NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 87 owner complaints for the 1997 Buick Skylark. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (16) and electrical system (14). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE WHEN APPLIED, AND PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE BECAUSE NOONE COULD FIX THE DEFECT. *SLC”
“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.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skylark Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $2,600 | 386 |
| Skylark Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,850 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 87 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (16), electrical system (14), air bags (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Buick Skylark at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).