Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 34 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.8 times the median Skylark year — the 1998 model ranks #9 of 29 Skylark years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (6), speed control (6), and engine (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
34
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 18% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 6 | 18% | — flat |
| Airbags | 4 | 12% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 4 | 12% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 4 | 12% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Steering | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 3% | — flat |
3 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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“CONSUMER BEGAN TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, CRASHED THROUGH A WALL, AND THROUGH A COUPLE TABLES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC”
“SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER HAS TO HOLD THE KEY IN THE CRANK POSITION UNTIL THE VEHICLE WILL START. THERE IS A DELAY IN STARTING. *AK”
“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND HAS BEEN RUNNING, IT IS MORE LIKELY TO SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK”
“TL* THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYES AND THE DRIVER…”
“ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE HAS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED TO DISENGAGE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED PROBLEM ONCE, BUT IT SEEMED TO HAVE REOCCURD. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YH”
NHTSA data argues against it: 34 complaints put the 1998 model at #9 of 29 Skylark years. It is one of the Skylark years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (6 complaints), speed control (6 complaints), engine (4 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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.