1991 Buick Skylark Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles, 3 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
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Buick Skylark (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Skylark. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 11 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system (7) and vehicle speed control (7). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 cooling11 29%
- Electrical system7 18%
- Seats4 11%
- Steering3 7.9%
- Brakes2 5.3%
- Seat belts2 5.3%
- Body and structure2 5.3%
- Exterior lighting1 2.6%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Have had to replace the fan motor, cooling system, both front door window motors, and the battery twice. This plus 6 alternators within 5 1/2 years. The cooling system, fan motor, and alternator problems occured at varying speeds-in the middle of traffic. Additional problems include that the idle recalibrated itself causing the vehicle to stall without warning in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #729973, filed 2000-09Electrical system: “The consumer has been experiencing problems with electrical system. While driving, electrical system went out. The power outage was due to the computer chips in the engine. In addition, the engine was self destructed. The consumer was driving and heard a metal sound. Afterwards, the vehicle shut off.”
NHTSA complaint #830542, filed 1998-11Vehicle speed control: “While pulling out of parking lot & shifting into drive, tapped on gas pedal, vehicle accelerated & hit another vehicle. Shifted into reverse & it accelerated backwards & hit another vehicle. Skylark was declared totaled. Possibly due to computer failure/defect.”
NHTSA complaint #862900, filed 2000-06Seats: “Vehicle was in a left rear end collision. The driver side seat reclined backward upon impact. This vehicle is not equipped with reclining seats. This resulted in the driver having neck and eye injuries. This could of caused injuries to the passenger also, but the seat was occupied at the time of the accident. Please provide more details. Ph”
NHTSA complaint #10004036, filed 2003-01, 132,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 132,000 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 1991 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 | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Skylark FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Skylark FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
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
- 92V043000Apr 1, 1992Visibility › Power window devices and controlsCovers: Buick Skylark 1991, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1991, Pontiac Grand AM 1991
Moisture can enter the express-down electronic control module and cause a short circuit that causes window operation without operator control, and leaves the window in the down position.
Recall details for the 1991 Buick Skylark → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1991 Buick Skylark have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1991 Buick Skylark as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Buick Skylark is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 11 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system with 7.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Buick Skylark get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Buick Skylark (Skylark, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Buick Skylark reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,000 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 132,000 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 29, 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.