1990 Buick Skylark Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 138,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Buick Skylark (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Skylark. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling (5) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 138,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. 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.
- Electrical system7 37%
- Engine cooling5 26%
- Steering3 16%
- Body and structure3 16%
- Suspension3 16%
- Brakes2 11%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Equipment1 5.3%
- Seat belts1 5.3%
Also reported: Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “1990 Buick Skylark (quad 4 engine)-chronic stalling due to faulty lockup torque converter.coil housing was replaced 3x in six years .alldata lists tech. Service bulletins concerning these problems.letters to GM and Buick field zone office seeking restitution received no response whatsoever.”
NHTSA complaint #10036945, filed 2003-08Steering: “Steering rack and pinion as well as gear box. Severe grinding noise when turning the steering wheel,even at a slight turn. Been repaired but it is still doing it.”
NHTSA complaint #10005387, filed 2003-02, 138,000 milesMileage 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 138,000 and 138,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Buick Skylark version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skylark FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Skylark FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Skylark FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 90V119000Jun 15, 1990Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Buick Skylark 1990, Oldsmobile Calais 1990
Improperly torqued connections of front fuel feed and return hoses to fuel pipes at the body rail could loosen and leak fuel into the underhood area.
Recall details for the 1990 Buick Skylark → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Buick Skylark have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Skylark as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Buick Skylark is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 5.
Has the 1990 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.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Skylark get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Buick Skylark (Skylark, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Buick Skylark reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 138,000 miles and the middle half falls between 138,000 and 138,000 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 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.