- The problem
- The engine-to-body ground cable on certain vehicles may have been damaged during manufacture. The cable could eventually break due to the relative motion between the engine and body during vehicle operation.
- The fix
- A new ground cable will be installed free of charge.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Buick Skylark Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1981 Buick Skylark with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (1). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in March 1981 for the cables. For comparison, the 1980 has 0 and the 1982 has 3.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical Skylark year, for its age
#27 most complained-about 1981 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1981 Buick Skylark problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1981 Buick Skylark recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The involved vehicles may have been assembled with the power steering hose incorrectly routed. The power steering hose may then contact the exhaust manifold, resulting in deterioration and eventual failure of the hose and leakage of power steering fluid onto the exhaust manifold.
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the hoses and inlet pipe and add a clip at no charge to owner.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 1981 Buick Skylark
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS.
Buick Skylark: every year compared
All Skylark years1981 Buick Skylark vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Buick Skylark | 1 | 2 | A | |
| 1981 Buick Century | 1 | 3 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1981 Buick Skylark
Does the 1981 Buick Skylark have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1981 Buick Skylark: cables (March 1981); hose, piping, and connections (October 1980). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1981 Buick Skylark?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (1).
How many complaints has the 1981 Buick Skylark had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 3, 1995 and the latest on May 3, 1995. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1981 Buick Skylark a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 79 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Buick Skylark year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Skylark years have the most complaints?
1995 (90), 1996 (88), 1997 (87). See every Buick Skylark year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Buick Skylark has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data