Buick Somerset 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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Buick Somerset model years
Common Buick Somerset problems
The Buick Somerset was a compact car produced by General Motors in the 1980s, and it was known for several common problems that owners reported.
One of the most common issues was electrical gremlins, which could cause a variety of problems, including malfunctioning radios, lights, and other electrical systems. The radio with tiny pushbuttons was indecipherable while driving, and the pod-configuration made it virtually impossible to upgrade. This was a significant issue for many owners, as the electrical problems could be difficult to diagnose and repair.
Another common problem with the Buick Somerset was cooling system failures, which could lead to engine overheating and catastrophic engine damage. One owner reported that their Somerset blew up after a cooling system failure. This issue was particularly problematic for owners who lived in hot climates or who drove their cars in heavy traffic, as the cooling system could be put under significant strain in these conditions.
The Buick Somerset also had issues with the brakes, which needed to be replaced every 20,000 miles in some cases. This was a significant maintenance cost for many owners and could be a safety concern if the brakes failed while driving.
Another common problem with the Buick Somerset was the sagging headliner, which could be a cosmetic issue but could also obstruct the driver's view. This issue was particularly common in cars that had been driven for several years and had experienced wear and tear on the interior.
Finally, the Buick Somerset had issues with the dashboard separating from the instrument cluster, which could be a safety concern if the dashboard separated while driving. This issue was particularly common in cars that had been driven for several years and had experienced wear and tear on the interior.
In summary, the Buick Somerset had several common problems that owners reported, including electrical gremlins, cooling system failures, brake issues, sagging headliners, and dashboard separation. These issues could be costly to repair and could also be safety concerns for drivers.
Are Buick engines reliable?
According to data compiled by RepairPal, Buick earns a respectable reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0. This puts Buick in 13th rank among 32 surveyed brands for mechanical robustness and lower ownership costs.
What year did the Buick Somerset come out?
And platform platform that was engineered by Oldsmobile Division. And not only spawned. The somerset Regal for the 1985. Model year. But also the olds Calais. And the Pontiac Grand Am.
Which Buick model is the most reliable?
The Buick model that is the most reliable and ranks the highest in its vehicle category is the Buick Enclave, which ranks 3 out of 68 Most Reliable Luxury Crossover SUVs. You can see the rest of the Buick vehicles and their rankings below.
How many miles can a Buick engine last?
Buicks and Longevity
In fact, they generally last 200,000 miles, or about 13 years, which placed them third overall (and first among luxury brands) in J.D. Power's 2020 vehicle dependability survey. Of course, preventive maintenance and driving habits have a lot to do with a car's longevity.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Buick Somerset years
We have researched Buick problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Buick Somerset cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Buick Somerset model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Buick Somerset model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Buick Somerset years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Buick Somerset car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Buick Somerset , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
- Seat belts problems
- Structure problems
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Buick Somerset vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Somerset model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 11 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Buick Somerset . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Buick Somerset vehicles.
List of Buick Somerset complaints
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2000-04-17
- VIN: 1G4NM27U4GM
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE PAINT IS RUSTING BEHIND THE SURFACE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. NLM
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1992-08-14
- Date Complaint: 1999-07-14
- VIN: 1G4NM27L36M
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRE'S ON VEHICLE (UNIROYAL RALLYE HP 205/70R 13MS), HAVE ALL SHOWN SIGNS OF FLAWS, BULGE AND SEPARATION CAUSING FAILURE. MJS
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-03
- Date Complaint: 1998-05-06
- VIN: 1G4NJ2712GM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE FROZE DUE TO A PUNCTURED OIL FILTER CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW. THE OIL FILTER IS ON THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE AND HANGS 2-3 INCHES BELOW THE FRAME.
Buick Somerset 1985
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 1997-10-26
- VIN: 1G4NM27L9FM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE JERKS AND STALL, UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. NLM
Buick Somerset 1985
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-08
- Date Complaint: 1997-03-24
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 1996-09-13
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE ELECTRIC IGNITION MODULE KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED (4) TIMES IN THE LAST (5) YEARS.*AK
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 1995-12-04
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: RACK AND PINION STEERING STICKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1990-10-10
- Date Complaint: 1995-11-03
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE EA94-039. TT
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-01
- Date Complaint: 1995-07-17
- VIN: 1G4NJ27U5GM
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED, CAUSING BELT TO BECOME STUCK IN CASE. *SKD
Buick Somerset 1985
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-28
- Date Complaint: 1995-03-28
- VIN: 1G4NJ27L8FM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN VEHICLE AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE, RESTARTS AFTER COOLING. *SKD
Buick Somerset 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-06
- Date Complaint: 1994-11-29
- VIN: 1G4NM27U4GM
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *SKD
Recalls Buick Somerset
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Buick Somerset.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Buick Somerset 1985
- Report Received Date: 2006-05-19
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
- Model: Buick Somerset 1986
- Report Received Date: 2006-05-19
- Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Are you having problems with your Buick Somerset?
