1988 Buick Reatta problems

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The Buick Reatta is a low-volume transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, two-door, two-seater grand tourer manufactured and marketed by Buick as a coupe (1988–1991) and convertible (1990–1991) — both featuring a 3.8 liter V6 engine and shortened version of the GM E platform, shared with the seventh generation Buick Riviera.

As Buick's first two-seater and its first convertible since the 1985 Riviera, the Reatta was manufactured in a highly specialized assembly program at the Reatta Craft Center (later known as the Lansing Craft Center) in Lansing, Michigan—achieving production of over 21,000 units in four years.

Overview

For the Reatta's manufacture at the Reatta Craft Center, specialized teams of workers assembled the car at a series of stations rather than on a conventional assembly line. After a team had completed their portion of the assembly, the car would be moved by robots to the next station. Paintwork was performed on site under subcontract to PPG Industries.

The Reatta used GM's transverse "Buick 3800" V6 with 165–170 hp (123–127 kW) and 210–220 lb·ft (285–298 N·m) of torque with the highest output in the last year of production. The car used a fully independent suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, and front wheel drive. Top speed was electronically limited to 125 mph (201 km/h). The Reatta was rated at 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) in the city and 27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) on the highway.

Intended as a halo car for Buick, production was projected at 20,000 Reattas annually, and was available while the Cadillac Allanté and Pontiac Fiero were also available. GM announced the end of production in early 1991.

1988 Buick Reatta

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Common 1988 Buick Reatta problems

The 1988 Buick Reatta is known for several common problems, primarily related to electrical systems and engine performance.

  • Misfire: The 1988 Buick Reatta can experience a misfire, which can cause the car to run poorly under light throttle and act as if it's running on three cylinders when the throttle is increased. This issue can be caused by various components, including the ignition coil pack, ignition control module, map sensor, dirty or bad mass air flow (MAF) sensor, cam position sensor, or a failing crank sensor.
  • Seat Control Wiring: The wiring for the seat controls in the 1988 and 1989 Buick Reatta can become brittle and break over time. This can be fixed by following instructions found on websites like Buick Forums.
  • ABS Pump System: The ABS pump system in the 1988 Buick Reatta may come on when the key is turned, indicating an electrical problem. This issue can be addressed by diagnosing and repairing the underlying electrical problem.
  • Rough Handling: The 1988 Buick Reatta in the Junkyard Find article was described as having been "loved to death" by its final owner, with signs of rough handling such as a spray-painted interior, a pried-open hood, a mangled decklid, and a two-tone rattle-can/Plasti-Dip paint job. This suggests that the car may have been driven aggressively or neglected in its final years, leading to various types of wear and damage.

These common problems with the 1988 Buick Reatta are not necessarily indicative of a poorly designed or unreliable car, but rather reflect the challenges of owning and maintaining a vehicle with complex electrical systems and unique features. Proper maintenance and care can help prevent or address these issues, ensuring that the Reatta remains a reliable and enjoyable vehicle to drive.

1988 Buick Reatta engine

What engine does a 1988 Buick Reatta have?

3.8-liter V-6

Underhood, it's one-size-fits-all: the only engine offered is GM's new 3.8-liter V-6, called the 3800, which is smoothed by a balance shaft and produces a respectable 165 hp at 4800 rpm. It powers the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transaxle.

Is the 1989 Buick Reatta reliable?

Reliable for its age

The brakes are wearing out a bit but that is just normal wear and tear. Overall, i enjoy the car other than the 12 miles per gallon, which is the only bad thing about this car. Rating breakdown (out of 5):

What is the top speed of the 1988 Buick Reatta?

Top speed was electronically limited to 125 mph (201 km/h). The Reatta was rated at 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) in the city and 27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) on the highway.

What is the 0 60 on a 1988 Buick Reatta?

So it has similar acceleration times 0 to 60 takes a brisk nine seconds and quarter mile result is 17.1 seconds at 80..

Is the 1989 Buick Reatta reliable?

Reliable for its age

The brakes are wearing out a bit but that is just normal wear and tear. Overall, i enjoy the car other than the 12 miles per gallon, which is the only bad thing about this car. Rating breakdown (out of 5):

What engine is in the 1988 Buick Reatta?

3.8 L LN3 Buick V6

Buick Reatta
Engine1988–90: 3.8 L LN3 Buick V6 1991: 3.8 L L27 Buick V6
Transmission1988–89: 4-sp 440T-4 automatic 1990: 4-sp 4T60 automatic 1991: 4-sp 4T60-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase98.5 in (2,502 mm)

What is the top speed of the 1988 Buick Reatta?

