100 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Buick Skylark. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, CHEST, RIGHT SHOULDER, AND MOUTH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,818.
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ON MAY 5 2016, 10 PM, WENT OUT TO PUT WINDOWS UP IN CAR, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY,OPENED DOOR, LEANED IN TO TURN ON KEY, WHEN I TURNED ON KEY, HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION, TWO THOUGHTS BEFORE I BLACKED OUT, THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT & WHAT THE HELL WAS PULLING ME BACKWARDS SO FAST, CAME TO IN A FEW SECONDS LAYING ON THE GROUND, NOTICED THAT AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED, COULD NOT GET UP & CRAWLED TO HOUSE, THIS WAS A VERY VIOLENT & TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE, WENT TO HOSPITAL WHERE THEY XRAYED MY NECK & FOUND NO BROKEN BONES, MY FACE WAS ACTUALLY 2 TO 3 INCHES AWAY FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN DEPLOYMENT HAPPENED, I BELIEVE THE ATTACHED HINGE PARTS THAT OPENED WHEN BAG DEPLOYED ACTUALLY HIT ME IN FACE, BRUISED LIP & BLOOD BLISTERS ON LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE, THOUGH MY NECK WAS NOT BROKEN, HOSPITAL DID NOT CHECK ME FOR CUNCUSION PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT I DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE, I AM POSITIVE I HAD ONE, STILL HAVING PROBLEMS FOCUSING, ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE FORGETFULNESS, FOR THREE DAYS I COULD FEEL THAT MY BODY HAD BEEN TWISTED AWAY FROM MY SPINE, THIS WAS VERY VIOLENT AND HOPE THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE ELSE, STILL RECOVERING.
THE AIRBAG EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THEN CAUSED THE HORN TO CONTINUOUSLY GO OFF. NOT FIVE MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE IT WENT OFF WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING FROM BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS PULLED OVER ON A SIDE STREET WHEN THE HORN STARTED GOING OFF. THE AIR BAG BRUISED AND BURNED MY LEFT ARM, HOWEVER MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. I HAD A WATER LEAK SOMEWHERE THAT CAUSED WATER TO BUILD UP PRIMARILY ON MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD, HOWEVER EVENTUALLY THE BACK FLOOR BOARDS BECAME WET AS WELL. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE WATER CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AND SET OFF THE AIR BAG. IT SEEMS STANDING WATER IS AN ISSUE FOR THESE CARS AND CAN CAUSE AN ISSUE WITH A CONTROL BOX LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT, WHICH IS AN AWFUL COMBINATION. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN WAY WORSE THAN IT WAS, AND IT FORCED ME TO BUY A NEW CARE EARLIER THAN I WAS FINANCIALLY PREPARED TO DO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND THERE WERE TWO RIGHT HAND SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 8/29/14*CN
WENT TO START TO CAR AFTER DRIVING ALL AFTERNOON AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE DASH AND WINDSHIELD. *TR
WHEN CAR PUT IN REVERSE, AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING KNOT AND BRUISING TO ARM. 4/14/14 CALLED 800-222-1020 AND SPOKE TO FRANKLIN THAT STATED AIRBAGS ARE NOT COVERED EVEN FOR DEFECT AFTER WARRANTY OF CAR IS OVER. CALLED BERGLUND LOCAL DEALER IN ROANOKE VA AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID $99 TO EVEN LOOK AT AIRBAG. CALLED INSURANCE AND FILED CLAIM AND ADJUSTOR SAID OBVIOUS DEFECT IN AIRBAG SINCE NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO CAR. WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE ME? I AM HANDLING THIS SITUATION FOR MY AUNT, THAT ACTUALLY OWNS THE CAR. THANKS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN. NEITHER THE SPEEDOMETER NOR THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED ACCURATE READINGS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V070000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000.
