AI DamageBuick Reatta: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Buick Reatta across 6 model years: 54 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 80% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 2% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 2% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 2% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 2% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 43 complaints (80% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 3 complaints (6% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (4% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (2% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (2% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1988–1991
- automatic, 4-speed 1988–1991
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 54 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 43 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Total brake failure, while traveling on a 4 lane divided highway, a truck towing a ditch witch on a trailer pulled out in front of me, and when I went to apply the brakes the pedal was hard as a rock, no stoppping power at all, I frantically tried to set the parking brake, but it was too late to keep me from hitting…
Upon impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Also, there were no injuries. Dealer has been contacted.
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.
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.
The abs warning light has come on many times. Dealer not able to determine any problem. Then during july and august of 2000 more consistant problems began to occur. Very bad pull to one side upon braking on one occasion and a stiff pedal with greatly reduced braking effectiveness.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.