1990 Buick Reatta: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Buick Reatta: 3 recalls, 29 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #90V031000 · 1990 · 857 vehicles
What's wrong: The forward sensor for the air bag May have been incorrectly constructed with part of the wiring harness to the sensor reversed.
Why it matters: The reversal of the wires could cause delay in the deployment of the air bag and increase the severity of the of injury to an unbelted driver in an accident.
The fix: Replace forward discriminating sensor as necessary.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #90V164000 · 1990 · 63,964 vehicles
What's wrong: Transaxle shift control cable May disengage from the from the floor shift control with loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation.
Why it matters: Driver would not be able to determine actual gearposition the transaxle is in, which could result in unexpected vehicle movementand an accident without prior warning.
The fix: Install a transaxle shift control cable retaining clip to prevent cable disengagement.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #91V158000 · 1991 · 18,904 vehicles
What's wrong: Brake indicator light May not light when ignition is in the "on" position, the parking brake is applied, and the shift selector is in the park or neutral gear range.
Why it matters: Vehicles would not meet the requirements of fmvss 101and 105.
The fix: Replace the prom in the body computer module to prevent this condition from occurring.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043004 · 1990 · 39 vehicles
What's wrong: Threaded inflator components May have been damaged during assembly which May allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gasesto escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (23): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (7), warning light on (4).
- Body & structure (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Buick Reatta has 29 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 3 Reatta model years for complaints (2.7× the average Reatta year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 99,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (2 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Buick Reatta.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Buick Reatta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Buick Reatta, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Buick Reatta problems?
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (23), body & structure (2), electrical (1).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Buick Reatta get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Buick Reatta repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.