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Buick Reatta brake problems

45 of the 56 complaints filed about the Buick Reatta are about the braking system — 80% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1990.

45

Complaints

80%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

1988 Reatta 10 22.2%

Median failure at 117,000 miles

1989 Reatta 8 17.8%
1990 Reatta 25 55.6%

Median failure at 118,000 miles

1991 Reatta 1 2.2%
1993 Reatta 1 2.2%

What owners said

1990 Buick Reatta at 99,000 miles Vernon, 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.

1991 Buick Reatta Avinger, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 BUICK REATTA. 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.

NHTSA complaint #10659048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Buick Reatta 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.

1988 Buick Reatta Irvine, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE VEHICLES ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE BACKING UP. *BF *SC

NHTSA complaint #10103946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Buick Reatta at 120,000 miles Eureka, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 1988 REATTA HARDTOP COUPE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10081246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Buick Reatta at 137,000 miles Eureka, 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.

1988 Buick Reatta at 114,000 miles Rising SUN, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

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!

NHTSA complaint #10037413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Buick Reatta 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.

1990 Buick Reatta 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.

1990 Buick Reatta 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.

1989 Buick Reatta Clementon, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE ABS BRAKES ON BUICK REATTA.

NHTSA complaint #737205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Buick Reatta Willims, NJ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

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. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #875742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Buick Reatta Willims, NJ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #875742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1988 Buick Reatta Willliamstown, NJ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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 THE TRUCK THAT HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. 1988 - 1990 REATTAS'S NEED TO BE RECALLED. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS TYPE OF SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WILL LEAD TO A FATALITY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE!

NHTSA complaint #736580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1990 Buick Reatta 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.

1990 Buick Reatta Merrimack, NH Crash

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.

1990 Buick Reatta 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.

1988 Buick Reatta Boaz, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MY DAUGHTER HAS A 1988 REATTA. SHE WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES TO TURN INTO WENDY'S WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD ONLY BE DEPRESSED ABOUT 1". IT FELT AS IF YOU WERE STANDING ON A BRICK. THE CAR DID NOT OFFER TO STOP. SHE WAS COMING UP ON THE BACK END OF A TRUCK - SHE APPLIED THE E-BRAKE - NOTHING. SHE FINALLY GOT THE CAR STOPPED BY THROWING IT UP INTO PARK. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE BUICK SHOP THE YELLOW ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. ALSO THE DIAGNOSTIC SCREEN SHOWED THE OUTLINE OF THE CAR AND THE 4 BRAKE LOCATIONS INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR (VERY SLOWLY) TO THE SERVICE DEPT BUT ABOUT HALF WAY THERE BOTH BRAKE INDICATORS ON THE DASH BOARD WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK NORMALLY. THE BUICK PLACE HAS HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED? I AM TERRIFIED TO LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE IT AGAIN WITHOUT FINDING SOME EXPLAINATION. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN SHE'S GOING ABOUT 40-60 MPH SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #728629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Buick Reatta Seminole, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THE CAR SO MUCH I'D SELL BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE DEFINITLY NOT UP TO PAR. WHEN I GO THE THE REATTA CLUB PAGE IT SEEMS EVERY ONE HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS. PEASE TRY TO MAKE BUICK FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #725641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1989 Buick Reatta Seminole, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

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. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THE CAR SO MUCH I'D SELL BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE DEFINITLY NOT UP TO PAR. WHEN I GO THE THE REATTA CLUB PAGE IT SEEMS EVERY ONE HAS SIMILAR PROBLEMS. PEASE TRY TO MAKE BUICK FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #725641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.