1994 Buick Skylark problems & reliability
68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 Buick Skylark, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
5 complaints report injuries (5 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 17 | 25% |
| Electrical System → | 12 | 18% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 12 | 18% |
| Steering → | 11 | 16% |
| Air Bags | 6 | 9% |
| Equipment | 5 | 7% |
| Power Train | 4 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 4% |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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 put on slow charge and…”
Electrical System · filed Apr 7, 2013
“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 are many reports of…”
Steering · filed Dec 30, 2011
“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 computer was replaced by a…”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Aug 22, 2006
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- STEERING COLUMN FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA00007 · opened Mar 3, 2000 · closed Feb 7, 2001 · led to recall 00V287000
Technical service bulletins
42 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1994 Buick Skylark. The 10 most recent:
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696E · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 22, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 5, 2019
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to…
PIC4696C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 31, 2018
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Vehicles may set anyone or a combination of front-wheel speed sensor anti-lock brake system codes as intermittent or hard failures. Gm voicemail express. *tt
04152004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 15, 2004
Anti-lock braking system (abs) front wheel speed codes - jumper harness. *tt
00966 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Abs front wheel speed codes - jumper harness. *tt
00966B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Revised piston pin removal / installation procedure. *tt
010601002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2002
Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine…
990730030A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some owners may comment on driveability symptons of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or intermittent misfire due to clogged fuel injectors. *tt
990604005A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1994 Buick Skylark has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1994 Buick Skylark?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.