NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1995peak 4Mar 2020
Recalls on the 1990 Buick Reatta
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1991130452 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S.105- HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS AND C.M.V.S.S.101- CONTROL LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION. THE BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE "ON" POSITION, THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED, AND THE SHIFT SELECTOR IN THE (P) PARK OR (N) NEUTRAL GEAR RANGE POSITION. CORRECTION: THE PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY MEMORY (PROM) IN THE BODY COMPUTER MODULE (BCM) WILL BE REPLACED.
Recall 19901421,541 units in Canada
Powertrain
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE FLOOR CONTROL ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INDICATOR REFERENCE AND SHIFT OPERATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE GEAR INDICATED BY THE SELECTOR THEREBY ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE OR TO PROCEED IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE ONE SELECTED. CORRECTION: TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED ON SUSPECT VEHICLES.
Recall 19900294 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE FORWARD DISCRIMINATING SENSOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (AIR BAG) SYSTEM MAY HAVE BEEN MISBUILT. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD RESULT IN DELAYED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG WITH POSSIBLE INJURY TO THE DRIVER. CORRECTION: FORWARD DISCRIMINATING SENSOR WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Merrimack, NHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITANT FAILURES WHERE ABS WOULD EITHER ENGAGE OR WHEELS WOULD LOCK AND/OR THE CAR WOULD LUNGE LEFT OR RIGHT. IN 10 MONTHS NUMEROUS DEALERSHIPS WERE NEVER ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEMS, ALWAYS SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM ON CAR.
NHTSA complaint #733756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chattanooga, TNCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #845792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calcutta, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 45-50 MPH THE DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE HARD, AND ONE WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #819829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 99,000 milesVernon, AL
SERVICE BRAKES
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
NHTSA complaint #11318794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexander City, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 CONTINUOUS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10189137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesSulphur, LA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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. THE SYSTEM SHOULD ALLOW AIR WARM AIR TO BE BLOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD TO DEFOG THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS AN UNSAFE DESIGN WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DEFOG YOUR WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF A BAD FREON SWITCH OR BECAUSE OF LOW FREON. IN LOUISIANA THERE ARE MANY DAYS IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD NEEDS DEFOGGING DUE TO HIGH HUMIDITY OR RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10184415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesEureka, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FAILURE OF HYDRALIC/ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 1990 BUICK REATTA CONVERTIBLE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10081247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS SINCE NEW. MANY TIMES THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD PULL TO ONE SIDE AND THIS IS DOCUMENTED IN REPAIR ORDERS AT THE DEALER. DEALER NEVER WAS ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM AT THE TIME OF THE RO.IN 1996 DEALER REPLACED ABS RELAYS TO CORRECT CONCERNS OF ABS SYSTEM INOPPERABLE. 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. TOOK TO DEALER FOR THESE PROBLEMS , RO STATES RED BRAKE LIGHT AND YELLOW ABS WARRNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. REPLACED ACCUMULATOR. LEFT DEALER AND WITH IN BLOCKS WARNING LIGHT COMES BACK ON. RETURN TO DEALER AND DISCUSS REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM. BEGIN TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON WEB AND FIND REATTA OWNERS GROUP FORUM WITH MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT ARE OF THE SAME NATURE INVOLVING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. BUICK, DEALER AND OWNER (ME) SPLIT THE 3291.91 BILL 3 WAYS AFTER SEVICE MANAGER AND FACTORY SERVICE REP. REVIEW INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE REATTA OWNERS FORUM. MY FEELING IS THAT THE TEVES BRAKING SYSTEM USED BY BUICK/GENERAL MOTORS ON MANY VEHICLES DURING THE LATE 80.
NHTSA complaint #752260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cross Roads Felton, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BOTH TIMES WE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS "HARD" (WOULD NOT MOVE). BOTH TIMES THERE WAS NO WARNING IE. NO ABS LIGHT ON DASH AND NO BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH. BOTH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED SO THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR DIVER.
