1989 Buick Reatta Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 1989 Buick Reatta (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1989 Buick Reatta. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (70% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (1) and tires (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
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.
- Brakes7 70%
- Exterior lighting1 10%
- Tires1 10%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I have heard from several other Reatta owners that there is a problem with the ABS braking system. The braking system has failed without warning on several reattas, and I am afraid of this happening to my car while it is being driven. Because of the number of people affected, I believe this is worth an investigation.”
NHTSA complaint #724138, filed 2000-06Exterior lighting: “Headlights do not operate; while driving, lights suddenly went out; cause unknown; repair efforts made by dealer; drove home with parking lights only. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #964536, filed 1995-04Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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
- 89V056000Apr 5, 1989Service brakes, air › AntilockCovers: Buick Reatta 1989, Riviera 1989, Oldsmobile Toronado 1989
Left front brake pipe may contact the cruise control servo bracket.
Recall details for the 1989 Buick Reatta → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE90122Front brake steering pullClosed · Sep 24, 1990
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Buick Reatta have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1989 Buick Reatta as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Buick Reatta is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (70% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 1.
Has the 1989 Buick Reatta been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Buick Reatta get?
The EPA rates the 1989 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.
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.