1985 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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Common 1985 Buick Somerset problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1985 Buick Somerset, several common problems have been reported:
- Electrical Gremlins: The Buick Somerset has been reported to experience various electrical issues, which can range from minor inconveniences to more serious problems affecting the car's functionality. Electrical issues can be challenging to diagnose and repair, potentially leading to ongoing maintenance needs.
- Brittle Trim and Hardware: Owners have highlighted that the trim and hardware on the Buick Somerset can become brittle over time, leading to issues with components such as door handles, moldings, and other exterior or interior features. Brittle trim and hardware can impact the car's aesthetics and functionality, requiring replacement or repair to maintain the vehicle's condition.
- Mechanical Durability: Despite the reported issues, the Buick Somerset has been praised for its mechanical durability, particularly regarding the 2.5 liter Iron Duke engine and assorted V6 options. These engines have earned a reputation for ruggedness and reliability, providing owners with a sense of confidence in the car's performance and longevity.
- Driving Patterns and Styles: Some owner reviews suggest that the Buick Somerset may have been subjected to less than favorable treatment, potentially impacting its longevity. Factors such as aggressive driving, improper maintenance, or neglect can contribute to premature wear and tear on the vehicle, affecting its overall condition and performance over time.
These common problems with the 1985 Buick Somerset highlight a mix of issues related to both design and maintenance aspects of the car. Addressing these concerns promptly and performing regular maintenance can help mitigate potential issues and ensure the longevity and performance of the vehicle.
Are Buicks expensive to repair?
Are Buicks expensive to maintain? No, they actually fall below the national average for repair costs. RepairPal, one of the leading car ownership resources, found that Buick vehicles average around $608 in annual maintenance.
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.
How long do Buick engines 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.
Are Buicks worth buying?
Buick ranks among the most reliable domestic automakers. Many of Tesla's Superchargers are now open to electric cars from other automakers using an NACS adapter. These models offer comfort and access for seven passengers or more. These top models should suit all budgets.
Are Buick vehicles 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 is a Buick Somerset?
The Buick Somerset was a compact coupe produced by General Motors between 1985 and 1987. Buick had previously used the "Somerset" name as a trim-level package on the Buick Regal in the early 1980s. The Somerset was one of a number of down-sized cars built on GM's N-body.
Do Buicks have good engines?
No, they are not a low-quality car. Check JD Power reliability rankings. Start with 2019 and work your way back as far as you can. You'll not find Buick lower than the top 5 in reliability in any year and many years they are tied with Lexus for #1 or #2.
Why not to buy a Buick?
Buick was included on TopSpeed's list of the “15 Most Unreliable Car Brands Of 2023,” with a Predicted Reliability Rating of 54 out of 100, according to an analysis by Consumer Reports. The 2023 Encore GX was cited as one the worst models to buy.
1985 Buick Somerset car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Somerset problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Buick Somerset vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1985 Buick Somerset complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Buick Somerset.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G4NM27L9FM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE JERKS AND STALL, UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-08
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-28
- VIN: 1G4NJ27L8FM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN VEHICLE AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE, RESTARTS AFTER COOLING. *SKD
1985 Buick Somerset recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1985 Buick Somerset.
- 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).
Additional sources
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