← New search

1988 Chevrolet Beretta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Beretta years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 60 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

60 reports
187,631 miles · Dec 27, 2003
Seat BeltsStructure

RECALL OF 1988 CHEVY BERETTA DOOR HINGES/SEAT BELTS/HOOD LATCHES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051168

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ODI #769857

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Seat Belts

FEMALE SIDE OF DRIVER SEAL BELT COVER BROKE OFF 1-2 YEAERS AGO, SO I HAVE BEEN BUCKLING DRIVER BELT INTO PASSENGER BELT. COVER ON FEMALE SIDE BROKE OFF SO ANY PRESSURE APPLIED TO FEMALE SIDE WITH A BELT BUCKLED INTO IT RELEASES THE BELT. THE DRIVER HARNESS BROKE TODAY WHERE THE SHOULDER HARNESS MEETS THE LAP BELT. BOTH PIECES…

Read full complaint

FEMALE SIDE OF DRIVER SEAL BELT COVER BROKE OFF 1-2 YEAERS AGO, SO I HAVE BEEN BUCKLING DRIVER BELT INTO PASSENGER BELT. COVER ON FEMALE SIDE BROKE OFF SO ANY PRESSURE APPLIED TO FEMALE SIDE WITH A BELT BUCKLED INTO IT RELEASES THE BELT. THE DRIVER HARNESS BROKE TODAY WHERE THE SHOULDER HARNESS MEETS THE LAP BELT. BOTH PIECES THAT BROKE WERE PLASTIC. THE BELT MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER CAMPAIGN 90C36. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745870

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages

ON THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2000, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA REGARDING A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR 1988 CHEVROLETS BERETTAS. I TRIED TO TALK TO GMC AND THE CHEVROLET DEALER NEAR MY HOUSE ABOUT FIXING THE LATCH ON THE CAR, IT WAS BENT. I HAD NO LUCK AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONES THAT WERE RECALLED. I WAS GOING …

Read full complaint

ON THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2000, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA REGARDING A RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED FOR 1988 CHEVROLETS BERETTAS. I TRIED TO TALK TO GMC AND THE CHEVROLET DEALER NEAR MY HOUSE ABOUT FIXING THE LATCH ON THE CAR, IT WAS BENT. I HAD NO LUCK AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT ONE OF THE ONES THAT WERE RECALLED. I WAS GOING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A SHOP THAT SATURDAY TO TRY TO GET THE LATCH FIXED. I HAD TO WORK THE NEXT DAY AND SINCE THE HOOD WOULDN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY, I STRAPPED IT DOWN. THE LATCH AND THE STRAP DIDN'T HOLD AND THE HOOD FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD, BREAKING IT AND BENT THE HOOD IN THE MIDDLE. I WAS DRIVING SLOW AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MY PASSENGERS AND I WERE LUCKY. I KNOW MY CAR IS AN OLDER MODEL AND OLD CARS NEED REPAIRS BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS BROKE ON THE CAR WHEN IT LEFT THE PLANT. NOW I HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK AND STILL HAVE TO GET A NEW HOOD AND A NEW WINDSHIELD. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS. THANKS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723041

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages

AFTER HOOD WAS JAMMED AND OPENED, COULD NOT CLOSE IT BECAUSE LATCH DID NOT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862141

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Structure

MY HOOD FLEW UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND IT IS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS THE TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING AHEAD OF ME I SLOWED DOWN AND THIS OCCURED. I HAD TWO PASSENGERS THAT WERE TOTALLY STARTLED BUT LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I DID NOT KNOW THAT …

Read full complaint

MY HOOD FLEW UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND IT IS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS THE TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING AHEAD OF ME I SLOWED DOWN AND THIS OCCURED. I HAD TWO PASSENGERS THAT WERE TOTALLY STARTLED BUT LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HOOD LATCH UNTIL I HAPPENED UPON THIS WEB SITE. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING THE INTEREST OF THE CONSUMER. FINALLY I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY CAR SINCE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. I JUST LAST WEEK HAD A COMPANY COME OUT AND REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FOR ABOUT $135.00 I DO NOT HAVE ANY ESTIMATES FOR THE HOOD YET.

