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Vehicle safety record

1985 Buick Skylark Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 1985 Buick Skylark with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (2) and the fuel system (2). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 1984 for the springs. For comparison, the 1984 has 8 and the 1986 has 8.

NHTSA data checked

BFewer problems than a typical Skylark year, for its age

#43 most complained-about 1985 vehicle

Complaints
6
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1985 Buick Skylark problems

Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1985 Buick Skylark recalls 1

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

Vehicle speed control: springs

84V1320002,130 vehicles affected

The problem
The throttle linkage may bind because during normal operation, the throttle body case may interfere with the linkage. This interference could prevent the throttle from closing even though the driver has removed his foot from the accelerator pedal.
The fix
The dealer will inspect vehicles and improve the clearance between the accelerator linkage and throttle body casing if needed, at no charge to owner.

What owners say

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6 complaints about the 1985 Buick Skylark

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Other & unknown

Provide in detail what safety defects the vehicle is experiencing. No safety defect listed in the summary. *Ak

Filed Unknown or otherNHTSA 858870
Engine & coolingFuel system

Hi! I don't know if this is applicable if I am not the original owner. I was on the freeway...Car just died, no problem with restarting, just like no fuel going to motor, after cooling down for a while , it was "okay"mechanic could find nothing wrong. I finally had to go to get a catalytic convertor, in nov./1999 And now in january of 2000, I need a new convertor, again. The repairman said it was running too rich, causing the inside of the convertor to melt, and then break inside. A new one in 2 months??? Please...

Read the full complaint

excuse this plea if I am not suppose to be writing as the second owner. The first owner was a little old lady, and those are original miles. I got the car at 16,500 miles. You would think it was a good thing to have so few miles...Apparently not. Help??!! Thanks in advance. Camie gleghorn. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 717192
Engine & coolingFire

Engine failed resulting in vehicle fire under the hood and quickly spread to the rest of the vehicle.(Ohio traffic crash report) nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 549322
Steering

Steering; power steering, steering effort increases during cold start temporary lack of power steering, can not make a right turn ea87-006. *Ak

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 981284
SteeringFuel system

Power steering fluid is not getting to the bracket. Tt consumer states steering bracket is going out, power steering fluid does not reach bearing, this is what consumer was told by two different buick dealers consumer states what is dangerous about this, is when you want to turn right or left it sticks and vehicle want sto continue to go straigh. Also consumer has a fuel leak the fumes are coming inside vehicle very strong odor have to keep the windows down.*Jb

Filed Steering · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 973321
Visibility & wipers

HEATER FAILS TO HEAT VEHICLE PROPERLY. *SKD

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 481272

Buick Skylark: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19894302Fuel systemC
198814431BrakesD
19870200-A
19868200Engine & coolingC
19856101Engine & coolingB
19848401BrakesC
19831100BrakesA
19823300BrakesD
19811200BrakesA
All Skylark years

1985 Buick Skylark vs rivals

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.

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Questions about the 1985 Buick Skylark

Does the 1985 Buick Skylark have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1985 Buick Skylark: springs (October 1984). 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 1985 Buick Skylark?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (2), fuel system (2), steering (2).

How many complaints has the 1985 Buick Skylark had?

6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 13, 1995 and the latest on March 20, 2000. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1985 Buick Skylark a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 66 out of 100 (grade B: 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?
What should I do if my 1985 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

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