1990 Buick REATTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 29 complaints (69.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
23
79.3%
Engine operation
1
3.4%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
20
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
Structure:Frame And Members
2
Air Bags:Frontal
1
Electrical System:Ignition
1
Service Brakes
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
20
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
Structure:Frame And Members
2
Air Bags:Frontal
1
Electrical System:Ignition
1
Service Brakes
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 20; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE 1990 BUICK REATTA. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN ON THE DEFROSTER TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD FROM FOGGING UP WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 39 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IF THE CAR IS LOW ON FREON. I REALIZE THAT WINDSHIELDS CLEAR UP FASTER IF THE AIR IS DEHUMIDIFIED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE COMPUTER OF THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW ANY AIR TO BE BLOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD IF THE FREON PRESSURE SWITCH DETECTS LOW FREON PRESSURE…
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 CON…
I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE BRAKE SYSTEM CAN FAIL IN THESE CARS WITH NO WARNING. THE MECHANIC THINKS THAT A SWITCH BURNED OUT, WHICH LET THE ELECTRIC PUMP RUN CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL IT BURNED OUT. THERE'S A SENSOR THAT'S SUPPOSED TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE IS APPARENTLY NON-OPERATIVE. THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN HOW THE BRAKES "FELT" WHEN APPLIED UNTIL THE MOMENT THEY SIMPLY FAILED. THE LACK OF A SENSOR HAS LED TO AN EXTREMELY COSTLY REPAIR (ESTIMATED AT $2000 PARTS & LABOR). MORE IMPORTANTLY, …
I'M WRITING A SECOND TIME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I READ THE COMPLAINTS SECTION OF YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND TWO MORE INCIDENTS SUSPICIOUSLY SIMILAR TO MY OWN. I ALSO WROTE ABOUT IT ON THE BUICK REATTA DISCUSSION PAGE ON THE INTERNET AND ONE OTHER PERSON WROTE IN TO SAY HE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A CATASTROPIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING, I FIGURE YOU GUYS WOULD WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. I THINK THAT THIS IS NOT SPECIFIC TO REATTAS BUT WOULD AFFECT EVERY BUICK/GM VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AB…
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V031000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 1990-02-12 (February 12, 1990)
THE FORWARD SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY CONSTRUCTED WITH PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE SENSOR REVERSED.
Consequence: THE REVERSAL OF THE WIRES COULD CAUSE DELAY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG AND INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF THE OF INJURY TO AN UNBELTED DRIVER IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FORWARD DISCRIMINATING SENSOR AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V164000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
Reported: 1990-09-06 (September 6, 1990)
TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FROM THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL WITH LOSS OF GEAR INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT SELECTOR OPERATION.
Consequence: DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL GEARPOSITION THE TRANSAXLE IS IN, WHICH COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENTAND AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: INSTALL A TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO PREVENT CABLE DISENGAGEMENT.
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.
Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 101AND 105.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PROM IN THE BODY COMPUTER MODULE TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION FROM OCCURRING.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
29 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
10.3%Usable mileage3 / 29 records
89.7%Valid incident date26 / 29 records
100.0%Valid filing date29 / 29 records
89.7%Ordered incident and filing dates26 / 29 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
1988
1989
1990
1991
1993
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
770.0%ODI 10081246 · 120,000 mi
FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 1988 REATTA HARDTOP COUPE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM. *AK
REPAIR:RETIRED G.M. MECHANIC TRIED FOR 1 MONTH TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX PROBLEM. HE GAVE UP! I TOOK CAR TO G. M. BUICK DEALER WHO REPORTED "BAD ACCUMULATOR" BUT DIDN'T PERFORM CORRECT PROCEDURE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM.ABS ACCUMULATOR REPLACED BUT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM!*AK
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, HOWEVER BRAKES FAILED AND CONSUMER HIT TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AFTER ACCIDENT AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MAIN BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, THE ABS PUMP RAN 30 SECONDS AND THEN SHUT OFF, BRAKE PEDAL REMAIN FROZEN AT ALL TIMES. *SLC
FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL FADES, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE. *AK UPON SUDDEN STOPPING MOTION APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL , AS IN A PANIC STOP THE PEDAL BECOMES HIGH AND HARD AS IF THE POWER ASSIST HAS DISAPPEARED, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT .*JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
110.0%ODI 725194
OWNER'S WIFE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE (PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE) WITH NO WARNING. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON PA TURNPIKE AT APPROX. 60 MPH. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN TO STOP ON SHOULDER. SERVICE STATION DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS FAILED MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY (IN SOME WAY RELATED TO ABS SYSTEM). *AK
I HAVE HAD CONSTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES OF MY REATTA. THE BRAKES TOTALLY FAILED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER ($1200) THEN THE ACCUMALATER ALONG WITH SEVERAL TRIPS TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE THE BRAKES WILL STILL GO TO THE FLOOR IF PRESSED HARD OR AT A STOP. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THE CAR SO MUCH I'D SELL BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE DEFINITLY NOT UP TO PAR. WHEN I GO THE THE REATTA CLUB PAGE IT SEEMS EVERY ONE HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS. PEASE TRY TO MAKE BUICK FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 BUICK REATTA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 TO 40 MPH A VEHICLE JUMP LANES IN FRONT OF THE REATTA. REATTA, IN TURN, STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR THAT CAUSED ABOUT $8000 IN DAMAGES. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1991: 0 complaints · 1993: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
1991
0
0
0
1993
0
0
0
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
1991
2
0
0
1993
0
1
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Structure:Frame And Members
Air Bags:Frontal
Electrical System:Ignition
Service Brakes
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
—
1ODI 805896
FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL FADES, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE. *AK UPON SUDDEN STOPPING MOTION APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL , AS IN A PANIC STOP THE PEDAL BECOMES HIGH AND HARD AS IF THE POWER ASSIST HAS DISAPPEARED, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT .*JB
FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL FADES, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE. *AK UPON SUDDEN STOPPING MOTION APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL , AS IN A PANIC STOP THE PEDAL BECOMES HIGH AND HARD AS IF THE POWER ASSIST HAS DISAPPEARED, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT .*JB
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
I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE BRAKE SYSTEM CAN FAIL IN THESE CARS WITH NO WARNING. THE MECHANIC THINKS THAT A SWITCH BURNED OUT, WHICH LET THE ELECTRIC PUMP RUN CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL IT BURNED OUT. THERE'S A SENSOR THAT'S SUPPOSED TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE IS APPARENTLY NON-OPERATIVE. THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN HOW THE BRAKES "FELT" WHEN APPLIED UNTIL THE MOMENT THEY SIMPLY FAILED. THE LACK OF A SENSOR HAS LED TO AN EXTREMELY COSTLY REPAIR (ESTIMATED AT $2000 PARTS & LABOR). MORE IMPORTANTLY, …
I'M WRITING A SECOND TIME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I READ THE COMPLAINTS SECTION OF YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND TWO MORE INCIDENTS SUSPICIOUSLY SIMILAR TO MY OWN. I ALSO WROTE ABOUT IT ON THE BUICK REATTA DISCUSSION PAGE ON THE INTERNET AND ONE OTHER PERSON WROTE IN TO SAY HE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A CATASTROPIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING, I FIGURE YOU GUYS WOULD WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. I THINK THAT THIS IS NOT SPECIFIC TO REATTAS BUT WOULD AFFECT EVERY BUICK/GM VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AB…