1997 Buick Skylark Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 8%of 79 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,749miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Buick Skylark, 8% of the 79 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,749 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While parking horn continuously sounded. The gear shift lever knob broke off. The dealership had to replace the entire air bag system in order to correct the horn failure and replaced the shifter knob.”
NHTSA complaint #10038189, filed 2003-09, 43,749 miles“When vehicle was parked on an incline, 5 year old son was able to put vehicle in gear without keys in the ignition. The vehicle was in park with the steering wheel locked. When vehicle began to roll backwards, child became scared, jumped out of vehicle, vehicle rolled over child and hit an embankment before stopping. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #837667, filed 1999-05“While child was in vehicle playing and vehicle was turned off it was put in reverse and rolled backwards, hitting a tree while child was still in vehicle. Manufacturer will be contacted. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8010883, filed 2002-06“When car is parked in any gear it will reverse without putting key in ignition. This inccident happened twice, once resulting with an infant in car when it reversed. Contacted dealer , cannot not fix problem.”
NHTSA complaint #8007761, filed 2002-04“Brakes lock up on turn, wet surfaces and uneven terrain. Vehicle experiencing extended stopping distace when braking and traction control system failed. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #548074, filed 1999-08Related service bulletins
- 10017096Oct 24, 2005Vehicle will not move in either direction. Transmission may show over full. P90 4t40e 4t45e no movement drive or reverse. Converter may be empty of fluid.
- 10017086Oct 24, 20054t40e or 4t45e will not shift no diagnostic trouble codes.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Buick Skylark
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Buick Skylark
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology