1988 Buick Reatta Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 80%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 1988 Buick Reatta, 80% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The german teves ABS system installed on reattas are notorious for failures. I would be happy to pay $1000 to fix it and fix it right, but I have seen others spend upwards of $2000 to not fix the problem. I love this collectable car, but I fear driving it because of potential brake failure - and I certainly would never sell it with the known defect. There are not (and never were) many of these on the road, but the safety of people who do drive them is severely at risk. Please help!!”
NHTSA complaint #719711, filed 2000-03“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #728629, filed 2000-08“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, filed 2000-11“Owner's wife experienced total brake failure (pedal would not move) with no warning. Incident occurred on pa turnpike at approx. 60 MPH. Driver was able to coast down to stop on shoulder. Service station diagnosed problem as failed master cylinder assembly (in some way related to ABS system).”
NHTSA complaint #725194, filed 2000-07Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 1988 Buick Reatta
← All problems reported for the 1988 Buick Reatta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology