The 1994 Buick Skylark has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 701,298 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE AND THE DRIVER HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, PRODUCING HEAT THAT CAN MELT SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence
A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT AND VERIFY THAT THE VEHICLE WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION (ADEQUATE RESERVE CAPACITY, OR COLD CRANKING AMPS). THIS CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER BATTERY REPLACEMENT OR UNRELATED STARTING SYSTEM OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS.
THESE VEHICLES WERE CONSTRUCTED WITH WELDS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT PAN ASSEMBLY THAT ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
12
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5
5crashes1fires3injuries1deaths
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
5
STEERING
5
STEERING:COLUMN
5
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
Total complaints95
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Tilt steering wheel assembly failed and steering wheel became detached from the steering column. Upon further inspection the pins came out of the assembly and the assembly shows extreme wear where the pins should insert. Pins cannot be reinstalled. Requires replacement of steering column. There…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“While driving 30 mph, the consumer would hear a clunking noise. The dealership repaired the front driver side axle. Please provide more information. *jb.....passenger's axle broke six months ago, and currently the driver's side axle broke. It seemed impossible that both axles would be defective…”
“While driving steering wheel loosened. Dealership informed the consumer that three steering bolts failed on the steering column. The problem was not resolved. *ak”
“Consumer states that while driving at any speed and without warning vehicle will shut off, causing consumer to pull over. Dealer notified.*ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA00007 Opened 2000-03-03 · closed 2001-02-07
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Buick Skylark as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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