1990 Buick Reatta Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1990 Buick Reatta, and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
- 1988
- 1989
- 1990
- 1991
- 1993
3 safety recalls for the 1990 Buick Reatta
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Lamp (service brakes)
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.
Remedy: Replace the prom in the body computer module to prevent this condition from occurring.
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Floor shift (power train)
Transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the from the floor shift control with loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
Remedy: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip to prevent cable disengagement.
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Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
The forward sensor for the air bag may have been incorrectly constructed with part of the wiring harness to the sensor reversed.
Remedy: Replace forward discriminating sensor as necessary.
29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1990 Buick Reatta have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 109,333 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 complaint to NHTSA, March 20, 2020 · Service brakes
“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 majo”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 27, 2007 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1990 Buick Reatta. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16 / 25 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Buick Reatta model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Reatta model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 Buick Reatta | 0 | 10 |
| 1989 Buick Reatta | 1 | 10 |
| 1990 Buick Reatta | 3 | 29 |
| 1991 Buick Reatta | 0 | 2 |
| 1993 Buick Reatta | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1990 Buick Reatta
How do I know if my 1990 Buick Reatta has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1990 Buick Reatta; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buick dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 90V031000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Buick models
- Lesabre3,728 complaints
- Regal3,264 complaints
- Enclave2,501 complaints
- Lacrosse2,122 complaints
- Century1,817 complaints
- Park Avenue1,368 complaints
- Rendezvous1,241 complaints
- Lucerne943 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.