1988 Buick Reatta Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 117,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Buick Reatta (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1988 Buick Reatta. The part named most often is brakes, with 8 complaints (80% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and seat belts (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 117,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes8 80%
- Engine cooling1 10%
- Seat belts1 10%
Example complaints
Brakes: “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, filed 2003-09, 114,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 114,000 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Buick Reatta version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reatta FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Buick Reatta in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Buick Reatta.
Other model years of the Buick Reatta
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 29 | 99,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1989 | 10 | — | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 10 | 117,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Buick Reatta have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1988 Buick Reatta as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Buick Reatta is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 8 complaints (80% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.
Has the 1988 Buick Reatta been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Buick Reatta get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Buick Reatta (Reatta, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Buick Reatta reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 117,000 miles and the middle half falls between 114,000 and 120,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.