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Buick SkylarkModel year report

1995 Buick Skylark Problems

Complaints
85filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
90,000miles, 9 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, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 Buick Skylark (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical problems, especially with the horn and headlights, many of which trace back to switches and wiring in the steering column. Hydraulic brake complaints about a pedal that sinks to the floor are also common and often recur after dealer visits, and several owners report high oil consumption or intermittent stalling or loss of power at speed.

  1. Electrical system

    Horn fails or sounds on its own (steering wheel unit)

    • 18 complaints (21%)
    • median 119,500 mi at 18.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1998–2017

    Owners describe horns that stop working, work only intermittently, or blow continuously until the fuse is pulled. Several complaints note that the horn switch is built into the driver's air bag assembly, so dealers quoted replacing the whole unit, and some owners had a separate dash-mounted bypass switch installed instead. A few describe the horn relay or wiring harness and fuse melting when the switch stuck. Reported across a wide mileage range, from very low mileage up to about 150,000 miles, on cars of all ages in the sample.

    What to check: Test the horn several times, including while turning the wheel, and ask whether the horn switch, clock spring or air bag assembly has been replaced or bypassed. Check the horn fuse for signs of heat or melting.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My horn stopped working. The problem was traced to the horn switch. My mechanic could not replace the horn switch because it is part of the driver's side air bag assembly, which had been discontinued. I had to have a bypass switch installed on the dashboard, which is inconvenient and awkward to use. In my opinion, the horn is a more important safety feature than the air bag. I am 71 years old and have never seen an air bag deploy, but my horn has prevented accidents many times.”

    NHTSA complaint #10650040, filed 2014-10, 90,000 miles

    “Airbag develops a problem where the horn is very sensitive and sometimes deploys on its own. Other times it won't work at all. A horn going off at inappropriate times could confuse other drivers and cause an accident.the particular part has been discontinued by GM but there is no excuse for them not addressing this issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #11006057, filed 2017-07, 149,000 miles
  2. Engine cooling

    High oil consumption and stalling or loss of power

    • 19 complaints (22%)
    • median 59,343 mi at 8.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1996–2003

    Some owners describe burning large amounts of oil, in one case about a quart and a half a week, without a warning light. Others report the engine hesitating after a cold start, stalling without warning, or losing power and not responding to the accelerator, at idle and at highway speed; dealers replaced sensors and control modules but the problem sometimes returned. A few describe engine fires or a tap in the engine. Reported on cars with no mileage stated in most cases; symptoms described as random and occurring both at idle and at highway speed.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Check the oil level and look for smoke at the tailpipe, and ask whether the car has a history of stalling or sensor and computer replacement.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This vehicle burns 1.5qts a week. I cannot afford to get it fixed therefore I can`t say specificaly what the problem is,but I have found others with this make and model with the exact same problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #765180, filed 2002-08

    “Vehicle loses power while driving and accelerator pedal is unresponsive. This has been occuring randomly since the first occurrence last december. Vehical has been into dealer service twice already for a total of eight days. Dealer is unable to find cause. Problem happens at highway speed and while idling in traffic. Nearly rear-ended by a tractor trailer unit on the 9 april occurrence.”

    NHTSA complaint #706199, filed 1999-05
  3. Exterior lighting

    Headlights and turn signals cut out

    • 9 complaints (11%)
    • median 85,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1996–2004

    Owners report headlights going dark without warning, sometimes for several seconds, and coming back after the switch is cycled or held. Turn signals and wipers on the same column stalk also stop working intermittently in some complaints, and owners describe the multi-function switch overheating or burning out repeatedly. Dealers often replaced the switch without a lasting fix. Reported from low mileage up to roughly 90,000 miles, usually while driving at night or operating the switch.

    Recall 00V2870001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Operate the headlight, high beam and turn signal switches repeatedly with the lights on and watch for dropouts; ask whether the multi-function switch has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “In aug 2001 I had to have the turn signal lever on the steering column replaced due the headlights and turn signals becoming non operative. In feb 2002 I started to have random occurences of the headlights being nonfunctional while the switch was being operated, usually after turning the switch on and off for a few seconds the headlights would operate normally. In june 2003 the left and right turn signals started to randomly not operate properly. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10045539, filed 2003-11, 90,000 miles

    “Consumer had to hold the high beam light button in order for the high beam to work. The consumer was concerned about the fact that the lights, wipers, signals, and the horn are all located on the steering wheel which may go out as well.”

    NHTSA complaint #10072056, filed 2004-06, 80,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Air bag not deploying in a crash

    • 12 complaints (14%)
    • median 119,500 mi at 18.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1996–2017

    Complaints describe frontal collisions in which the driver's side air bag did not deploy, sometimes in vehicles declared a total loss. A few owners also report burns to the arm when the bag did deploy, and some note the air bag warning light coming on sporadically or parts being unavailable for repair. Reported in crashes at speeds from about 35 to 55 mph, with mileage ranging from about 59,000 to 119,500 miles where stated.

