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.
Interior/Under Dash
1337.1%
Switch
617.1%
Ignition
411.4%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR
411.4%
Flasher Unit
25.7%
Starter Assembly
25.7%
Turn Signal
25.7%
Injectors
25.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
1991 Chevrolet Beretta 2-DR
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
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.
Feb 1995peak 13Jul 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
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.
1
investigation is
still open.
DP96014Opened 14 Nov 1996Still openAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICL...
PE94062Opened 4 Aug 1994Closed 30 Dec 1994STEERING
STEERING COLUMN SMK/FLAMES
EA92024Opened 26 Jun 1992Closed 31 Jan 1994VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
STICKING THROTTLE
PE92021Opened 24 Feb 1992Closed 26 Jun 1992VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
STICKING THROTTLE
EA91023Opened 10 Apr 1991Closed 5 Jun 1991STEERING
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
PE91048Opened 20 Feb 1991Closed 10 Apr 1991STEERING
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION
Recalls on the 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
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.
United States — NHTSA
91V083000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
NUT ATTACHING STEERING WHEEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING INSTALLATION.
Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM STEERINGCOLUMN; LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19910865,858 units in Canada
Steering
THE NUT ATTACHING THE STEERING WHEEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING INSTALLATION. THIS COULD ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: STEERING WHEEL NUT WILL BE CHECKED AND TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION IF NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Modesto, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #718813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #718813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #718813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vandalia, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH AND SHE APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN,VEHICLE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT, AND THEN THERE WERE A CHAIN REACTIO N,THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #850784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vandalia, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN. BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE HIT CAR IN FRONT. THIS LED TO A CHAIN REACTION, THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #850785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goodlettsville, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD DUE TO TWO POSITIVE WIRES CONNECTING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #849818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 148,000 milesCardington, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THOUGHT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR IT CHECKED TO BE GOOD THEN I BOUGHT A BATTERY THEN CHANGED THE FUZE AND THE CAR IS STILL DYEING THE BATTERY GAGE STILL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THAT TURNS THE TURN SIGNAL OFF AND ON SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHEN IT WAS ON AND NOW THE SOUND OF THE TURN SIGNAL STAYS ON WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS OFF AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS ARE FLASHING AT THE SAME TIME WHEN ITS IN THE OFF POSITION NO FIRE JUST SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #10277509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
STEERING
THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #10068796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #10068796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
SUSPENSION
THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #10068796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas, MI
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IF TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT WHEEL WILL WONDER IN OWN DIRECTION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #885491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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.
NHTSA complaint #870031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, MI
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. VEHICLE JUMPS FURTHER WHEN IN LOWER GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK PLASTIC RETAINER ON THE CLUTCH LINKAGE DISINTEGRATED AND LINKAGE SEPARATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AND REMAIN IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #866587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #721529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #721529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #721529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #721529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #721529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #721529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoffman Estates, IL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING
I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #721529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #718813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #718813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT.
NHTSA complaint #718813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HAD CAR FIXED AT NON DEALER GARAGE. CALLED DEALER THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT SHOW UP IF FIXED AND TURNED IN TO GENERAL MOTORS. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE GARAGE MAY HAVE CHARGED ME ,THEN TURNED IT IN TO GMC.ITS THE SAME QUAD 4 MOTOR THAT WAS RECALLED IN THE OLDSMOBILE.
NHTSA complaint #716852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vandalia, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH AND SHE APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN,VEHICLE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT, AND THEN THERE WERE A CHAIN REACTIO N,THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #850784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vandalia, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN. BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE HIT CAR IN FRONT. THIS LED TO A CHAIN REACTION, THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #850785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln Park, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
SMOKE WAS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 35 MPH. THIS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE COLLISION DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #850558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
FLOOR GETS WET AND FEET ARE SLIPPING OFF PEDALS
NHTSA complaint #713074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goodlettsville, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD DUE TO TWO POSITIVE WIRES CONNECTING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #849818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayne, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN GO TO START VEHICLE UP, SOMETHING WITHIN THE IGNITION CAUSES CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO OVERHEAT. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, THE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #846092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayne, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHEN GO TO START VEHICLE UP, SOMETHING WITHIN THE IGNITION CAUSES CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO OVERHEAT. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, THE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #846092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.