The hub portion of the fan blade assembly could crack due to high stress levels generated during engine operating conditions. Eventually, the blade could break apart at the hub and blade pieces could be propelled into the engine. If the hood is open while the...
Engine & cooling
Buick Skylark Engine problems by year
90 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Buick Skylark's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
Latest Skylark engine complaints
Manifold gasket failed, leaking coolant into engine oil. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick skylark. While driving approximately 25 to 35 mph, the radiator began leaking fluid. On june 22, 2006, a radiator was installed at 2,000 miles. The independent mechanic offered to re-diagnose the failure at the contact's expense. The dealer stated that they would have installed the same parts at the same rate. The vehicle can be driven; however, it continues to leak fluid. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick skylark. After parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that the water pump was leaking. There were no warning lights present prior to the failure. He checked the water and oil levels daily. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The failure mileage was 26,000 and current mileage was 27,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick skylark. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked antifreeze onto the motor, which then leaked onto the ground. The dealer stated that the failure resided in the lower intake manifold and they would repair it for a fee. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 72,992 and failure mileage was 62,000.
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
I own a 1994 buick skylark. It developed a coolant leak. I had the heater core replaced on advise of a mechanic that until recently was at a gm dealership. It still leaked when the engine was cold. It was then determined that it was the water pump so I had that replaced. It still leaked. Now I have to have the lower intake manifold gasket replaced at an estimated cost of $660.00. I have contacted gm dealerships and independent mechanics in regards to the manifold gasket and have been told that the problem...
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with the gasket is that it is a defective design and that many lower intake manifold gaskets have been replaced on the skylarks because of this defect. Apparently gm decided to use a plastic gasket as opposed to the paper composite gasket and this is the cause of so many vehicles having to have this gasket replaced. I strongly feel that gm should have issued a recall on this problem when it became apparent that it was due to a defect in design. *Jb
We drove from home to olathe, ks and back to a kohl's at shawnee station on our way home. We parked the buick and when I tried to start the buick it failed to start. I thought it might be the battery. I waited a few minutes and tried to start the buick. The buick started but white smoke come out of the tailpipe and it began to shake tremendously like we were in a big storm. We had the buick towed to firestone and they said the air manifold rings let the anti-freeze up the motor and the shaking caused oil to leak. We were fortunate that this didn't happen somewhere else. *Jb
Faulty design of intake manifold on gm 3.8L engine used in 1998 thru 2004 engine. Plastic housing melts enough after 80,000 to allow engine coolant into the combustion chamber causing engine to hydrolock without warning. Car becomes immediately undrivable. *Jb
Vehicle stalled while driving in traffic. *Bf the vehicle was inspected by a mechanic but he was unable to duplicate the problem. *Nm
While driving at 55 mph engine failed intermittently. *Ak
Ac heating - heater core went out- ac still not working computer control- buick reprogrammed computer chip- my complaint was erratic idling. It fixed problem. Paint peeling this year struts and springs on suspension are not lasting long tires- probably my fault for not rotating transmission- I replaced it with salvaged one at 170,000- heard a lot of complaints about this 4t60e transmission. Brakes- front ones last 1,000 miles. I replace all hardware. Steering-listen to this-the pivot pins on my tilt steering fell...
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out and the steering wheel was on my lap.Car could still drive. I epoxied new pivot pins in and this solved the problem. All repairs done by me, except for the computer reprogramming-i thought it was a design problem and they should have fixed it for no charge. They did not. Heard friends tell me g.M cars eat up alternators and I have experienced this three times. Thank you!
PAINT PEALING OFF ROOF, LITTLE BY LITTLE
The engine of my car is a mess. It has always had a problem with the cooling system since I bought it three years ago. I have had this vehicle worked on so many times it is crazy. Now it seems that I need a new head gasket and whatever else cylinder one is kicking reports on. I will probably end up having to get another vehicle and I still owe $4,000.00 On this one. What the heck...
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and without warning vehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over. Dealer notified.*Ak
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
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