    What to check: Confirm the air bag warning light comes on with the ignition and goes out after start, and ask whether the air bag system has been inspected or serviced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving 35 MPH vehicle was in a frontal collision. Air bags deployed and burned driver's arm. The seat belt would not release from the buckle. The occupant had the squeeze under the seat belt to get out.”

    NHTSA complaint #10031943, filed 2003-08, 59,343 miles

    “When vehicle was involved in a head-on crash with a telephone pole, there was no deployment of the driver's side air bag. The car was considered a total loss by all state insurance, consumer contacted the g.m. Motor comp. The complaint handed by the consumer product safety dep. The can no loger disuss the matter. .et.”

    NHTSA complaint #856668, filed 2000-02
  5. Brakes

    Brake pedal goes to the floor / long stopping distance

    • 6 complaints (7%)
    • typically at 4.4 yrs old
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1997–2001

    Complaints describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor, sometimes intermittently, with longer stopping distance or no braking at all. Several owners report repeated dealer visits where no fault was found, and one complaint mentions a short in the right front ABS sensor wiring harness as the cause; another describes premature front brake wear with rotors and pads replaced repeatedly. Described as intermittent and often noticed at low speed or while parking; mileage is not stated in most of these complaints.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Press and hold the brake pedal firmly with the engine running to see whether it stays firm or slowly sinks, and ask for records of master cylinder, ABS or brake line work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Intermittantly, the brake pedal goes to floor while braking, extending stoppping distance. Goodyear and monroe mufflers/ brakes unable to diagnose, GM dealership unable to find a problem. I am returning car to dealership to have ABS and master cylinder replaced (cost of about $1500.00) because I don't know what else to do. Hopefully, this will fix the problem, it just is not safe to drive this way.”

    NHTSA complaint #724680, filed 2000-06

    “After appyling the brakes and coming to a complete stop the pedal will travel to the floor, cause unknown. The vehicle has been in for service on three occasions, but dealer cannot find out why this occurs. After applying brakes, there was clunk noise coming from engine compartment and the brake pedal goes down to the floor due to a shorting in right front ABS sensor wiring harness.”

    NHTSA complaint #816002, filed 1997-09

Buying note. On a car this age, check the horn, headlight and turn signal switches, the brake pedal feel and the oil level before committing, and ask for service records covering brakes, the steering column switches and any air bag work. Parts for some air bag and horn components are reportedly discontinued, so budget for sourcing used or aftermarket replacements.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 85 consumer complaints for the 1995 Buick Skylark. 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 14 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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.

Also reported: Seats (2), Steering (2), Body and structure (2), Tires (2), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Horn sounds without being activated,occurs while driving and when stopped with ignition off. Dealer has advised that horn assembly is part of the driver air bag assy. I also notice what I believe to be an electrical short in the interior of the vehicle (smells like hot electrical wiring).”

NHTSA complaint #727805, filed 2000-08

Brakes: “While vehicle was in reverse, vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. When brakes were applied, pedal went to the floor, causing loss of vehicle control which resulted in a collision. Consumer has been told that there is nothing worng with the brakes, however this incident has happened twice.”

NHTSA complaint #899079, filed 2001-11

Air bags: “Airbag is worn out. Horn quit working. There is still no recall on this. More faulty design. There is no excuse to have a design where the horn won't work.”

NHTSA complaint #11055140, filed 2017-12, 150,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Vehicle loses power and is unresponsive to accelerator pedal. Happens at idle and highway speeds. Dealer replaced throttle position sensor and main computer modules in dec. 1998 to correct same problem.”

NHTSA complaint #705600, filed 1999-04

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 149,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5022%50–7533%75–10022%100–15022%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 90,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

19971999200117200320062017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1995 Buick Skylark. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Skylark · coupe not rated4 / 3———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1995 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Skylark FWD2.3L 4-cyl3-speed automatic192822$3,050
Skylark FWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192922$3,050
Skylark FWD3.1L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172620$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

Recall details for the 1995 Buick Skylark → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

Other model years of the Buick Skylark

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19982494,5001—23—Stable
19977955,0333—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19968595,2804—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19958590,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199468110,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199346—1—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199232—3—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19913888,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199019138,0001—23—Stable
198814—3—24—Not enough data
19868135,0141———Not enough data
19856—1—19—Not enough data
19848—3—20—Not enough data

All Buick Skylark model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1995 Buick Skylark?

Owners of this model year most often describe electrical problems, especially with the horn and headlights, many of which trace back to switches and wiring in the steering column. The issues reported most often: Horn fails or sounds on its own (steering wheel unit); High oil consumption and stalling or loss of power; Headlights and turn signals cut out.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1995 Buick Skylark have?

NHTSA recorded 85 consumer complaints for the 1995 Buick Skylark as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1995 Buick Skylark is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 31 complaints (36% of the total), followed by brakes with 17.

Has the 1995 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 1995 Buick Skylark get?

The EPA rates the 1995 Buick Skylark (Skylark, 2.3L 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 1995 Buick Skylark reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 149,000 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 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.