Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Buick Skylark. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start and the anti-theft warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that it took multiple attempts to start the vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the starter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V036000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Dt: contact stated that on 7-11-05 had a new alternator put in. It failed on 8-13-05., and it was replaced on 8-14-05. It is not showing up on the tester as consistent. It was arching and draining the battery. The part number for the alternator was #8225-7. They will replace it in a certain amount of time; but that did not help the call now because car died the freeway. A mechanic told her they were putting bad regulators in these alternators. This included the following companies;: car quest, and bbb industries; 5640 commerce east, mobile, al 36619. Palladium; box 2710 ronoake, va 24001.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Buick Skylark. The contact stated that the anti-theft system would activate independently, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. The failure was recurring with the illumination of the anti-theft warning light. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start with the key in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who diagnosed that the instrument panel cluster or central computer would need to be replaced. The contact was then referred to an authorized dealer for possible repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54000.
The car had been stalling for more than a year but not as frequent. The most dangerous time it stalled was in the middle of interstate 240n. My wife and child was with me. It was rush hour and there were lots of traffic. We were terrified! Once I merged over to the side of the highway, we had to wait for about 20 minutes before the car started again. Mind you, we are on the side of a busy and dangerous interstate highway. I noticed when I tried to start the car after it had stalled, the theft system light was flashing. I had no idea why the theft system light was flashing or if it had anything to do with the car not starting. I called a technician I know and explained to him that the car sounded like it was to start but keep stalling. He asked me to look at the dash and tell him what I saw. …
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.
Tl 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.
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. Sometimes the signal would not come on at all when activated, other times the signal would stay on, even though the turn would be completed. In sept 2003 the left signal will not operate normally, when the driver activates the signal indictacting a left turn, the signal will activate, but it will not blink, the light just comes on and stays like that. …
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.
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the…
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. Owner notification began March 27, 2002.
Electrical system › Starter assembly
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine starter fails to engage and the driver hold the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, producing heat that can melt switch parts.
Remedy: Dealers will install a relay kit and verify that the vehicle will start with a properly charged battery in good operating condition (adequate reserve capacity, or cold cranking amps).
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
The protective cover for the underhood fuse center was omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed and can contact the insulated negative battery cable.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.
NHTSA investigations
Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Skylark years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (31), 1996 (15), 1997 (13) and 1998 (5) model years. Electrical complaints make up 36% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Buick Skylark electrical problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 04V-036 (switch, Jan 27, 2004); 02V-070 (switch, Mar 6, 2002); 00V-287 (starter assembly, Oct 2, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Skylark electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 8% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › switch (15 mentions), followed by the horn (14).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.