RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet Beretta

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
72
Latest Aug 22, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 12, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
10 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 72 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 37 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E021000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
DELPHIView on NHTSA.gov
98V027000

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Feb 17, 1998
249,420 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
The risk: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 72
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 22, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BERETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID
11121662
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Mileage
170,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 5, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK IT WAS DISCOVERED ALL 4 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE DRY ROTTING. THE INNER SIDEWALLS WERE CRACKED AND DRIED. THE DRY ROT WAS MORE SEVERE ON THE 2 FRONT TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE TIRE BRAND IS KELLY NAVIGATOR GOLD, THREE OF THE TIRES HAD THE SAME TIRE LINE PJT217KR3102 AND THE FOURTH TIRE IS PJT217KR3002.

NHTSA ID
10159039
Incident
May 23, 2006
Mileage
116,448 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 4, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

ACCELERATOR STUCK, THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES PREVIOUSLY. BUT THIS TIME, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RUN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BUCKNUM, DAMAGE DONE TO ENTIRE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10131506
Incident
Jul 30, 2005
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 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

NHTSA ID
10089031
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Mileage
125,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 23, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10052046
Incident
Dec 26, 2003
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 22, 2003

MY 1996 CHEVROLET BERETTA HAS HAD CHRONIC LEAKING PROBLEMS AROUND THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. FIRST IT WAS FROM VARIOUS BOLTS, THEN FROM THE MAIN GASKET EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I CALLED CAR SHOPS IN THE AREA AND EVERYONE I SPOKE TO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GM 3.1L ENGINES. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THERE IS A FAULTY GASKET IN THESE CARS THAT COSTS ABOUT $600-800 TO REPLACE, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050930
Incident
Dec 22, 2003
Mileage
76,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 8, 2003

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10032499
Incident
Aug 8, 2003
Brakes
Filed Aug 8, 2003

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10032493
Incident
Aug 8, 2003

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Beretta by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100—
1999100—
1998200—
1997100—
1996Viewing722050.9
1995931044.8
1994852052.7
1993370145.8
1992521254.2
1991491658.0
1990392560.4
1989515667.7
19886051764.9
19873610—
1984100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.