1983 Buick Skyhawk recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
5 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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 C…
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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).
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 SKYHAWK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E043000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: 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).
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FRAM FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
What could happen: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The fix: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 SKYHAWK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V079000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.
Consequence: DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.
Notes: SYSTEM: DRIVERS SEAT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE DRIVERSSEAT.
3. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.
What could happen: IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
The fix: REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 SKYHAWK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V165000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Summary: INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence: IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
Remedy: REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.
Notes: SYSTEM: PULSAIR CHECK VALVEVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH 2.0L ENGINES.
4. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 SKYHAWK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V105000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
Summary: THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: SINCE THIS IS A DUAL BRAKE SYSTEM, PART OF THE SYSTEMWILL STILL WORK AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED, BUT OVER A GREATERDISTANCE. PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPINGDISTANCE IS REQUIRED COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
5. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.
What could happen:
The fix: THE FUEL FEED LINE FITTING BOLT AND TWO WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 SKYHAWK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V096000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
Summary: POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE FUEL FEED LINE FITTING BOLT AND TWO WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.0 LITER ENGINES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT WHEN FUEL LEAKAGEOCCURS, A FIRE COULD START AND COULD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT,CAUSING SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY TO PASSENGERS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1983 Buick Skyhawk owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
09/08/1995 · Steering
WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE OR WHEN WARMING UP THE CAR THE STEERING EFFORT INCREASES. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT