The 1998 Buick Skylark has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,415,231 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
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 IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO…
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
4injuries
AIR BAGS
4
2crashes6injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“Tl* the contact was a passenger in a 1998 buick skylark. While driving approximately 50 mph, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the vehicle. The air bags deployed and a police report was filed. Due to the air bag deployment, the passenger sustained injuries to the eyes and the driver…”
“Manifold gasket failed, leaking coolant into engine oil. *tr”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick skylark. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the front drivers side air bags deployed. No crash occurred and no injuries were reported. Neither the manufacturer, nor the dealer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,000.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick skylark. When it rained, water flooded the drivers side floor mat and pedals. Also the airbag light would illuminate on the instrument control after it rained. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The failure mileage was 46000. Updated 1/28/10 *cn…”
“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…”
“I was injured when the airbag of a 1998 buick skylark (n body) deployed when I started the vehicle. There was no impact, in fact the vehicle was sitting in a building and not even in motion. I sustained a brain shear injury and I am still recovering. I know of two other incidents where this…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Buick Skylark as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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