1990 Buick REATTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 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 13 of 19 complaints (68.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 78.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
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 | 13 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 13; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 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 | 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). 16 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 | 2 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2000: 10; 2001: 3; 2004: 1; 2007: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 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.
Owner report 10081247 · 2004-07-17 (July 17, 2004)
FAILURE OF HYDRALIC/ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 1990 BUICK REATTA CONVERTIBLE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 137,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184415 · 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189137 · 2007-04-27 (April 27, 2007)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10189137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11318794 · 2020-03-20 (March 20, 2020)
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-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552388 · 2000-05-24 (May 24, 2000)
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717543 · 2000-01-19 (January 19, 2000)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722782 · 2000-05-16 (May 16, 2000)
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723531 · 2000-06-03 (June 3, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723531 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V158000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp
Reported: 1991-09-13 (September 13, 1991)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