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Buick Reatta Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns across the Buick Reatta, 1988–1993. Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 5 model years with settled counts, the 1990 drew the most (29) and the 1993 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Buick Reatta complaints by model year

52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

19881989199019911993
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1993 · 1 complaints
  • 1991 · 2 complaints
  • 1988 · 10 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1990 · 29 complaints
  • 1989 · 10 complaints
  • 1988 · 10 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1988–1993. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Buick Reatta owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component19881989199019911993
Service brakes 872411
Structure 00210
Visibility 01100
Engine and engine cooling 10000
Seat belts 10000
Exterior lighting 01000
Tires 01000
Air bags 00100

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Buick Reatta recalls (4)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Reatta model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Buick Reatta
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
91V158000Sep 13, 1991BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LAMP LIGHT:BRAKE WARNING1990—
90V164000Sep 6, 1990POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:LEVER AND LINKA1990—
90V031000Feb 12, 1990INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:AIR BAG IMPACT1990—
89V056000Apr 5, 1989BRAKES:AIR:ANTILOCK SYSTEM1989—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198820 mpg
198920 mpg
199019 mpg
199119 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Buick Reatta FAQ

How many recalls has the Buick Reatta had?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns that cover at least one Buick Reatta model year from 1988 to 1993. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Buick Reatta year has the most complaints?

Among the last 5 model years with settled counts, the 1990 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (29) and the 1993 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Buick Reatta problems?

Across the 1988–1993 model years, owners most often name the service brakes, structure, visibility in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Buick Reatta get?

EPA rates the 1991 Buick Reatta at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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