AI Damage1989 Buick Reatta reliability: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Buick Reatta filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 70% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 10% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (70% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (10% 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
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Please advise if general motors has had other complaints on this matter ...I feel there should some type of refund reason being I did have one bolt back on the front bracket which in turn could have bodily injury to myself or someone else.
I have heard from several other reatta owners that there is a problem with the abs braking system. The braking system has failed without warning on several reattas, and I am afraid of this happening to my car while it is being driven. Because of the number of people affected, I believe this is worth an investigation.
The metal supporting the sunroof is deteriorating & coming apart, causing the sun roof head lining to drop down.
Headlights do not operate; while driving, lights suddenly went out; cause unknown; repair efforts made by dealer; drove home with parking lights only. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,222 of 32,261 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Reatta has 10 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 10, about average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Buick Reatta?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, exterior lighting, tires. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (10%), tires: bulges, blowouts (10%), windows, sunroof (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Buick Reatta?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Buick Reatta from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
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 2026-11-07.