Buick REATTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
114,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 1991 model years. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 39 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 30 | 76.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 26 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 26; Service Brakes: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| 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 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 34 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 6; 2000: 21; 2001: 4; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2007: 2; 2014: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10037413 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
ABS COMPONENTS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. I'VE RECENTLY REPLACED MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE ABS SYSTEM (EBCM COMPUTER, REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB AND WHEEL SENSOR). THE CONDITION CAUSED WAS ABS STOPS AT EVERY STOP AND ALSO WARPED THE REAR ROTORS. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WAS ONLY USED A SHORT TIME, NOW I KNOW WHY!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081246 · 2004-07-17 (July 17, 2004)
FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 1988 REATTA HARDTOP COUPE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975917 · 1995-11-30 (November 30, 1995)
IN ALL AROUND WEATHER IT HARD TO START THE CAR AND WHEN DRIVING CAR STALLS . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975917 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 0 |
1988: 0; 1989: 1; 1990: 3; 1991: 0