The 1993 Buick Skylark has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake rotor, pad and pedal complaints.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1993 Buick Skylark.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
8 NHTSA complaints · 1994-07 → 2003-08
“CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS WARPING, HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, TIRES ALSO RELACED DUE TO CUPPING(FROM WARPED ROTORS) AND PADS REPLACED ONCE”
“FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE TO 1/32 OF METAL, PADS FAULTY, CRUMBLING OFF ON THE EDGES, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IS NORMAL”
“CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD TRAVEL EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 1996-07
“ABS BRAKES; SYSTEM WILL FAIL TO ACTIVATE BRAKING SPEED 5 TO 45 MPH PEDAL BECOMES SOFT, POPS THEN GOES DOWN”
“ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING, SPEED SENSOR ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL”
“VEHICLE HAS ABS. IF IT IS WET THE BRAKES LOCK AND SLIP AND SLIDE”
STEERING
3 NHTSA complaints · 1998-10 → 2000-12
“WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH STEERING WHEEL DROPPED INTO DRIVER'S LAP WHEN SHE MADE A LEFT”
“ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE”
“DEALER FOUND TILT HOUSING LOCK PIN WAS MISSING RETAINER AND IT WAS LOOSE, DEALER DISASSEMBLED COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND TRIM, REPAIRED TILT ASSEMBLY”
SEATS
3 NHTSA complaints · 1998-03 → 2008-03
“THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS AFTER BEING REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 40+MPH”
“CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED”
“HEADRESTS FAIL TO STAY IN POSITION, SAFETY HAZARD; MOUNT FAILS TO LOCK POSITION OF HEADRESTS”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
6 NHTSA complaints · 1994-12 → 2004-10
“VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50-60 MPH”
“WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 MPH AND 70 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING”
“OWNER STATES VEHICLE SHUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC FOR UNKNOWN REASON, HE ALSO NOTES THAT ONCE ENGINE SHUTS OFF VEHICLE IS HARD TO START AGAIN”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5 NHTSA complaints · 1995-03 → 2002-02
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITH NO WARNING”
“VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPON SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR/EMBANKMENT AND BUILDING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES”
“CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION UPON RELEASING CRUISE CONTROL”
POWER TRAIN
4 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 2000-02
“AUTO-TRAN: TRANSMISSION DRUM CRACKED; CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE; BURNED OUT CLUTCHES; WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY”
“CHAIN IN TRANSMISSION BROKE DUE TO A WEAK LINK IN THE CHAIN, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE”
“VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1993 Buick Skylark reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.