1996 Chevrolet BERETTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
96,224 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 31 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 16.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 11; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 6; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10032493 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089031 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
I HAVE A 1996 BERETTA Z26 3.1L V6 AND EVERY MORNING WHEN I GET UP AND GO TO WORK MY BACK BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME UNTILL I GET THEM WARMED UP. AND MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON IN THIS CAR ALL THE TIMES.ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES I DONT HAVE ANY BRAKES THE FIRST TIME THEN I HIT THEM AGAIN AND THEY WORK I HAVE RECENTLY HAD BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES REPLACED AND THIS DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I FOUND OUT BY SURFING AND INVESTIGATING ON THE WEB. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719916 · 2000-03-10 (March 10, 2000)
POWER STEERING HOSE BECAME POROUS, SLOW LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727645 · 2000-08-12 (August 12, 2000)
VEHICLE HAS INTERMITENT LOSS OF POWER WHICH CAN OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FIVE TIMES; YET, THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING. THE ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE, AND POWER DROPS TO ABOUT 35 MPH. DEALER REPLACED FUEL FILTER, FUEL PUMP, FUEL GUAGE, O2 SENSOR. THIS TIME, THE DEALER INSISTS THAT IT MUST BE A CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT IS DANGEROUS TO LOSE VEHICLE POWER ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, AND IT IS AGGRAVATING TO BE TOLD BY A DEALER THAT THE "PROBLEM" HAS BEEN "FIXED" FOR THE FIFTH TIME."
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023467 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
HAVE REPLACE ALTERNATOR ABOUT SIX TIMES. MAKES NO DIFFERENCE AT TO OEM, MAKE OR DELCO AUTHORIZED DEALER. ALWAYS TEST GOOD BUT FAILS SHORTLY THEREAFTER WITH NECESSITY TO REPLACE BATTERY AT TIMES. HEARD IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUT CAN FIND NO SUCH REFERENCE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023967 · 2003-06-29 (June 29, 2003)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM; ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY BATTERY DISCHARGES WHEN A/C OR AIR COMPRESSOR IS RUN AT FULL POWER. HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED (AC DELCO, NEW) TWICE IN PAST WEEK. ENTIRE SYSTEM HAS BEEN SCANNED AND NO CODES ARE PRESENT. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STILL EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE. ABLE TO RUN HEATER CONTROL ON FULL POWER, BUT UNABLE TO RUN A/C OR DEFROSTER ON FULL POWER (FAN/BLOWER CONTROL). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023967 at NHTSA ↗