Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1988 Buick Skylark. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FUEL:FUEL LINES:HOSES:NON-METALLIC
- Summary
- FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
- Consequence
- FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.
- Remedy
- REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
FUEL:FUEL LINES:HOSES:NON-METALLIC
- Summary
- FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
- Consequence
- LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS
- Summary
- UNEXPECTED LOSS OF TAIL LAMP AND SIDE MARKER LAMP FUNCTION MAY OCCUR, REDUCING OTHER DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE THE VEHICLE.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGIN CONDITIONS OF POOR VISIBILITY, SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME.
- Remedy
- REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH PANEL.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (14)
14 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 3 | 21.4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 21.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 14.3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 14.3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 7.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 7.1% |
| Suspension | 1 | 7.1% |
| Tires | 1 | 7.1% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 7.1% |
How 1988 compares with other Skylark years
Best and worst Skylark years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 | 8 | 3 |
| 1985 | 6 | 1 |
| 1986 | 8 | 1 |
| 1988 | 14 | 3 |
| 1989 | 4 | 2 |
| 1990 | 19 | 1 |
| 1991 | 38 | 1 |
| 1992 | 32 | 3 |
| 1993 | 46 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 356 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1988 Skylark for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1988 Buick Skylark FAQ
How many recalls does the 1988 Buick Skylark have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 92V150000 (fuel system), 90V042000 (fuel system), 87V169000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1988 Buick Skylark problems?
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Engine and engine cooling (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1988 Buick Skylark get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic version at 21 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1988 Skylark compare with other years?
Among the 1983–1993 Buick Skylark model years at least five years old, the 1983 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1993 the most (46). The 1988 drew 14. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.