Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 111 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 22.2 times the median Skylark year — the 1997 model ranks #3 of 29 Skylark years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (22), electrical system (17), and engine (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
111
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
0
Investigations
9
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 22 | 20% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 17 | 15% | — flat |
| Engine | 14 | 13% | — flat |
| Airbags | 12 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 6 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 6 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 6 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 5 | 5% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 5 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 3 | 3% | — flat |
| Steering | 3 | 3% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | — flat |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Defect
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
Consequence
A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence
IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Defect
THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER WAS OMITTED. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED AND CAN CONTACT THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.
Consequence
THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.
Defect
DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, SOME WELDS WERE MISSED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION, THE VEHICLE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WILL NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED CAUSING UNEXPECTED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK OR FUEL LINES, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF THIS IS A FUEL LEAK AND AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE MISSING WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE THREE WHELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS APPLYING PRIMER, SEALER AND ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL BECOMES SOFT, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH RESULTED IN TWO MINOR COLLISIONS. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.ALSO, BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED . MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”
“HORN BUTTON IS UNDER AIRBAG IN ORDER TO FIX AIRBAG MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $800 OR I REMOVE THE FUSE, I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE AIRBAG FOR A SIMPLE BUTTON SO THIS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. SINCE I HAVE NO HORN AM DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR MY AND MY KIDS SAFETY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY (NEED TO ALERT…”
“1. DURING COLD MONTHS VEHICLE STARTS FINE, THEN WHILE DRIVING, WILL STALL- OFTEN UPON ACCELERATION AT A LIGHT OR INTERSECTION. 2) DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED 3) KNOB FOR HEADLIGHT CONTROL BROKE AT STEM 4) GLOVE BOX LATCH BROKE INTO PIECES 5) LIGHTER FELL APART WHEN A CELL PHONE WAS…”
“AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES. *AK”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, BUT DID NOT COME TO…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 111 complaints put the 1997 model at #3 of 29 Skylark years. It is one of the Skylark years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (22 complaints), electrical system (17 complaints), engine (14 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Buick Skylark. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Skylark years to avoid are 1995, 1996, 1997, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1998. The cleanest record among Skylark years belongs to 1987.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.