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Electrical system

Buick Skylark Electrical problems by year

102 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Buick Skylark's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Electrical complaints by model year

YearElectrical complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20001000
19986001
199714002
199615101
199530011
199412111
19934001
19925000
19917000
19906000
19881000
19841000
19810001
19790001

Electrical recalls

Latest Skylark electrical complaints

1998 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick skylark. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start and the anti-theft warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that it took multiple attempts to start the vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the starter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v036000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10837851
1995 Buick SkylarkElectrical systemAirbags

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

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 10650040
1997 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick skylark. The contact stated that the anti-theft system would activate independently, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. The failure was recurring with the illumination of the anti-theft warning light. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start with the key in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who diagnosed that the instrument panel cluster or central computer would need to be replaced. The contact was then referred to an authorized dealer for possible repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10576917
1994 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

On 11/14/2012 I bought an excide car battery from national auto in bangor, pa. Battery ran for about 2 mos. Then started to give me problems. After sitting for 2 days it would not start. Had car battery jumped 3 times. Between 01/ 2013 and 02/ 10/2013. Battery completely dead on 02/11/2013. Was put on slow charge and ran for another 2 days and died again. Took battery back to national auto on 02/17/2013. Before taking it there I had alternator, starter and wires checked .. Everything ok.. Returned to...

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store. Service person checked it and said battery was charged...Told him impossible because it was dead in car and we just took it out. He gave me another battery. Worked fine until palm sunday...Dead battery...Aaa came out and jumped car...Worked until 04/04/2013. Called car stop about problem....Guy sent out.. He checked battery output only 10...Need 12 volts to start car. Also had starter and alternator checked again...No problems there. Took car to shop next day...New battery installed. Called national auto about problem....Told to bring it back... I did so this morning 04/07/2013 and was told that since it is holding a charge he can't give me my money back...I told him " what am I suppose to do with 2 batteries" told me to bring it back when store manager is there on tues am or wed. I am a 68 yr old senior woman...I feel like I am being taken advantage of. Why should I have to keep going back...I do not have an extra hundred dollars to spend just to let battery sit in cellar. I want my money back. I am not the first person to have problems with this brand battery. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10507409
1997 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

1997 Buick skylark. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle recall *tgw the consumer was informed there was a short in the wiring system which was causing the battery to die. The consumer referenced recall # 02v070000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10433382
1997 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

The car had been stalling for more than a year but not as frequent. The most dangerous time it stalled was in the middle of interstate 240n. My wife and child was with me. It was rush hour and there were lots of traffic. We were terrified! Once I merged over to the side of the highway, we had to wait for about 20 minutes before the car started again. Mind you, we are on the side of a busy and dangerous interstate highway. I noticed when I tried to start the car after it had stalled, the theft system light...

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was flashing. I had no idea why the theft system light was flashing or if it had anything to do with the car not starting. I called a technician I know and explained to him that the car sounded like it was to start but keep stalling. He asked me to look at the dash and tell him what I saw. The theft system light was flashing, it remained on for a while, then it went out after about 15 minutes. He told me to try to start the car again. It started. This (the car stalls, wait awhile, then it starts) went on for awhile. On september 15, 2009, I went out to start the car to take my child to school and the car would not start. To this day, I can not get my car to start and the theft system light is still flashing. There are several people I know who own buick skylarks and are having similar problems with the theft system. Some have gotten several things replaced such as the key, the switch, etc and have yet to have this problem corrected. It seems to be a problem with the buick skylarks theft system manufactured around 1997! Is there anything being done or will there be something done to correct this problem? This could cause serious injuries and/or deaths! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10291114
1998 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

I had both 1999 and 1998 intrigues, both had problems with their running lights and blinking lights failing. Replace fuses, reblow. Sent to mechanics numerous times, unable to resolve. However, they said this was electrical problem with vehicle make. My supervisor said he noticed many intrigues on road with problems, and since then, I notice many intrigues with same problem. Maybe not immediate danger, but when blinker doesn't work, it creates a danger of being rear-ended. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10265712
1996 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick skylark. All of the gauges on the instrument panel were fluctuating up and down. Neither the speedometer nor the fuel gauge displayed accurate readings. The dealer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle and that the repair would be the contact's responsibility. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number 02v070000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The current and failure mileages were 86,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10240572
1996 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

While on vacation we took a trip. On the way home at night all electricity devices started to die. I got off the highway the vehicle died and wouldn't start. I had it towed home and it hasn't started since. I turn the key and get nothing. When I turn the key on, the passlock system light is lit and never goes out. The battery is fully charged and I can start the car if I jump the starter but not from the key. All other electrical devices work fine. *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10203522
1994 Buick SkylarkEngine & coolingElectrical systemCrash1 injury

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle engine hesitated, then stalled completely. The vehicle lost power assist steering, and power assist braking. After being restarted, the vehicle stalled several more times. The vehicle was taken in for ervice. Previously, the on-board computer was replaced by a service dealer in an attempt to correct the same problem.*Ak updated 12/01/06. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10166235
1995 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10148440
1998 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

Dt: contact stated that on 7-11-05 had a new alternator put in. It failed on 8-13-05., And it was replaced on 8-14-05. It is not showing up on the tester as consistent. It was arching and draining the battery. The part number for the alternator was #8225-7. They will replace it in a certain amount of time; but that did not help the call now because car died the freeway. A mechanic told her they were putting bad regulators in these alternators. This included the following companies;: car quest, and bbb industries; 5640 commerce east, mobile, al 36619. Palladium; box 2710 ronoake, va 24001. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10133015
1998 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

Sometimes when starting the vehicle driver has to hold the key in the crank position until the vehicle will start. There is a delay in starting. *Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 10061668
1998 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

Consumer received recall 040025000 concerning ignition switch. Dealer charged consumer for replacing the ignition switch .*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10061614
1998 Buick SkylarkElectrical system

Consumer complained about ignition switch problem. When turning the key vehicle will not start. *Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 10061611

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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