Defect Involved

General Motors has decided that certain 1997 Buick Skylark sedan vehicles may not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 301, "Fuel System Integrity". During assembly of the left rear quarter panel, some welds may have been missed because of a faulty fixture.

In the event of a rear-end crash, the vehicle sheet metal structure may not perform as designed. This could result in unexpected damage to the fuel tank or fuel lines and leakage of fuel. If there is a fuel leak and an ignition source, a fire could occur.

To prevent this possibility, dealers are to inspect for the missing welds and, if necessary, place three welds between the involved panels and apply primer, sealer and anti-corrosion material.