1982 Buick Skylark problems
The Buick Skylark is a passenger car formerly produced by Buick. The model was made in six production runs, during 46 years, over which the car's design varied dramatically due to changing technology, tastes, and new standards implemented over the years. It was named for the species of bird called skylark.
The Skylark name first appeared on a limited production luxury convertible using the Buick Roadmaster's chassis for two years, then was reintroduced in 1961 as a higher luxury content alternative to the entry-level Buick Special on which the Skylark was based upon. It was then positioned as Buick's luxury performance model when the Buick GSX was offered. As GM began downsizing during the late 1970s, the Skylark became the entry-level model when the Special nameplate was used as a trim package designation, then in the 1980s was offered as a front-wheel-drive vehicle where it was both a coupe and sedan for three different generations.
1953–1954
Created to mark Buick's 50th anniversary, the Roadmaster Skylark joined the Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta and Cadillac Series 62 Eldorado as top-of-the-line, limited-production specialty convertibles introduced in 1953 by General Motors to promote its design leadership. Of the three, the Skylark's run of 1,690 units proved the most successful, and an amazing sales feat considering the car's 1953 list price of slightly in excess of US$5,000 ($56,940 in 2023 dollars ) was over 50% more than the well-equipped US$3,200 Roadmaster convertible on which it was based ($36,442 in 2023 dollars ). It was comparable in price to the 1953 Packard Caribbean with a similar retail price.
Production ran for two years. Based on the model 76R two-door Roadmaster convertible, the 1953 Skylark (designated model 76X) had identical dimensions (except height), almost identical appearance, shared its drive train, and had all its standard equipment, plus its few remaining options, including power windows, power brakes, full carpeting, and a "Selectronic" AM radio. Only air conditioning was not offered, unnecessary in either convertible.
Importantly, the new Skylark featured Buick's new 322 in3 (5.3 L) Fireball V8 in place of the automaker's longstanding straight 8, and a 12-volt electrical system, both division firsts. It debuted full-cutout wheel openings, a styling cue that spread to the main 1954 Buick line. Accenting its lowered, notched beltline was a new "Sweepspear" running almost the entire length of the vehicle, a styling cue that was to appear in various forms on many Buick models over the years.
The 1953 Skylark was handmade in many respects. Only stampings for the hood, trunk lid, and a portion of the convertible tub were shared with the Roadmaster and Super convertibles. All Skylark tubs were finished with various amounts of lead filler. The inner doors were made by cutting the 2-door Roadmaster's in two then welding the pieces back together at an angle to produce the rakish door dip. An overall more streamlined look was reinforced by cutting the windshield almost 3 inches (7.6 cm) shorter and lowering the side windows and convertible top frame proportionately. Seat frames and steering column were then dropped to provide proper headroom and driving position. Front legroom was 44.7 inches (114 cm). Authentic wire wheels were produced by Kelsey-Hayes, chromed everywhere except the plated and painted "Skylark" center emblem.
The Skylark returned in 1954 with radically restyled styling unique to the Buick line, which included wheel cutouts that could be painted in a contrasting color to the body's. The trunk was sloped into a semi-barrel, and tail lights moved to large chromed fins projecting atop the rear fenders.
Re-designated model 100, the car was based on the all-new shorter Century/Special series 40 chassis and not the larger series 60 Roadmaster/Super chassis, also all-new for 1954. Once again, all Skylarks were built as 2-door convertibles and carried the same luxury equipment as before, but front leg room dropped 2.4 inches (6.1 cm). While smaller and lighter, the Skylark received a performance boost by retaining the big Buicks' powertrain, an evolutionary improvement of 1953's with the highest output in the division's lineup.
The 1954 Skylark once again had unique sheet metal stampings for its elongated wheel cutouts and new semi-barrel trunk, though fabrication was done without hand labor. The hood ornament was unique, adopted the following year across the Buick product line.
Sales proved to be poor, reflecting the Skylark's continued high price of US$4,843 ($54,947 in 2023 dollars ) coupled with a perceived step-down from the Roadmaster/Super series using the Century's chassis, slumping far enough to cause the model's cancellation at the end of the 1954 model year, with only 836 being manufactured.
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Common 1982 Buick Skylark problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1982 Buick Skylark, several common problems have been reported:
- Quality Issues: The 1982 Buick Skylark, part of the X-Body platform, faced significant quality problems from the beginning. Owners reported various quality issues that plagued these cars, affecting their reliability and overall satisfaction.
- Mechanical Ills: The Skylark, along with other X-Body cars, suffered from mechanical problems that impacted its performance and longevity. These issues included engine-related problems, transmission issues, and other mechanical failures that led to frequent visits to the service department.
- Transmission Problems: Some owners experienced transmission issues with the Skylark, such as gear slippage, difficulty shifting, or complete transmission failure. These problems not only affected the driving experience but also added to the overall maintenance costs of the vehicle.
- Electrical System Failures: Electrical system failures were another common complaint among Skylark owners. Issues like faulty wiring, malfunctioning components, and electrical shorts could lead to various problems, including starting issues, dashboard malfunctions, and lighting failures.
- Rust and Corrosion: The 1982 Buick Skylark was prone to rust and corrosion, especially in regions with harsh weather conditions or exposure to road salt. Owners reported rust developing on the body of the car, particularly in areas prone to corrosion, leading to aesthetic concerns and structural integrity issues.
- Fuel System Problems: Some owners faced fuel system problems with the Skylark, including issues with fuel injection, fuel delivery, or fuel leaks. These problems could affect the car's performance, fuel efficiency, and overall safety.