ON JULY 30 2008 THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. MINOR INJURIES BRUISES AND A SMALL CUT ON MY CHEST AREA. AFTER REVIEWING THE RECALLS ON THIS CAR, I REALIZE THAT I HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO OTHER RECALLS. UPON CONTACTING THE LOCAL BUICK DEALER, I WAS TOLD MY CAR DID NOT MATCH ANY OF THE RECALL COMPANIES? PERHAPS IT SHOULD HAVE MADE THE CAMPAIGN LIST. *TR
I GOT A LETTER FROM GM , BUICK MOTOR DIVISION, THAT WAS A " CUSTOMER ADVISORY" NOT A RECALL THAT SAID IF MY 1996 BUICK HAS EVER BEEN WET OR HAD WATER SOAK THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE AIR BAGS MIGHT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE CONTROL BOX LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IT SAID I NEED TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED ASAP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IF IT HAS INDEED BEEN WET . AND IT HAS BEEN WET ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE DOOR GASKETS AND REAR WINDOW SEAL AND POSSIBLY THE TRUNK GASKET. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD PAY AT THE LEAST FOR THE DEALER TO DECIDE IF THE CONTROL BOX NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR NOT . IF NOT FOR THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO INSURE THAT THE AIR BAGS DON'T DEPLOY FOR NO REASON WHILE I'M GOING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP YOU NOT HURT YOU. J.M.K. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 35 MPH, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. ON JUNE 22, 2006, A RADIATOR WAS INSTALLED AT 2,000 MILES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OFFERED TO RE-DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE INSTALLED THE SAME PARTS AT THE SAME RATE. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUES TO LEAK FLUID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. ON JUNE 18, 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT PERTAINING TO THE AIR BAG CONTROLLER MODULE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. HE IS OUTRAGED BECAUSE GM IS REFUSING TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE LETTER MENTIONED THAT CONSUMERS HAVE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO WATER. THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE MOTOR, WHICH THEN LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE RESIDED IN THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FOR A FEE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,992 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
WHILE ON VACATION WE TOOK A TRIP. ON THE WAY HOME AT NIGHT ALL ELECTRICITY DEVICES STARTED TO DIE. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE DIED AND WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED HOME AND IT HASN'T STARTED SINCE. I TURN THE KEY AND GET NOTHING. WHEN I TURN THE KEY ON, THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM LIGHT IS LIT AND NEVER GOES OUT. THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED AND I CAN START THE CAR IF I JUMP THE STARTER BUT NOT FROM THE KEY. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES WORK FINE. *JB
I PURCHASED FOUR NEW BRIDGESTONE TIRES (19570S14 BS WTHRFRCB) FOR MY SON'S CAR (1996 BUICK SKYLARK - 6 CYL) IN APRIL 2005 AT SEARS AT OXMOOR CENTER IN LOUISVILLE. ON TUE AUG 16, 2005, HE WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET ON HIS WAY TO WORK WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATED. WHEN I SAW IT, IT HAD HOLES ALL AROUND THE SIDEWALL, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIRE LIKE THIS. IT LOOKED LIKE SOME ONE HAD SHOT AT IT WITH A MACHINE GUN. THERE WERE PIECES OF THE TIRE ALONG THE STREET AND IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE HE STOPPED. MY SON PUT ON THE SPARE AND WE TOOK IT BACK TO SEARS WHERE IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AND WAS NOT ON AN EXPRESSWAY. THIS WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, AND I DO NOT INTEND TO BUY ANY MORE. *NM
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE CONSUMER WAS WARMING UP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ONE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FRONT WINDSHIELD BROKE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK
NHTSA RECALL 02-V-070-000: IF THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENTS FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SOMETIMES PRODUCE ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNING FOUR STARTERS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT A WARRANTY. *AK *SCC (THIS DOCUMENT IS AN ADD TO) *JB
THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW I CAN GO OUT TO THE CAR AND IT WON'T START. I CAN WAIT A FEW HOURS OR SO AND IT WILL START RIGHT UP. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, THE DAY IT WAS TOWED IN IT WOULDN'T START FOR HIM EITHER. THE NEXT DAY AND THE DAYS FOLLOWING THAT IT FIRED UP EACH AND EVERY TIME HE KEPT IT FROM MON-FRI, HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE DID THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST IT SHOWED NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I CALLED TWO BUICK DEALERS, THEY TOLD ME IF THE CAR DOESN'T BREAK DOWN AND STAY BROKEN DOWN THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHATS WRONG BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS TOO INTERMITTENT. BEFORE ALL THIS STARTED THAT ETS OFF LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND STAYING ON AND THE CAR WOULD STALL OUT ON ME, NOW ITS NOT DOING THAT ANYMORE, BUT I NOTICED SOMETHING WHEN I'M PUTTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE FROM PARK I NOTICED THAT THE ETS OFF LIGHT BLINKS. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. AND SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON. THE FUEL PUMP SEEMS TO BE WORKING. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE AND NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
THE ENGINE OF MY CAR IS A MESS. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT THREE YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE WORKED ON SO MANY TIMES IT IS CRAZY. NOW IT SEEMS THAT I NEED A NEW HEAD GASKET AND WHATEVER ELSE CYLINDER ONE IS KICKING REPORTS ON. I WILL PROBABLY END UP HAVING TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE AND I STILL OWE $4,000.00 ON THIS ONE. WHAT THE HECK...
CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON 1996 BUICK SKYLARK REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. *MR *NM
THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT.*JB
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE ON WIRE HARNESS VEHICLE WOULD START INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN BACK TO DEALER ON EIGHT OCCASIONS ,AND PROBLEM STILL REOCURRING. PH....*AK
HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR RIMS. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR
NHTSA RECALL 02 V 070 000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH: RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING / STARTING PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT OCCURRING UNTIL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT STEVE SCHMITT MOTOR CO. IN GREENSVILLE, IL; PHONE# 618/664-2811. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
WHEN PUTTING ON BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES AND PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA RECALL01 V 070 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 02998 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH: DEALER: SALE AUTO MALL IN KINSTON, NC. PHONE# 252/522-3611 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL UNTIL CONSUMER AGREED TO PAY FOR IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
HORN PAD SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE HORN TO BE INOPERABLE, CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED PREVIOUSLY UNDER WARRANTY BUT PROBLEM REOCCURED. *AK *NLM
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 02V070000 ON IGNITION SWITCH, AND WAITED 1 MONTH FOR REMEDY APPOINTMENT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, WARNING ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AGAIN BY DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF FIRE. *AK
VEHICLE HAD NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V070000 PERFORMED BY THE DEALER, SAM TAYLOR BUICK CADILLAC, ON 9&10 MAY 2002. SINCE THIS TIME THE VEHICLES' ENGINE FREQUENTLY SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING. IN EACH SITUATION THE CAR WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART AND SHUT-OFF. THIS ACTION HAS REPEATED UP TO TWENTY FIVE TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE VEHICLE ALSO DISPLAYS A CONSTANT THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT (LOCATED ON DASH PANEL) WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILS TO CONTINUE RUNNING. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEALER STATED THIS VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A THEFT DETERRANT SYSTEM WHEN I PURCHASED IT. ONLY A RADIO THEFT DETERRANT SYSTEM. I ALSO DO NOT HAVE THE CONTROLLER TO REMOTELY LOCK/UNLOCK MY DOORS, WHICH IS PART OF THE THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE STARTED IN PARK OR NEUTRAL SO THE GEAR POSITION SWITCH IS GOOD. FURTHERMORE, THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR/CHARGING SYSTEM ARE GOOD. SEAT BELT INTERLOCKS DO NOT EFFECT ABILITY TO START OR REMAIN RUNNING. THIS PROBLEM NEVER OCURRED UNTIL THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. PROBLEM CLEARS OVERNIGHT AND REOCURRS AFTER ENGINE IS WARM. IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD WITHOUT ANY CORROSION. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERS NOW. THEY SUSPECT THEFT MODULE MAY BE BAD. THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOUR WORKING DAYS SO FAR. A SIMILAIR PROBLEM WAS NOTED IN CUSTOMER COMPLAINT NUMBER ODI ID 709641, BUT THIS OCURRED PROIR TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN.HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN REPORTED BEFORE?*AK
