAR PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BY GM BUT THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THEM NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

Mileage: 149,000

20141026AIR BAGS

MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE HORN SWITCH. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE THE HORN SWITCH BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, WHICH HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. I HAD TO HAVE A BYPASS SWITCH INSTALLED ON THE DASHBOARD, WHICH IS INCONVENIENT AND AWKWARD TO USE. IN MY OPINION, THE HORN IS A MORE IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THAN THE AIR BAG. I AM 71 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER SEEN AN AIR BAG DEPLOY, BUT MY HORN HAS PREVENTED ACCIDENTS MANY TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20141026ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE HORN SWITCH. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE THE HORN SWITCH BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, WHICH HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. I HAD TO HAVE A BYPASS SWITCH INSTALLED ON THE DASHBOARD, WHICH IS INCONVENIENT AND AWKWARD TO USE. IN MY OPINION, THE HORN IS A MORE IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THAN THE AIR BAG. I AM 71 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER SEEN AN AIR BAG DEPLOY, BUT MY HORN HAS PREVENTED ACCIDENTS MANY TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20060531STRUCTURE

THE GM N-BODY CARS FROM 1992-1995 HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAD THIS FIXED FOR $350 AT A GM DEALER A FEW YEARS BACK BUT THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING. WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND SOAKS THE CARPET. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS WASHED OR WHEN IT RAINS. MY CAR IS A 1995 SKYLARK, BUT THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO OTHER GM CARS FROM THESE YEARS TOO. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW. CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE HAD OVER 100 YEARS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP WATER OUT OF A VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TOO IN ORDER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ME HAVING TO GO BACK TO A GM DEALER TO LOSE MORE MONEY ON A TEMPORARY FIX. IF THIS PROBLEM IS LEFT UNCHECKED, IT WILL CAUSE RUST-THROUGH IN THE FIREWALL AND FLOORBOARDS. I WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE CONSIDERED BUYING THIS CAR HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *NM

Mileage: 101,400

20060124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN FAILED, THE FUSE WAS INSPECTED AND HAD MELTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE HORN SWITCH STUCK CAUSING THE HORN TO SHORT OUT AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE HORN, HORN RELAY, AND WIRING HARNESS WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 72,000

20060124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN FAILED, THE FUSE WAS INSPECTED AND HAD MELTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE HORN SWITCH STUCK CAUSING THE HORN TO SHORT OUT AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE HORN, HORN RELAY, AND WIRING HARNESS WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 72,000

20040906STEERING:COLUMN

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING COLUMN BOLT DIS-LODGED CAUSING THE STEERING TO BE ALMOST IN-OPERABLE, THIS ALSO RESULTED IN THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS TO GO OUT AND STOP WORKING. I HAVE PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TWICE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED , INCLUDING HAVING REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL AND CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE AUTOMOBILE.*AK

Mileage: 150,000

20040504EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH

CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE HIGH BEAM LIGHT BUTTON IN ORDER FOR THE HIGH BEAM TO WORK. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE LIGHTS, WIPERS, SIGNALS, AND THE HORN ARE ALL LOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH MAY GO OUT AS WELL. *SC *JB

Mileage: 80,000

20031105ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN AUG 2001 I HAD TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS BECOMING NON OPERATIVE. IN FEB 2002 I STARTED TO HAVE RANDOM OCCURENCES OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEING NONFUNCTIONAL WHILE THE SWITCH WAS BEING OPERATED, USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. IN JUNE 2003 THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS STARTED TO RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL WHEN ACTIVATED, OTHER TIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE TURN WOULD BE COMPLETED. IN SEPT 2003 THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT OPERATE NORMALLY, WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE SIGNAL INDICTACTING A LEFT TURN, THE SIGNAL WILL ACTIVATE, BUT IT WILL NOT BLINK, THE LIGHT JUST COMES ON AND STAYS LIKE THAT. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SWITCH IN THE ON AND OFF POSISTION IN A CONTINOUS MOTION TO USE THE SIGNAL. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION WHEN ACTIVATED. ALL THE LAMPS H

Mileage: 90,000

20031105EQUIPMENT

IN AUG 2001 I HAD TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS BECOMING NON OPERATIVE. IN FEB 2002 I STARTED TO HAVE RANDOM OCCURENCES OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEING NONFUNCTIONAL WHILE THE SWITCH WAS BEING OPERATED, USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. IN JUNE 2003 THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS STARTED TO RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL WHEN ACTIVATED, OTHER TIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE TURN WOULD BE COMPLETED. IN SEPT 2003 THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT OPERATE NORMALLY, WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE SIGNAL INDICTACTING A LEFT TURN, THE SIGNAL WILL ACTIVATE, BUT IT WILL NOT BLINK, THE LIGHT JUST COMES ON AND STAYS LIKE THAT. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SWITCH IN THE ON AND OFF POSISTION IN A CONTINOUS MOTION TO USE THE SIGNAL. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION WHEN ACTIVATED. ALL THE LAMPS H

Mileage: 90,000

20031105EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

IN AUG 2001 I HAD TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS BECOMING NON OPERATIVE. IN FEB 2002 I STARTED TO HAVE RANDOM OCCURENCES OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEING NONFUNCTIONAL WHILE THE SWITCH WAS BEING OPERATED, USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. IN JUNE 2003 THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS STARTED TO RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL WHEN ACTIVATED, OTHER TIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE TURN WOULD BE COMPLETED. IN SEPT 2003 THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT OPERATE NORMALLY, WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE SIGNAL INDICTACTING A LEFT TURN, THE SIGNAL WILL ACTIVATE, BUT IT WILL NOT BLINK, THE LIGHT JUST COMES ON AND STAYS LIKE THAT. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SWITCH IN THE ON AND OFF POSISTION IN A CONTINOUS MOTION TO USE THE SIGNAL. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION WHEN ACTIVATED. ALL THE LAMPS H

Mileage: 90,000

20031105EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

IN AUG 2001 I HAD TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS BECOMING NON OPERATIVE. IN FEB 2002 I STARTED TO HAVE RANDOM OCCURENCES OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEING NONFUNCTIONAL WHILE THE SWITCH WAS BEING OPERATED, USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. IN JUNE 2003 THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS STARTED TO RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL WHEN ACTIVATED, OTHER TIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE TURN WOULD BE COMPLETED. IN SEPT 2003 THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT OPERATE NORMALLY, WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE SIGNAL INDICTACTING A LEFT TURN, THE SIGNAL WILL ACTIVATE, BUT IT WILL NOT BLINK, THE LIGHT JUST COMES ON AND STAYS LIKE THAT. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SWITCH IN THE ON AND OFF POSISTION IN A CONTINOUS MOTION TO USE THE SIGNAL. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION WHEN ACTIVATED. ALL THE LAMPS H

Mileage: 90,000

20030804CrashSEAT BELTS

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND BURNED DRIVER'S ARM. *AK THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE BUCKLE. THE OCCUPANT HAD THE SQUEEZE UNDER THE SEAT BELT TO GET OUT. *SCC *NLM

Mileage: 59,343

20030804CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND BURNED DRIVER'S ARM. *AK THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE BUCKLE. THE OCCUPANT HAD THE SQUEEZE UNDER THE SEAT BELT TO GET OUT. *SCC *NLM

Mileage: 59,343

20030730CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND BURNED THE DRIVER'S ARM. THE CHILD IN FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT AND THE CHILD IN REAR WERE ALSO INJURED. *AK

20030617SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD THROW CONSUMER FORWARD. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20021203AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYMENT. ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTAL LOST ON A COLLISION DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER OR MANUFACTURE WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. TS

20020909TIRES

THERE WAS A SPLIT IN SIDEWALL OF REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. MODEL SPORT MASTER, GLT, SIZE P19570R14, DOT # U9J9, NOT ORIGINAL TIRES.*AK THE TIRE RAPIDLY LOST AIR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE, COOPER TIRES. *JG

20020808ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS VEHICLE BURNS 1.5QTS A WEEK. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED THEREFORE I CAN`T SAY SPECIFICALY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS,BUT I HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *AK

Compare 1995BUICKSKYLARK to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 BUICK SKYLARK have?
The 1995 BUICK SKYLARK has 119 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 BUICK SKYLARK?
The most-complained component for the 1995 BUICK SKYLARK is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1995 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.