Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Buick Skylark, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 21% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 14% |
| Steering | 9 | 11% |
| Air bags | 5 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 6% |
| Power train | 3 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2% |
| Equipment | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
ON 11/14/2012 I BOUGHT AN EXCIDE CAR BATTERY FROM NATIONAL AUTO IN BANGOR, PA. BATTERY RAN FOR ABOUT 2 MOS. THEN STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS. AFTER SITTING FOR 2 DAYS IT WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR BATTERY JUMPED 3 TIME
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TILT STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY FAILED AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE PINS CAME OUT OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE ASSEMBLY SHOWS EXTREME WEAR WHERE THE PINS SHOULD INSER
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGINE HESITATED, THEN STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING, AND POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AFTER BEING RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON APRIL 10TH 2006 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP TO SHEMY THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT AS WELL AS REPLACE THE RIGHT INNER TIRE ROADS AND END BUSHINGS. THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO SE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I OWN A 1994 BUICK SKYLARK. IT DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK. I HAD THE HEATER CORE REPLACED ON ADVISE OF A MECHANIC THAT UNTIL RECENTLY WAS AT A GM DEALERSHIP. IT STILL LEAKED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. IT WAS THEN DETERM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB.....PASSENGER'S AXLE BROKE SIX MONTHS AGO, AND CURRENTLY THE DRIV
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL LOOSENED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THREE STEERING BOLTS FAILED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Steering
AC HEATING - HEATER CORE WENT OUT- AC STILL NOT WORKING COMPUTER CONTROL- BUICK REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER CHIP- MY COMPLAINT WAS ERRATIC IDLING. IT FIXED PROBLEM. PAINT PEELING THIS YEAR STRUTS AND SPRINGS ON SUSPENSION ARE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 Buick Skylark. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR.
Fix: 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). THIS CAMPAIGN D
THESE VEHICLES WERE CONSTRUCTED WITH WELDS IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT PAN ASSEMBLY THAT ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR IMPACT COLLISION.
Fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL RIVETS ADJACENT TO THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE SUSPECT WELDS ARE LOCATED.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 17 of them (21%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.