Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1980 Skylark.
The 1980 Buick Skylark arrives on the reference record with its model complaint history documented only for the 1990–2000 span, a period that peaks at 100 complaints in 1995 before tapering to a single complaint by 2000. Since the 1980 model year falls outside the tracked window, its place in the nameplate's reliability arc cannot be fixed from the available data, leaving researchers to note the gap rather than assign a trend position. The overview therefore frames the 1980 Skylark as a reference point preceding the complaint record entirely, with the subsequent decade showing a sharp decline in reported issues by the final year covered.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 200.4 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 53.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in |
| Curb weight | 2623 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Skylark of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | GS 455 Stage I Hardtop Coupe 7.5L V8 | 5.50 sec | 13.50 sec | 360 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER UNIT INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT". THIS INCORRECT UNIT CAUSES THE… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FLASHER UNIT WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT HIGH MILEAGE WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT TO BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED TYPE OF STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.