The most-reported Reatta run is 1G4EC13C0LB (1990 builds) with 4 complaints, 2.9× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 47% of reports; 1988 is the worst model year at 1.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Reatta model years 1988–1990.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Reatta has 29 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 32% of every Reatta complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4EC13C0LB•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — | |
| 1G4EC11C1JB•••••• | 1988 | 2 | — | |
| 1G4EC11C6JB•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC11C4KB•••••• | 1989 | 1 | — | |
| 1G4EC13C6LB•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC13C1LB•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC11C7KB•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC11C6KB•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC33C8LB•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC11C9JB•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC13C7LB•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| 1G4EC11C2KB•••••• | 1989 | — | — |
Each of the other 17 Reatta runs has 1 complaint or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Reatta the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 1988 car draws 1.8 complaints per run, a 1989 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 22 | 16 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 10 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1988 at 1.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1989 at 1.4.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 47% of everything Buick Reatta owners report: Service Brakes, 34 of 41 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | — | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — | |
| Tires | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Buick Reatta; the 6 below cover build years 1988 to 1990. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1988–1989 |
| 91V158000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp | 1990 |
| 90V031000 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive | 1990 |
| 90E043004 | Air Bags:frontal | 1990 |
| 90V164000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift | 1990 |
| 89V056000 | Service Brakes, Air:antilock | 1989 |
How serious were they
Of the 41 reports on the Buick Reatta, 12.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Reatta | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 41 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 5 (12.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 110% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick Reatta share of that is 41 complaints over 29 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Reatta VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 41 NHTSA complaints from 29 Reatta runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Reatta production run has the most complaints?
1G4EC13C0LB, a 1990 build, with 4 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Reatta run has 1.4.
Which Reatta years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1988 is heaviest at 1.8 complaints per run and 1989 lightest at 1.4.
How many Reatta complaints involve a crash?
12.2% of 41 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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