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Buick ReattaModel year report

1990 Buick Reatta Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
99,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.8L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Buick Reatta (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Reatta. The part named most often is brakes, with 24 complaints (83% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and air bags (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the lamp filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Example complaints

Brakes: “In bumper/bumper traffic, 97 degrees, stop and go, ABS brakes failed without warning. No lights on dash. At time was just barely moving. Checked fluid levels, okay, no leaks. Abs brakes just stopped working with no warning lights or other hints. Glad I was behind the wheel and not my wife.”

NHTSA complaint #725584, filed 2000-07

Air bags: “While traveling at 30 to 40 MPH a vehicle jump lanes in front of the Reatta. Reatta, in turn, struck another vehicle in the rear that caused about $8000 in damages. Upon impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Also, there were no injuries. Dealer has been contacted.”

NHTSA complaint #845792, filed 1999-08

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 92,000 and 137,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7567%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 99,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

19951996199719992000102001200420072020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1990 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Reatta FWD3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162519$3,550

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

Recall details for the 1990 Buick Reatta → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.

Other model years of the Buick Reatta

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19902999,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
198910—1—20—Not enough data
198810117,0000—20—Not enough data

All Buick Reatta model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Buick Reatta have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1990 Buick Reatta as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1990 Buick Reatta is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 24 complaints (83% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.

Has the 1990 Buick Reatta been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Reatta get?

The EPA rates the 1990 Buick Reatta (Reatta, 3.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Buick Reatta reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,000 miles and the middle half falls between 92,000 and 137,000 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 27, 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.