Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Buick Skyhawk. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Buick Skyhawk,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1975–1993 with 18 recall campaigns and 16 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1983 (4), 1987 (2), and 1984 (2).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1987 (4), 1989 (3), and 1993 (2).
Top recall themes: Fuel and emissions, Brakes, and Steering and suspension.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Tires, Steering:hydraulic power assist system, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Fuel and emissions
6 campaigns · Years: 1979, 1982–1983, 1987, 1989
These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Buick Skyhawk in NHTSA complaint data are
Tires, Steering:hydraulic power assist system, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
1993
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Power train.
1992
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers, Visibility:windshield.
1991
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:power window devices and controls.
1989
1
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:clutch assembly:pedal/hand lever(motorcycle), Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock, Structure.
1987
2
4
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Tires, Electrical system:ignition.
1986
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1985
1
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
1984
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1983
4
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering:hydraulic power assist system.
1982
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1978
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1976
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1975
2
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Fuel system
, Seats
and Engine and engine cooling
Show recall evidence by year
1989
Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: A fuel tank leak could occur due to small creases on the tank underside cracking during pressure cycling which occurs during normal operation.
1987
Parking brake: Mechanical:
Safety recall involving the parking brake area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Parking brake lever mechanisms may not properly engage when applied as required by fmvss 105. Consequence of defect: vehicle could unexpectedly roll away uncontrolled, which could result in a vehicle crash.
Fuel system, gasoline: Filler pipe and cap:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Incorrect tail lamp lens were installed, lens do not conform to fmvss 108, lamp reflective device and associated equipment. Consequence of defect: in times of reduced visibility, an approaching vehicle may not be aware of this vehicle which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
1985
Engine and engine cooling:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The engine air cleaner plastic trim cover could fall off the air cleaner assembly and land on the exhaust manifold creating a fire hazard. Consequence of defect: if the car is being operated at the time that the plastic trim cover falls off, an engine compartment fire could occur without warning.
1984
Seats: Recliner:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Some vehicles have bucket seat back locks that do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard 207, anchorage of seats. In event of a crash, the seat back lock may not function.
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The metal floor pan anchor bar could fatigue and break around the left front outer seat adjuster stud of the drivers seat, allowing the stud to separate from the floor pan anchor bar.
1983
Fuel system, gasoline: Injectors:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Possible fuel leakage could occur at the throttle body injection fuel feed pipe connection on the involved vehicles.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Differential proportional valve:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The brake proportioner valves may break and separate from the master cylinder. This would allow brake fluid to leak and would result in a partial loss of the brake system.
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The metal floor pan anchor bar could fatigue and break around the left front outer seat adjuster stud of the drivers seat, allowing the stud to separate from the floor pan anchor bar.
Engine and engine cooling: Crankcase (pcv):
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Internal corrosion of pulsair check valve assembly could permit exhaust gas to melt the plastic shut off valve and draw valve pieces into the air cleaner and throttle body.
1982
Fuel system, gasoline: Filler pipe and cap:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certaain conditions, the hose clamps on the fuel tank filler pipe and fuel tank filler vent pipe could fracture. The fracture of these clamps could cause fuel leakage at any of the four pipe to hose connections. Leakage can occur during refueling, or while driving, if the fuel tank is above
1979
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The carburetor fuel feed hose may not have been properly positioned during assembly. As a result the hose could come in contact with or be too close to the engine emission exhaust system gas recirculation valve. This can cause the hose to rupture.
1978
Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The intermediate shaft coupling on the involved vehicles may have been machined oversized in the serration area where it attaches to the steering column. This would prevent the coupling from properly tightening on the shaft when the clamp and pinch bolt were installed.
1976
Steering: Gear box (other than rack and pinion):
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pads:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Under certain driving conditions, including extended severe braking, the wheel bearing area may encounter temperatures that can cause the grease to migrate out of the bearing area. This will reduce the amount of lubrication available to the bearings and result in front wheel bearing failure and s
Other Buick Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Buick models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
