FaultScore report
Owners have filed 71 complaints about the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the electrical system.
71
Complaints
12
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
3 complaints report a death.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires
3 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
3 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 1 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FR.SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS
STICKING THROTTLE
SEAT BREAKS FROM TRACK
PARK BRAKE HANDLE FAILURE
STICKING THROTTLE
HINGE PIN FAILURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Risk: 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.
SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS MAY HAVE REDUCED SENSITIVITY OF THE LOCK-UP FEATURE AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR CRASH.
Risk: FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WOULD RESULT INTHE SEAT OCCUPANT ONLY BEING RESTRAINED BY THE LAP BELT IN A CRASH OR SUDDENSTOP, AND AN INCREASED POSSIBILITY OF INJURY.
SEATS
THE FRONT SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY MAY CONTAIN AN IMPROPER, MISSING AND/OR MISLOCATED WELD THAT COULD FRACTURE.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED SEAT MOVEMENT AND RESULT INPERSONAL INJURY AND/OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR.
SEAT BELTS
FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
Risk: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, UNBELTED OR IMPROPERLY BELTEDOCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK TO INJURY THAN IF BELTS ARE PROPERLY BUCKLED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.
Risk: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES WITH A PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT LOCK-UP DURING A VEHICLE CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS MAY BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE LAP BELT THEREBY INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY. CORRECTION: FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS AND BELT ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Seats And Restraints
THE FRONT SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY MAY CONTAIN AN IMPROPER, MISSING AND/OR MISLOCATED WELD. FRACTURE OF A WELD COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED SEAT MOVEMENT. THIS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: BOTH FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES OR DO SO ONLY AFTER WIGGLING THE LATCH PLATE, RESULTING IN A NO-LATCH CONDITION OR SOME DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A LATCHED CONDITION.IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR A VEHICLE CRASH, FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED. CORRCTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FRONT SEAT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED AS REQUIRED.
Fuel System
SMALL CREASES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY FATIGUE AND CRACK RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IF THE LEAK IS UNDETECTED AND THERE IS AN EXTERNAL SOURCE OF IGNITION, A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND FUEL TANKS REPLACED AS REQUIRED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SLID BACKWARDS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON A BIG BOULDER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP HER IN THE CAR. *CB
NHTSA complaint #10050379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SLID BACKWARDS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON A BIG BOULDER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP HER IN THE CAR. *CB
NHTSA complaint #10050379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON JAN,9 2003 I BOUGHT A 1989 CHEVY BERETTA WITH 90000 MILES ON IT FOR THE SUM OF 2300.00 DOLLARS. ON MARCH 31 2003 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL TOLD ME THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10014004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A POP SOUND AND AFTER PULLING OVER, SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #562172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
TO AVOID CRASH, CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES CAUSING A PASSENGER WHO WAS STRAPPED INTO A SEATBELT TO HIT THEIR HEAD ON DASHBOARD, SEAT BELT LATCH BUCKLE DETACHED AND SEPARATED, BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK OR FUNCTION PROPERLY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ANOTHER VECHICLE HIT HIM FROM THE SIDE WHILE GOING 45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #849026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SLID BACKWARDS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON A BIG BOULDER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP HER IN THE CAR. *CB
NHTSA complaint #10050379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SLID BACKWARDS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON A BIG BOULDER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP HER IN THE CAR. *CB
NHTSA complaint #10050379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON JAN,9 2003 I BOUGHT A 1989 CHEVY BERETTA WITH 90000 MILES ON IT FOR THE SUM OF 2300.00 DOLLARS. ON MARCH 31 2003 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL TOLD ME THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10014004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
I'M GLAD I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I FOUND THAT I COULDN'T UN-BUCKLE MY SEATBELT. AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE INCONVEINIENT.
NHTSA complaint #767370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A POP SOUND AND AFTER PULLING OVER, SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #562172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 .