- Overall Reliability Concerns: The combination of various mechanical, electrical, and quality issues contributed to overall reliability concerns among Skylark owners. The frequent need for repairs, maintenance, and the car's reputation for being unreliable affected the ownership experience and satisfaction levels.
These common problems reported by owners of the 1982 Buick Skylark highlight the challenges faced by drivers of this particular model, shedding light on the issues that impacted its performance, reliability, and overall appeal in the market.
How many miles per gallon did a 1982 Buick Skylark get?
For Skylark buyers wishing for more power and smoothness (at the expense of fuel economy), the 2.8-liter 60° V6 was available as an option in 1982. 41 miles per gallon on the highway might have been possible under perfect conditions, at exactly 55 mph.
Are Buick Skylarks rare?
This steep price tag made Skylark a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. Despite its high cost, 1,690 Skylarks hawked. This low production number has made Skylark a rare and highly valued car today. The 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible is one of the most beautiful and rarest American cars of all time.
Was Buick Skylark a muscle car?
No, the Skylark is not a muscle car. That is one of the reasons why Buick made the Gran Sport-now, the Gran Sport is a muscle car, and as you all know is much different than a Skylark.
What engine did the Buick Skylark have?
The base engine in Buick Skylarks (and Buick Special sedans) became a 250-cubic-inch 250 cu in (4.1 L) Chevrolet I6, that produced 155 hp (116 kW) at 4200 rpm using a single-barrel Rochester carburetor.
How many miles per gallon did a 1982 Buick Skylark get?
For Skylark buyers wishing for more power and smoothness (at the expense of fuel economy), the 2.8-liter 60° V6 was available as an option in 1982. 41 miles per gallon on the highway might have been possible under perfect conditions, at exactly 55 mph.
Was Buick Skylark a muscle car?
No, the Skylark is not a muscle car. That is one of the reasons why Buick made the Gran Sport-now, the Gran Sport is a muscle car, and as you all know is much different than a Skylark.
Are Buick Skylarks rare?
This steep price tag made Skylark a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. Despite its high cost, 1,690 Skylarks hawked. This low production number has made Skylark a rare and highly valued car today. The 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible is one of the most beautiful and rarest American cars of all time.
What engine did the Buick Skylark have?
The base engine in Buick Skylarks (and Buick Special sedans) became a 250-cubic-inch 250 cu in (4.1 L) Chevrolet I6, that produced 155 hp (116 kW) at 4200 rpm using a single-barrel Rochester carburetor.
1982 Buick Skylark car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Skylark problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Seat belts problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1982 Buick Skylark vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1982 Buick Skylark complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1982 Buick Skylark.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1C4AC69RXCV
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: ENGINE STALLS WHEN CORNERING OR WAITING AT INTERSECTIONS WITH STOP LIGHTS WHENEVER AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES EXCEED 85 DEGREES F*. MUST WAIT LONGER AS TEMPS. INCREASE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 4
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK WHILE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, FOUR PEOPLE INJURED AND ONE DEATH DUE TO SEAT BELT FAILURE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-10
- VIN: 1G4AB69R8CT
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE CALIPERS LOCKED UP. *SD
1982 Buick Skylark recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1982 Buick Skylark.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: REAR BRAKE HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY WHEN THE METAL END FITTINGS WERE INSTALLED. SOME REAR BRAKE HOSES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE METAL END FITTINGS WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE PULLING FORCE SPECIFIED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 106, "BRAKE HOSES".
- Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE REAR BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
- Summary: UNDER CERTAAIN CONDITIONS, THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK FILLER VENT PIPE COULD FRACTURE. THE FRACTURE OF THESE CLAMPS COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE AT ANY OF THE FOUR PIPE TO HOSE CONNECTIONS. LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR DURING REFUELING, OR WHILE DRIVING, IF THE FUEL TANK IS ABOVE 3/4 FULL.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND VENT PIPE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
- Summary: THE CLUTCH CABLE MAY RUB AGAINST THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE PIPE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS OPERATED. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE MAY RESULT IN WEAR THROUGH OF THE INSULATION ON THE CLUTCH CABLE. THE RESULTING METAL ON METAL CONTACT COULD LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE BRAKE PIPE, LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE ACTION.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT SYSTEM BY PROVIDING A MINIMUM 1/2 INCH CLEARANCE BETWEEN CLUTCH CABLE AND BRAKE PIPE TO AVOID METAL ON METAL CONTACT.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1982 Buick Skylark problems:
1980 Skylark - Buick - General - Antique Automobile Club of ...
Feb 9, 2003 ... ... recalls. They ... Buick dealer was very helpful in resolving the problems without cost to me. ... 1982 base Omega sedan, as well as a 83-85 Skylark.
CC/Auto-Biography: 1980 Buick Skylark - True Confession: I Gave ...
Oct 21, 2021 ... And oddly, our Skylark fleet didn't have the common ... problems or issues. Not paying for anything ... common on the Buicks of that era. Having ...
1984 Buick Skylark .To keep engine running must pour gas into ...
Apr 6, 2014 ... If pressure is ok you may have an injector issue. These injectors were known to cause problems like this, they may be failing internally or ...
79 Corvette Door Lock Mechanism Very Stiff - CorvetteForum ...
Mar 7, 2009 ... Is this a common problem? Thanks ... 1982 to 1991 Buick Skylark ( All Four Doors ) ... problems, repair · Subscribe · C3 Tech/Performance · Today's ...
GM 2.2 engine problems — Car Forums at Edmunds.com
Dec 25, 2001 ... The basic engine goes back to 1982,millions have been produced. ... It drove my brother-in-law's Buick Skylark with the 2.4 engine for nearly ...
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