NHTSA complaint #739844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP CAR WHILE BACKING DOWN DRIVEWAY. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ALSO HAVE HAD BRAKE FAILURES AT ROAD SPEED WHERE CAR SWERVES WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HAVE CONTACT WITH MANY REATTA OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT CAN'T BE RESOLVED BY THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #739424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrimack, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT FAILURES RESULTING IN NEAR MISSES ON HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #733758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrimack, NHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITANT FAILURES WHERE ABS WOULD EITHER ENGAGE OR WHEELS WOULD LOCK AND/OR THE CAR WOULD LUNGE LEFT OR RIGHT. IN 10 MONTHS NUMEROUS DEALERSHIPS WERE NEVER ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEMS, ALWAYS SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM ON CAR.
NHTSA complaint #733756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
BRAKE BOOST FAILED ONLY ONCE, AFTER 500 MILES OF DRIVING, THEN WORKED OKAY AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 50 MILES. NO PANEL INDICATORS SHOWED. WHEN BRAKED HARD I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN ENOUGH TO MAKE THE CURVE AT ROADWAY EXIT. DURING THIS SLOW DECELERATION A WHINE OR SCREECH CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CHECKED WITH USERS GROUP ON WEB. THEY HAVE STARTED TO SEE THIS PROBLEM WITHIN THE PAST YEAR AND ARE NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS INTERMITTANT PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #731902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macclenny, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #725584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grants Pass, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #723531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONE SIDE BRAKES HARDER THAN THE OTHER CAUSING CAR TO SWERVE. HAVE CHECKED THE BUICK REATTA CLUB HOME PAGE AND THIS IS A TOO COMMON PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT EVERY TWO WEEKS FOR YEARS. WE HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED THE CAR, BUT THE DEALERS ARE AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND NO CODES SET IN THE COMPUTER. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND BUICK SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO AT LEAST RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND COME UP WITH A FIX. I WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY AS I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #723591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honolulu, HI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE BRAKING NORMALLY, BRAKES FAILED TO GRAB, AND MAY HAVE RESULTED IN POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO OTHER CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #724147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN VEHICLE LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #722782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tall Timbers, MD
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #717543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 ABS SYSTEM. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BAD SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE ELECTRIC PUMP. THE PUMP BURNED OUT. THERE SHOULD'VE BEEN A DASHBOARD WARNING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN ONLY THE SWITCH WAS BURNED OUT, BUT THE SENSOR READING THE SWITCH HAD ALSO FAILED!!! THAT LEFT ME WITH NO BRAKES AND NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL CHANGE IN HOW THE BRAKES FELT UNTIL THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM!!! SINCE THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 4,000 REATTAS PRODUCED IN 1990, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE INCIDENCE OF THIS PROBLEM IS WAY TOO HIGH TO BE IGNORED. IF OTHER BUICKS AND GM VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM, YOU ARE LOOKING AT A POTENTIALLY HUGE PROBLEM OUT THERE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #715091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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, IT ALLOWED A SITUATION WHEREIN THE BRAKES COULD FAIL WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING TO THE DRIVER. I TOOK A COMPLETE LOSS ON THIS CAR IN TRADING IT IN. I WAS PLANNING TO SELL IT ANYWAY, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE CASH TO FIX THIS HUGE PROBLEM, SO I JUST TRADED IT TO THE DEALER UNREPAIRED. BECAUSE OF THE NON-OPERATIVE BRAKES, I RECEIVED $800 FOR A CAR WITH A BLUE BOOK VALUE OF AROUND $6,000. I WANT BUICK MOTOR COMPANY TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND MAKE SURE EVERY REATTA ON THE ROAD DOESN'T HAVE A SIMILARLY FAULTY SENSOR THAT COULD LET THESE OTHER SYSTEMS' FAILURES GO UNDETECTED.
NHTSA complaint #714752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chattanooga, TNCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #845792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kirtland, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE LITTLE BRAKING POWER. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN GRADUALLY AND CAME TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #837068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Hills, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #781764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calcutta, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 45-50 MPH THE DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE HARD, AND ONE WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #819829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTION, PULLS OCCASIONALLY ON REAR LEFT SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #526224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flint, MI
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE VEHICLE'S FRAME HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED AND CORRODED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #808670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.