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.
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
1992 Chevrolet Beretta 2-DR
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—
—
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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 8Jan 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 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
Recalls on the 1992 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
92V185000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE SERVICE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH BECOMES INOPERATIVE.
Risk: THE INOPERATIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THESTOP LAMPS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS WOULD NOT ADEQUATELY INFORMOTHER DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR'S INTENT TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199216416,685 units in Canada
Brakes
THE SERVICE BRAKE STOPLAMP SWITCH MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE SERVICE BRAKE STOPLAMPS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. FAILURE OF THE BRAKE STOPLAMPS WOULD RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OF A FOLLOWING VEHICLE NOT BEING WARNED THAT THE LEADING VEHICLE IS DECELERATING AND CRASH COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: SERVICE BRAKE STOPLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED AND WIRING IN THE STOPLAMP SWITCH WIRING HARNESS WILL BE CORRECTED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 18,570 milesSouth Milwaukee, WIFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING A COLUMN OF SMOKE DEVELOPED FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE AFTER NOTICING THAT THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT SEEM TO OPERATE PROPERLY DURING A TURN. THE SMOKE WAS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. IMMEDIATELY STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION STOPPED THE SMOKE. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES TO THE DEALER WITH NO FURTHER SMOKE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SHORTING OUT. THE SWITCH WAS THEN REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED IN SUCH AS WAY THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN DANGER TO OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. OBVIOUSLY, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT USE A FAIL-SAFE DESIGN WHEN THIS CAR WAS BUILT.
NHTSA complaint #10033399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES KNOCKED, PULSATES AND LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION, DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL BRAKE COMPONENTS BUT BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #782564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES KNOCKED, PULSATES AND LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION, DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL BRAKE COMPONENTS BUT BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #782564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenedy, TXFire2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING THE CONSOLE TO BE VERY HOT AND FOR THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FILLED WITH SMOKE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holland, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT A FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. MECHANIC HAS SEEN VEHICLE, BUT HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #838295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chalmette, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #804247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
THE LEVER USED TO ENGAGE THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM BROKE THREE TIMES WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED. WHEN THE LEVER BROKE IT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10055886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,570 milesSouth Milwaukee, WIFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING A COLUMN OF SMOKE DEVELOPED FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE AFTER NOTICING THAT THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT SEEM TO OPERATE PROPERLY DURING A TURN. THE SMOKE WAS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. IMMEDIATELY STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION STOPPED THE SMOKE. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES TO THE DEALER WITH NO FURTHER SMOKE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SHORTING OUT. THE SWITCH WAS THEN REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED IN SUCH AS WAY THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN DANGER TO OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. OBVIOUSLY, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT USE A FAIL-SAFE DESIGN WHEN THIS CAR WAS BUILT.
NHTSA complaint #10033399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corona DEL MAR, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE SYSTEM SQUEAKS AND JERKS WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY. *AK FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED, BUT JERKING AND NOISE STILL CONTINUE.
NHTSA complaint #887058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE HEARD OF PROBLEMS WITH BRETTAS AND CAVALIERS WITH HEAD GASKETS AND CRACK HEADS.
NHTSA complaint #743252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES KNOCKED, PULSATES AND LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION, DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL BRAKE COMPONENTS BUT BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #782564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES KNOCKED, PULSATES AND LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION, DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL BRAKE COMPONENTS BUT BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #782564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DUE TO FAULTY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM, WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY BRAKES GAVE OUT CAUSING CONSUMER TO SIDE SWIPE AN ELECTRICAL POWER BOX ACROSS THE STREET. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #711237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #711237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #711237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #711237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #711237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #711237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE MAKING A "COMPLETE" STOP VEHICLE HAD A "CLICKING" NOISE, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #857291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Angier, NC
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN AND TURN SIGNAL BECAME LOOSE DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER INDICATED BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #848930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenedy, TXFire2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING THE CONSOLE TO BE VERY HOT AND FOR THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FILLED WITH SMOKE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHENEVER ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FEEL LIMP. THE COMPUTER CLICKING LIGHT COMES ON. WOULD HAVE GREATER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN USUAL. HAD BEEN TO DEALER ONCE, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #847718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newburgh, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONCE THE CAR HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM IT HAS NOW GOTTEN WORSE.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT, BUT COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #845772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amelia, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN PRESSED,I HAVE FIXED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS REAR WHEEL CYLINDER AND HARDWARE AND THIS STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.ALSO MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENES
NHTSA complaint #709248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brillerica, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #843029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE JERKS AND THE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #841117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holland, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT A FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. MECHANIC HAS SEEN VEHICLE, BUT HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #838295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parsonsburg, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKING ON THE CAR WORKS WHEN IT WANTS. YOU APPLY THE BRAKES AND YOU HAVE A FULL BRAKE PEDAL THEN THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR ALMOST ALL THE WAY, AS IF YOU WERE APPLYING MANUAL BRAKES. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST YOU GO . I HAVE BEEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THE BRAKES FAIL, AND I CAN BE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THEY FAIL. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR BRAKE WORK AND I GET THE SAME RESPONCE EACH TIME(WE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG), NOW FINALLY ON THE FIFTH TIME THE PUT THE CAR ON SOME KIND OF COMPUTER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY ABS MODULATOR WAS BAD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BERRETTA & CORSICA. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MY PROBLEM........... THANK YOU !!!!
NHTSA complaint #704040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Clair Shores, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHENEVER ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY WOULD FAIL TO WORK. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD BRAKE PADS & ROTORS REPAIRED OR REPLACED. PROBLEM WITH MODULE & NEW BRAKES SYTEM REAPPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 7 TIMES. AT EACH TIME THE ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM WITH ABS LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #828314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Clair Shores, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHENEVER ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY WOULD FAIL TO WORK. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD BRAKE PADS & ROTORS REPAIRED OR REPLACED. PROBLEM WITH MODULE & NEW BRAKES SYTEM REAPPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 7 TIMES. AT EACH TIME THE ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM WITH ABS LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #828314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.