NHTSA complaint #894215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
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 .
NHTSA complaint #894215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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 .
NHTSA complaint #894215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS PART FAILURE CAUSE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF GAS TO FLOW ONTO A HOT ENGINE AND IT ALMOST CAUSED THE CAR TO CATCH FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE GASOLINE COVERED THE PARKING LOT WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR BEFORE I SAW SMOKE. I WAS JUST LUCKY THAT IT DID NOT START A FIRE THAT DAY.
NHTSA complaint #742859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE IT BECOMES STUCK IN LATCH HOUSING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT BE COVERED BY RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #881831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
FRONT SEAT HAS A BROKEN WELD ON THE SEAT FRAME CAUSING NO BACK SUPPORT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
TO AVOID CRASH, CONSUMER SLAMMED ON BRAKES CAUSING A PASSENGER WHO WAS STRAPPED INTO A SEATBELT TO HIT THEIR HEAD ON DASHBOARD, SEAT BELT LATCH BUCKLE DETACHED AND SEPARATED, BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK OR FUNCTION PROPERLY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR KEEPS STALLING CAN'T FIND OUT WHY.
NHTSA complaint #723628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHILD SEAT:SHELL:BOOSTER
THE PLASTIC BELT GUIDE ON THE BOOSTER SEAT BROKE. THE SEAT BELT NOW WILL NOT STAY WITHIN THE BELT GUIDE, THUS MAKING THE BOOSTER SEAT UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE.
NHTSA complaint #721852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
OUTER TREAD ON REAR RIGHT TIRE CAME LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIGHT QUARTER PANEL AND CAUSED RUBBER HOSE TO GAS TANK TO COME OFF. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM
NHTSA complaint #549328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
OUTER TREAD ON REAR RIGHT TIRE CAME LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIGHT QUARTER PANEL AND CAUSED RUBBER HOSE TO GAS TANK TO COME OFF. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM
NHTSA complaint #549328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
OUTER TREAD ON REAR RIGHT TIRE CAME LOOSE CAUSING DAMAGE TO RIGHT QUARTER PANEL AND CAUSED RUBBER HOSE TO GAS TANK TO COME OFF. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM
NHTSA complaint #549328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES. THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS ALSO OPERATE OCCASIONALLY. CONSUMER DOES NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. NOT HAVING LIGHTS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #851828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES. THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS ALSO OPERATE OCCASIONALLY. CONSUMER DOES NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. NOT HAVING LIGHTS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #851828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ANOTHER VECHICLE HIT HIM FROM THE SIDE WHILE GOING 45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #849026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN, EVEN WITH BRAKES ON.
NHTSA complaint #843689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DOORS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE COMING OFF AT THE HINGES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #841814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE OPENING THE DOOR OF IT FELT AS IF THE HINGES FELL ONTO THE GROUND. IT WAS TO THE POINT THAT IF SOMEONE WAS TO LEAN ON THE DOOR WHILE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING HE WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #839422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE CAR IS FALLING APART, AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS OF POOR QUALITY. AND I NEVER RECEIVED AN OWNERS MANUAL FOR MY CAR, IT ALSO HAS AN ALARM IN IT, AND THE DEALER NEVER GAVE ME BOTH REMOTES FOR THE ALARM.I AM ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A LEAK IN MY CAR, AND I CAN'T FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. THE BRAKES ARE ACTING UP ALSO, AND WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM.
NHTSA complaint #705402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CAR IS FALLING APART, AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS OF POOR QUALITY. AND I NEVER RECEIVED AN OWNERS MANUAL FOR MY CAR, IT ALSO HAS AN ALARM IN IT, AND THE DEALER NEVER GAVE ME BOTH REMOTES FOR THE ALARM.I AM ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A LEAK IN MY CAR, AND I CAN'T FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. THE BRAKES ARE ACTING UP ALSO, AND WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM.
NHTSA complaint #705402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.