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS WET. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THE SDM HAD FAILED. THE AIR BAG MODULE DEPLOYED SUDDENLY DURING NORMAL DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES BECAUSE THE SDM WAS WET AND DAMAGED AND SHORTED OUT. *YH
TO START THE ENGINE , AND THE CAR WAS PUSHED INTO ST STALL BY.THE SS TUBE UNDER THE CAR AND THE SS MANIFOLD ON THE MOTOR BLOCK ARE CONNECTED VIE A THIN-WALLED PLASRIC TUBE, WHICH IS HEAT-SHRINKE UNDER THE CAR AND CONNECTED TO THE MANIFOLD BY A FLIMSY PLASTIC CONNECTOR. BOTH CONNECTORS BROKE ( OF COURSE THEY MUST BRAKE EVENTUALLY THRU AGE ETC), AND THE GAS SPILLED ONTO THE HOT MOTOR BLOCK, FORMING A PUDDLE AND VAPORIZING , THUS FORMING AN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WAITING TO BE IGNITED FROM THE HOT EXHAUST MAMNIFOLD. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-030
I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TWISTS ON ME ALL OF THE TIME MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT. I HAVE BEEN MEANING TO FILE A REPORT BUT KEPT PUTTING IT OFF UNTIL TODAY WHEN I RECEIVED MORE GRIEF AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AGAIN. THE REPLY FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER, BOB CRIPPEN,WAS THAT I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO UNTWIST IT SO WHY DO I KEEP BRINGING IT UP. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW EFFECTIVE THE SEAT BELT WOULD BE WITH A CRASH AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT,THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT, ALL I COULD THINK WAS I MIGHT DIE WITH IT. AT THE FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH HIM HE TOLD BE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN I COMPLAINED. IT STARTED WITH THE ORGINAL BELT AND THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYMORE ABOUT IT. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO WORK A SEATBELT. THE CAR WENT IN FOR ITS FINAL WARRANTY WORK ON 3/13 AND WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 3/14 WITH THE SEAT BELT SO TWISTED I CAN NOT UNTWIST IT AND ALSO AT THIS TIME I HAVE A RIGHT HAND IN A CAST. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAST WAS UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND I SAID BEFORE THEY TAUGHT ME HOW TO UNTWIST IT SO WHY WAS I COMPLAINING?AT THIS TIME I HAVE BECOME SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE SITUATION I FINALLY DECIDE TO CONTACT YOU. WHAT SHOULD I DO? CAN YOY HELP? AM I BEING UNREASONABLE/ IF I AM PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I HATE TO SAY IT BUT EVEN IN THIS DAY AND AGE WOMEN STILL TEND TO BE IGNORED BY CARE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. WILL YOU KEEP ME INFORMED. THANK YOU. CHRISTINE BARKAUSKAS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
COOLING SYSTEM BURNED OUT DUE TO LEAKING.*JB
CONSUMER STATES ABS INOPERATIVE.*JB
CONSUMER STATES ABS INOPERATIVE.*JB
WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH, CLEAR TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT A STEADY SPEED, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. *CJ
ENGINE FAILURE AND COOLANT LEAKAGE THROUGH OUT ENTIRE ENGINE. COOLANT WENT INTO OIL TANK, WAS COMING OUT EXHAUST PIPE. DEALER MECHANIC TOLD MY MECHANIC THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. IT'S CYCLINDER 1 THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE ENGINE DAMAGE. ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
AT 28,000 MILES VEHICLE HAD AN INTERMITTENT RESTARTING PROBLEM. VEHICLE BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND AT A DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL SYSTEM BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER AND CLUSTER ARE NOW BEING REPAIRED AS A CAUSE OF STALLING. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING. *YH
WHENEVER DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. RADIO WOULD FAIL TO WORK AFTER TURNING IT ON. BEEN TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING. WOULD NEED TO BREAK DOWN WIRE COMPONENT TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTORS BROKE, THE PLASTIC PART WASN'T OPERABLE. DRIVERSIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A REPLACEMENT PART. DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO PURCHASE THE WHOLE PART .*AK
ENGINE RUNS 30-40MPH WITH FOOT OFF GAS, DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING IN ENGINE INTO OIL. PUT COOLANT (DEX COOL) IN CAR, PAID FOR A WINDOW REGULATOR ON PASSENGER SIDE, SOON LIGHT HEATER DUCTS, THINK CYLINDER SHIFT LIGHT CLICKER, LOW COOLANT, ENGINE NOISE, WE WERE TOLD CAR WAS NORMAL.
ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACE TWICE. THE DIDN'T TURN THEM BEFORE STATING THEY NEEED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THEY HAVE WORKED ON THE VEHICLE ALL KINDS OF ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED. DEALER HAS NEVER GIVEN THE CONSUMER A REASON WHY THEY NEEDED TO REPLACED.*AK
VEH HAS TWO RECALLS #96V24900-STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. AN UNDER TORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN STEERING SYSTEM (CAUSING GRINDING NOISE). *AK
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE. YH
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE. YH
ON AND WHILE DRIVING IN ADVERSE WEATHER IF DEFROST/DEFOGGER IS ENGAGED THEN ALL INSIDE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL DEFROST/DEFOGGER IS DISENGAGED, CAUSES BIG PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAYS/HIGHWAYS BECAUSE I CAN'T USE THE WINDOW CLEARING TOOLS AS I NEED TO. AND THE MANUAL STATES TO REPORT IF THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON ANYWAY AS IT MAY BE CAUSE FOR SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN FUTURE. *AK
CONSUMER HEARD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM DASH DUE TO WELD THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. DEALER STATED THAT REPAIRS WERE DONE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON. ON THREE OCCASIONS DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND HAS NOT INFORMED CONSUMER WHETHER OXYGEN SENSOR WILL OR WILL NOT BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO REASON.DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS OFF TRACK. HIS CAUSES A PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO SHUT THE DOOR. WHEN SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT, IT HAS TO BE LIFTED UP 3/4 OF AN INCH TO SHUT EVENLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM DASHBOARD DUE TO TO A DEFECTIVE WELD. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL IN THE NORMAL FLOW OF TRAFFIC IN A LOWER GEAR MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, STOPPED TO LET MY NEPHEW UTILIZE THE RESTROOM. WHEN WE STARTED TO LEAVE MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR DIDN'T STOP, THE BRAKES HAD COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR SOUND. WE WAITED APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AND TRIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THEY WORKED. WE STARTED BACK TO ALABAMA, AND AGAIN, WITHOUT A WARNING LIGHT OR SOUND THE BRAKES WENT OUT CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT. IF MY HUSBAND HADN'T BEEN A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WE WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. HE USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND STOPPED THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WE WERE DRIVING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I JUST DON'T SEE HOW IT CAN BE NORMAL OR SAFE FOR THE BRAKES TO JUST STOP WORKING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING.
4 WHEEL RIMS BENT - NO ACCIDENT. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE.
NO SUMMARY.
