Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports5 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports

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93,314 miles · Apr 5, 2003

Electrical SystemFireInjury

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. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014004

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1998

Electrical System

MAIN COMPUTER FAILS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AT ANY SPEED. THIS IS THE 4TH COMPUTER REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #531338

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1997

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WATER PUMP/TIMING BELT/COMPUTER/STARTER/TIRES/BRAKES AND FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #526254

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 1997

Electrical SystemFire

AFTER 6 DAYS OF HAVING THE CAR, VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE . *AK

NHTSA ODI #807844

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 1996

Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #804690

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1996

Electrical System

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #510857

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 1996

Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH GOT SO HOT IT STARTED SMOKING AND FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE, STEERING COLUMN GOT SO HOT YOU COULD NOT TOUCH IT.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND COOLED DOWN IN ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #987229

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 1996

Electrical System

ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #505358

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 1995

Electrical SystemFire

THE CAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM.PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI #976515

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 1995

Electrical System

STEERING COLUMN EMITS SMOKE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #489436

Official recalls

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

89V087000 · Seats

May 22, 1989

THE FRONT SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY MAY CONTAIN AN IMPROPER, MISSING AND/OR MISLOCATED WELD THAT COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED SEAT MOVEMENT AND RESULT INPERSONAL INJURY AND/OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR.

Remedy: REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLIES.

89V034000 · Seat Belts

Mar 10, 1989

FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, UNBELTED OR IMPROPERLY BELTEDOCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK TO INJURY THAN IF BELTS ARE PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Remedy: REPLACE IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

88V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Dec 6, 1988

A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK.

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