1990 Buick Reatta: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes, hydraulic.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 1991
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“We have had the car over 10 years and it had a hard pedal when you first start it up then as we use the brakes they work better”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2010
“Complete failure of anti brake system on my 1990 buick reatta also-- as specifically reported from other reatta owners. Dealer states there are problems --- reatta internet sites states there are major problems --- NHTSA website list several complaints / personal accounts of ABS failure. How many incidents / deaths will it take for buick or NHTSA to correct this factory / part defect? What a disgrace of public safety shown by buick and NHTSA. Dealer states oem replacement parts are available -- $1500.00-$2000.00. Same part manufacture, same continuous defect. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2007
“Failure of hydralic/ABS brake system on my 1990 buick reatta convertible requiring replacement of entire brake master cylinder and ABS system. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Brakes would not stop car while backing down driveway. Intermittent problem. Also have had brake failures at road speed where car swerves when brakes applied. Have taken car to dealer many times and they can't find anything wrong. Have contact with many reatta owners who have this same dangerous condition that can't be resolved by the dealer. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2001
“Both times we experienced total brake failure. The brake pedal was "hard" (would not move). Both times there was no warning ie. No ABS light on dash and no brake light on dash. Both time the failure occured while driving at a low rate of speed so there was no damage to the car or diver.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2000
“Brake boost failed only once, after 500 miles of driving, then worked okay again for another 50 miles. No panel indicators showed. When braked hard I was able to slow the car down enough to make the curve at roadway exit. During this slow deceleration a whine or screech came out from under the hood. Checked with users group on web. They have started to see this problem within the past year and are not sure what caused this intermittant problem. Very dangerous situation with no warning.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2000
“In bumper/bumper traffic, 97 degrees, stop and go, ABS brakes failed without warning. No lights on dash. At time was just barely moving. Checked fluid levels, okay, no leaks. ABS brakes just stopped working with no warning lights or other hints. Glad I was behind the wheel and not my wife.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2000
“One side brakes harder than the other causing car to swerve. Have checked the buick reatta club home page and this is a too common problem. It has happened about every two weeks for years. We have properly maintained the car, but the dealers are at a loss of what to do. There are no warning lights when this happens and no codes set in the computer. I think this is a very dangerous situation, and buick should be required to at least research the problem and come up with a fix. I would be willing to pay as I don't want to die in my car.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2000
“ABS system completly failed with no warning, had to pump brakes and finaly came to a stop without hitting anything. Buick offered to pay one third of the repair cost then they backed out of that agreement. I have since found out through the buick owners of america that this is not a insolated problem. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2000
“While braking normally, brakes failed to grab, and may have resulted in potential damage to other cars. This has happened 2x before. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT MAY NOT LIGHT WHEN IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION, THE PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED, AND THE SHIFT SELECTOR IS IN THE PARK OR NEUTRAL GEAR RANGE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PROM IN THE BODY COMPUTER MODULE TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION FROM OCCURRING.
TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FROM THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL WITH LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO PREVENT CABLE DISENGAGEMENT.
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
THE FORWARD SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY CONSTRUCTED WITH PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE SENSOR REVERSED.
Remedy: REPLACE FORWARD DISCRIMINATING SENSOR AS NECESSARY.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Check your exact Reatta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Buick Reatta reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Buick Reatta. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic.
Does the 1990 Buick Reatta have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.