Chevrolet BERETTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
322 owner complaints analyzed
15 distinct recall campaigns
97,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 322 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 69 | 21.4% |
| Steering behavior | 58 | 18.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 4.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 38 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 28 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 19 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 16 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 15 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 14 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 12 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 38; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 28; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 19; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 16; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 15; Electrical System:Ignition: 14; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Structure:Body:Door: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 297 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 127 |
| 1996 | 64 |
| 2000 | 54 |
| 2001 | 27 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 127; 1996: 64; 2000: 54; 2001: 27; 2002: 12; 2003: 15; 2004: 9; 2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 69 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 58 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 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 485469 · 1995-06-15 (June 15, 1995)
BRAKE PADS REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507574 · 1996-08-15 (August 15, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482828 · 1995-03-11 (March 11, 1995)
STEERING COLUMN SMOKES, CAUSING LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND COOLANT LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503052 · 1996-03-03 (March 3, 1996)
POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED, DESIGN OF VEHICLE REQUIRES REMOVING RACK AND PINION TO FIX. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483927 · 1995-09-14 (September 14, 1995)
ELECTRICAL SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT PRIOR TO RECALL (91V-206). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976515 · 1995-12-13 (December 13, 1995)
THE CAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM.PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480277 · 1995-01-30 (January 30, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964242 · 1995-04-24 (April 24, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING MORE SO WHEN SLOWING DOWN/STOP. COMPUTER CHIPS CHANGED AND DIAGNOSTIC SHOW NO FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 458108 · 1996-06-12 (June 12, 1996)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 458108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 894215 · 2001-08-13 (August 13, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP, AND ENGINE TO STALL. THEN, AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY SAID THAT DEFECT WAS WITH TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION .*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 894215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 870031 · 2000-09-08 (September 8, 2000)
LOCATION OF EXHASUT PIPE HAS CAUSED FUEL TANK TO MELT AND LEAK. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKETS WERE BROKEN. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS SUBJECT, 912656F. OWNER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY WHEN STARTING THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 870031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 977234 · 1996-01-02 (January 2, 1996)
FUEL LEAK, FITTING AND LINE THAT SITS ON TOP OF ENGINE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977234 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 4 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1987: 5; 1988: 4; 1989: 4; 1990: 2; 1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 0; 1994: 2; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2002: 0