1986 Buick Skylark Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 135,014miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Buick Skylark (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Skylark. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and seat belts (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 135,014 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling2 25%
- Equipment2 25%
- Seat belts2 25%
- Electrical system1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
- Wheels1 13%
Example complaints
Equipment: “I am a college student. I commute about 50 miles to school and back. I was in brick nj on rt 70 about to enter the parkway when I saw smoke coming out of my hood. Before this happened I was using gallons of coolant in my car. I pulled over and got out and opened my hood so the car could cool. It was then drive able to the nearest mechanic where he replaced my intake gasket. During the duration of this day event I had to miss 1 class and had to ask my father to drive me so I wouldnt miss my other two exams for the day. The intake cost me 527.35.”
NHTSA complaint #10078537, filed 2004-06, 72,060 milesSeat belts: “Seat belt retractors for both left and right side inoperable, rendering seatbelt unusable. The plunger activated by the closing of front car doors has a cable attatched to release the belts. The cable for both front doors is broken. This causes the seat belts to remain locked, therefore driver and front passenger cannot use their restraints. I believe this to be a manufacturing or materials defect that should be repaired by the automaker or supplier.”
NHTSA complaint #706329, filed 1999-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,060 and 197,967 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V014000Jan 8, 1988Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Buick Skylark 1986, Regal 1985–1986
Under extended headlamp usage, circuitry in the headlamp switch panel might experience increased resistance and excessive heat buildup.
Recall details for the 1986 Buick Skylark → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA91045Seat belt separationClosed · Nov 7, 1991
- PE91099Safety belt cut at d-ringClosed · Jul 15, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Buick Skylark.
Other model years of the Buick Skylark
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 24 | 94,500 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 79 | 55,033 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 85 | 95,280 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 85 | 90,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 68 | 110,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 46 | — | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 32 | — | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 38 | 88,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 19 | 138,000 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 14 | — | 3 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 135,014 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 8 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Skylark model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Buick Skylark have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1986 Buick Skylark as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Buick Skylark is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.
Has the 1986 Buick Skylark been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Buick Skylark reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 135,014 miles and the middle half falls between 72,060 and 197,967 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.