WHILE DRIVING BRAKING SYSTEM MAKES A GRINDING NOISE EVERY TIME CONSUMER USES THE BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 01/17/97, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS: EMERGENCHY/PARKING BRAKE POPS OUT WHEN PARKING THE CAR AND PUTTING PARKING BRAKE ON, BRAKES FAIL TO PERFORM PROPERLY AND BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN EXCESSIVLY, DASH BOARD (CHECK ENGINE, ABS, ETS, SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINKS WHEN WEARING AND DOESNT BLINK WHEN NOT WEARING OCCASSIONALLY, THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BUT I DO NOT HAVE A THEFT SYSTEM)AND DOME LIGHTS COME ON SPARATICALLY, SOMETIMES THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CAR OF OFF AND NO ONE NEAR CAR, RECALL WAS PERFORMED SINCE THAN IT ONLY HAPPENS ABOUT HALF AS MUCH. 5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING CAR THE KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OR COME OUT, CALLED BUICK THEY TOLD ME TO JIGGLE THE STEERING AND MANUALLY PUSH THE CAR BACK AND FORTH THAN TRY IT, RECENTLY WHEN IT HAPPENED WE TRIED FOR 3 HOURS AND THEY SUGGESTED, AS I QUOTE GM ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR US "TO POUND ON THE KEY ABOUT 20 TIMES LIKE YOU WERE POUNDING A NAIL WITH A HAMMER" WE WERE STUCK 50 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. ON THE ELECTRICAL SOMETIMES THE CLOCK AND RADIO STATIONS WILL RESET WITHOUT BATTERY TOUCHED OR ANYTHING ELSE TOUCHED, WINDOW MOTORS GO BAD, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY DEALER REPLACED INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR BEZEL (ONLY THE INSIDE PLASTIC TRIANGLE PART) CAUSE IT WAS COMING OFF, THE WORK ORDER SHOWS NEW PART PUT IN BUT THEY JUST STUCK A BUNCH OF EPOXY IN IT AND STUCK THE OLD ONE BACK ON. WHEN COMPLAINING CONSTANTLY TO THE SERVICE MGR ITS USUALLY "YOU HAVE A BAD BATTERY" "A FUSE" "MODULE" AT ONE TIME THEY CHANGED THE ALARM MODULE TWICE WITHIN A MATTER OF 4 - 6 MONTHS LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE LIGHTS ARE NOT ON ALL THE TIME, IT HAPPENS SPARATICALLY THAT THEY ARE JUST REPLACING SIMPLE PARTS TO SHOW THEY REPAIRED PROBLEM, SALES MANAGER SAID FUSES AND MODULES ARE COMMONLY BEING REPLACED. TWICE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPR, ENGINE TURNED OFF AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, STEARING LOCKED. I HEAR CLICKING AND/OR RUBBING SOUNDS COMING FROM FRONT WHLEFT S
WE REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY IN 12/98. OUR VEHICLE IS NOW MAKING SAME NOISE AND WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SAME PART AGAIN IN LESS THAN 8 MONTHS. WE KNOW OF ANOTHER 1996 SKYLARK OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT OWNER HAS SINCE TRADED HIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE BUICK COMPLAINT LINE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO COURTESY REIMBURSEMENTS SINCE THE PART WAS GUARANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. I DO NOT FEEL THIS PART SHOULD HAVE FAILED AT 59000 OR 69000 MILES. I ALSO FEEL BUICK SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE RESPONSIVE TO THIS MATTER. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND POSSIBLY A FACTORY DEFECT. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR COLLISION WITH A 96 BUICK SKYLARK WHICH WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, YIELDING TRAFFIC AT A TRAFFIC CIRCLE. THE CAR THAT STRUCK ME WAS AT A RELATIVELY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE IMPACT CAUSED BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS TO COLLAPSE. BOTH SEATS DID NOT RETAIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND WERE PARTIALLY RECLINED FROM THE ACCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD BE A DEFECT OF THE SEATS AS THE SEATS SHOULD NOT HAVE RECLINED AND MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE MUSCULAR INJURIES SUFFERED BY MYSELF AND THE PASSENGER. *AK