Performance

0 - 30 mph2.8 s
0 - 100 mph33.3 s
1/4 mile16.7 s @ 81.0 mph
Top speed196 kph (122 mph)
Lateral acceleration0.79 g (8 m/s²)

Is the Buick Reatta FWD or RWD?

The front-wheel drive Reatta was powered by GM's 3.8L V-6 engine and assisted by a four-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle was equipped with four-wheel disc brakes and anti-lock brakes. The original Reatta was introduced as a coupe with the convertible arriving in the 1990 model year.

1988 Buick Reatta car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Reatta problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Air problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Seat belts problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Buick Reatta vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1988 Buick Reatta complaints

The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Buick Reatta.

2004-11-30

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-11-01
  • VIN: 1G4EC11C1JB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: THE VEHICLES ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE BACKING UP. *BF *SC *JB
2004-07-17

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2004-06-15
  • VIN: 1G4EC11C7JB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 1988 REATTA HARDTOP COUPE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS SYSTEM. *AK
2003-09-08

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-09-03
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
  • Summary: 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!*AK
2000-11-30

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-11-01
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1G4EC11C1JB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, HOWEVER BRAKES FAILED AND CONSUMER HIT TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AFTER ACCIDENT AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MAIN BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, THE ABS PUMP RAN 30 SECONDS AND THEN SHUT OFF, BRAKE PEDAL REMAIN FROZEN AT ALL TIMES. *SLC
2000-11-19

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-11-17
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1G4EC11C1JB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: 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!*AK
2000-08-21

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: 1G4EC11C6JB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: 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. ALSO THE DIAGNOSTIC SCREEN SHOWED THE OUTLINE OF THE CAR AND THE 4 BRAKE LOCATIONS INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR (VERY SLOWLY) TO THE SERVICE DEPT BUT ABOUT HALF WAY THERE BOTH BRAKE INDICATORS ON THE DASH BOARD WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK NORMALLY. THE BUICK PLACE HAS HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED? I AM TERRIFIED TO LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE IT AGAIN WITHOUT FINDING SOME EXPLAINATION. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN SHE'S GOING ABOUT 40-60 MPH SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP.
2000-07-10

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-06-14
  • VIN: 1G4EC11C6JB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: 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). *AK
2000-03-05

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-03-01
  • VIN: 1G4EC11C9JB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: 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!! *AK
1999-06-04

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED. NLM
1995-05-25

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BUCKLES INOPERATIVE, MALE WON'T GO INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT

1988 Buick Reatta recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1988 Buick Reatta.

2006-05-19
  • Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
  • Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
  • Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1988 Buick Reatta problems:

I'm Buying! Is the Reatta reliable? - Buick Reatta - Antique ...
I'm Buying! Is the Reatta reliable? - Buick Reatta - Antique ...
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/6841-im-buying-is-the-reatta-reliable/

Jun 26, 2000 ... I read a mechanic's comment that the Reatta has lots of nit-picky problems ... common among the Reattas? ... I have a 1988 Reatta, red with tan ...

1988 Buick Reatta Q&A: Common Problems, Service Engine Soo Light
1988 Buick Reatta Q&A: Common Problems, Service Engine Soo Light
https://www.justanswer.com/car/1i1x2-1988-buick-reatta-service-engine-soo-light.html

Oct 16, 2008 ... Do you want to continue with diagnostics ? Let me know... while you decide, I'm going to go lookup the c339, ...

1989 Buick reatta problems? - Buick Reatta - Antique Automobile ...
1989 Buick reatta problems? - Buick Reatta - Antique Automobile ...
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/187692-1989-buick-reatta-problems/

Feb 14, 2012 ... That can lead to very many issues with lights cruise and hazards. It's a common problem on all gm headlights switches. Mine was fried when I got ...

Buick Reatta Questions - Electrical Problem - CarGurus
Buick Reatta Questions - Electrical Problem - CarGurus
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t27463_ds434042

May 10, 2008 ... This is a very common problem with the digital dash. ... 1990 Buick reatta dash problem 2 Answers ... 1988 Buick Reatta Coupe FWD. -. Maintenance ...

1988 buick reatta electrical problems - Buick Reatta - Antique ...
1988 buick reatta electrical problems - Buick Reatta - Antique ...
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/163716-1988-buick-reatta-electrical-problems/

Jan 30, 2011 ... Ok I'm having troubles with my car the inside electrical are flashing on and off the car runs just fine but the speedometer and the touch ...

Other years of Buick Reatta

buick reatta 1989 photo
Reatta 1989
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buick reatta 1990 photo
Reatta 1990
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buick reatta 1991 photo
Reatta 1991
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buick reatta 1993 photo
Reatta 1993
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buick reatta 1988 photo
Reatta 1988
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