1988 Buick Skylark Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 Buick Skylark has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 170,702 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 92V150000 1992-10-19 108,836 affected
Defect

FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 90V042000 1990-03-05 61,765 affected
Defect

FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 87V169000 1987-10-26 101 affected
Defect

UNEXPECTED LOSS OF TAIL LAMP AND SIDE MARKER LAMP FUNCTION MAY OCCUR, REDUCING OTHER DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGIN CONDITIONS OF POOR VISIBILITY, SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME.

Remedy

REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH PANEL.

Complaints by component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
2crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
1
1fires
SEAT BELTS
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
Total complaints17

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“While driving over railroad vehicle will start shaking. Consumer has to stop, then vehicle will drive fine. Sometimes has to keep accelerating so engine won't shut down.*ak”

SUSPENSION · reported 2001-02-23

“Started the vehicle and put the gear in reverse and the vehicle accelerated backwards without putting foot on gas pedal. Put vehicle in neutral, the vehicle was out of control and went into the neighbor's back yard and hit a tree. Vehicle was towed to dealer. *ak”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 1998-04-18

“Driving down highway and car cut off, restarted and attempted to pull off the road, noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. Raised hood and flames were coming from underneath. Insurance expert said cause of fire was from fuel feed hose . *ak *slc”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · reported 1997-10-07

“Driving down highway and car cut off, restarted and attempted to pull off the road, noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. Raised hood and flames were coming from underneath. Insurance expert said cause of fire was from fuel feed hose . *ak *slc”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL · reported 1997-10-07

“Inadequate or soft brakes contributed to a crash.”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 1997-10-01

“While driving and put the car in reverse the vehicle takes off and the only way the vehicle will stop if the driver hit something. Also driver noticed that the vehicle will pick up speed not when vehicle is on level road. *ak”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 1997-07-27

“When putting the vehicle in reverse, it suddenly accelerates, and applying the brakes the vehicle is still accelerates. Cause of this acceleration is unknown. *ak”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 1997-06-04

“Brake pedal too close to accelerator pedal, causing them to be depressed simultaneously, resulting in an accident. *dh”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · reported 1996-03-11

Defect investigations

Investigation EA89010 Opened 1989-01-17 · closed 1990-05-08

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA90041 Opened 1990-08-29 · closed 1992-03-30

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

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Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Buick Skylark as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.