NHTSA ODI #711059

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

HOOD FLEW OFF AND DAMAGED WINDSHIELD. MJS

NHTSA ODI #546476

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Structure

PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR BROKE AND CAME OFF THE FRAME BECAUSE ONE OR TWO OF THE HINGES BROKE. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #840909

Mileage unknown · May 17, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

STALLS GOING AROUND CORNERS, WHEN YOU PUT THE BRAKE ON IT STAHLS, BUT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. ALSO DOES IT IN REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI #706575

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1999
Structure

DOOR HINGES FAILED THIS GREATLY. THIS WOULD COMPROMISE THE STRUTURAL INTEGRETY OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING A CRASH, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF LIFE AND OR LIMB DEALER HAS INFORMED MYSELF OF SAFTY BULLETIN ON THIES PARTS FAILING IN 1988 BERETTAS & CORSICAS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705877

Official recalls

4

91V206000 · Seat Belts

Nov 26, 1991

THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS MAY HAVE REDUCED SENSITIVITY OF THE LOCK-UP FEATURE AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Not supplied

91V135000 · Structure:body:hood

Aug 19, 1991

SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND COULD BECOME BENT. THIS WILL LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE FULL PRIMARY LATCH ENGAGEMENT IS NOT ATTAINED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A BENT SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COULD LEAD TO THE PRIMARYLATCH NOT BEING FULLY ENGAGED, ALLOWING THE HOOD TO UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN. IF THISWERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE HOOD MAY CONTACT THEWINDSHIELD, REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OF THE DRIVER AND A VEHICLE CRASHCOULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: REPLACE THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY, AND THE SUPPORT BRACKET.

89V225000 · Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

Dec 18, 1989

A DOOR HINGE (UPPER OR LOWER) MAY BREAK WHILE OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REPOSITION AND CLOSE PROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: HINGE SEPARATION MAY REDUCE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OFTHE SIDE OF THE CAR AND INCREASE RISK OF INJURY IN CERTAIN TYPES OF ACCIDENTS.

Remedy: REPLACE DOOR HINGES ON BOTH DOORS.

88V039000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Mar 23, 1988

SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ADJUSTED RESULTING IN LATCH BECOMING BENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A BENT SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COULD CAUSE THE PRIMARYLATCH TO MALFUNCTION. IF THIS OCCURED THE HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN. IFTHIS HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION REDUCTION OF FORWARD VISIBILITY COULDCAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AS REQUIRED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

17

EA92025 · Fr.seat Belt Buckle Fails

Opened Jul 16, 1992 · Closed Jul 8, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

EA92024 · Sticking Throttle

Opened Jun 26, 1992 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE92048 · Seat Breaks From Track

Opened May 12, 1992 · Closed Sep 28, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

There is no summary currently available

PE92043 · Park Brake Handle Failure

Opened Apr 22, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE92021 · Sticking Throttle

Opened Feb 24, 1992 · Closed Jun 26, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA92003 · Hinge Pin Failure

Opened Jan 17, 1992 · Closed Sep 9, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA90041 · Brake Performance

Opened Aug 29, 1990 · Closed Mar 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

EA90026 · Hood Latch Failure

Opened May 11, 1990 · Closed Aug 28, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

DP90008 · Inadequate Brakes

Opened Apr 19, 1990 · Closed Aug 29, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

INADEQUATE BRAKES

EA90007 · Loss Of Steering

Opened Nov 15, 1989 · Closed Oct 29, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

DP89014 · Safety Belts

Opened Sep 22, 1989 · Closed Feb 27, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

SAFETY BELTS

PE89161 · Steering Binds

Opened Sep 8, 1989 · Closed Nov 15, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE89096 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened Mar 2, 1989 · Closed Aug 21, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

===

EA89008 · Door Hinge Pins

Opened Jan 5, 1989 · Closed Mar 14, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA88040 · Rear Wheel Spindle

Opened Sep 13, 1988 · Closed Mar 14, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE88087 · Door Hinge Pin Failure

Opened Aug 2, 1988 · Closed Jan 5, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE88045 · Left Rear Wheel Spindle

Opened Apr 12, 1988 · Closed Sep 13, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available