HAVE HAD KNOCKING NOISE IN RIGHT REAR BRAKES. DEALER STATED THAT BRAKE SPRINGS WEREN'T FUNCTIONING RIGHT AND HAVE CONTINUALLY RESURFACED MY DRUMS. REPLACED DRUMS ON9/23/97 PER SERVICE BULLITIN #235015. NOW BRAKE DRUMS ARE AT MAX SPECS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY TEMP FIX IF BY RESURFACING DRUMS, NOW THEY WON'T FIX BECAUSE THEY STATE THAT ITS THEY WAY I DRIVE THE CAR, WHEN ALL ALONG THRY SAID IT WAS THE SPRINGS STICKING AND HEATING UP THE BRAKES. MY DRUMS NEED REPLACING AND THEY WON'T FIX IT ANY LONGER
THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHEN APPLIED WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE IN THE RAIN ALSO, IN DRY WEATHER IT STILL WOULD SLIDE/JUMP/JERK AND MAKE A NOISE. SPEED AT 35 MPH OR LES., DEALER CONTACTED TWO TIMES, STATES IT IS THE DESIGN, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER'S POWER DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW LOCK DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES HESITATION AND LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHICH HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN VEHICLE COLLISION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT FASTEN PROPERLY. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE WITH 35000 MILES OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS THE COST GOES TO THE CONSUMER. *AK
OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED TWICE DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. (QCAW)
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAIL TO ENGAGE.
CRACKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF ALL TIRES.
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE BUCKS AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR AND TAKES OFF. DEALER HAS DONE NOTHING. *AK
AIR BAGS: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN CAR AHEAD MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN, FRONT OFCONSUMER'S CAR HIT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF OTHER CAR AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK
NOISE IN WHEEL.
ENGINE MAKES NOISE.
BRAKES GRIND.
WATER IS LEAKING IN THE TRUNK.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.
BRAKES VERY NOISY.
ENGINE FAILED.
NOISE HEARD WHILE BRAKING DUE TO FAILED BRAKE PADS.
NOISE HEARD WHILE BRAKING AND PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER.
HEAD LIGHTS FAILED.
WINDSHIELD MAKES OBJECTS APEAR RIGID DURING ANY TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH DRIVER'S AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, NO IMPACT ON HWY, SUSTAINED INJURY TO RIGHT ARM, NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S NOTICE FOR AIR BAG DEFECT ON NOV./96 HAD THE REPAIRS DONE DEC./96. CONSUMER HAD A VEHICLE CRASH ON MAR-22-97 WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG WAS RIPPED, ALLOWING A BLACK COLORED SODIUM ACID TO SPILL INTO VEHICLE, THIS SODIUM ACID HAS A BAD SMELL THAT WON'T GO AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE AND THAT MR. FLETCHER WAS LYING ABOUT THE AIR BAG. *AK
SEAT BELT FAILED.
LEFT TURN SIGNAL INOPERATIVE.
PARKING BRAKE INOPERATIVE.
VIOLET DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AFTER RECALL REPAIR. DUP OF 811494, ADDED ON 25-FEB-98. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS, IN FOR REPAIRS, CHANGED ALL PARTS, VEHICLE STILL CONTINUES TO STALL DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
INSUFFICIENT INSULATION UNDER STEERING COLUMN CAUSED DRAFT TO COME IN UNDER LEFT LOWER DASH PANES.
SEAT BELT FAILED TWICE.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT SURGING; ALSO, REAR WINDSHIELD GASKET/HORN/MIRROR CONTROL/TRANSMISSION/EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE FAILED. *AK
MOUSE NEST IN BLOWER CAUSED FIRE IN VENT SYSTEM.
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT/ERRATIC HEADLAMP FAILURE, WENT OUT FOR FEW SECONDS OR INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME, NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK *JB
THE LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF AND THE STUD THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL DEBOLTED FROM THE WHEEL. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD SPLIT IN HALF.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SEAT BELT STICKS INTO DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSING DISCOMFORT. *SD
AXLE BROKE, MAKING NOISE. *DSH
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