IllustrationMileage unknown · Oct 27, 1998
Power TrainVisibility
NONE
NHTSA ODI #700150
1996 Chevrolet Beretta
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 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
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: 8 of 72 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. 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.
9 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
72 reportsNONE
VEHICLE SHAKES AND TRIMBLES WHEN DRIVEN.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO ONE DIRECTION, CAUSING A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. UPON IMPACT, SEATBACK FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER SUPPORT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SEATS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH INJURY. VEHICLE SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE.
DRIVER SEAT MOVES BACK AND FORTH WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPING OR ACCELERATING.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER TRIED TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP. PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK
PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKES TO GRB/GRIND. *AK
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING A COLLISION, RESULTING IN INJURIES. ALSO, ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE, LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. *AK
BECAUSE THE WAY THE HEASLIGHTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRONT GRILLE, THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY IS LOOSE. WHEN USING THE HEADLIGHTS, EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD MAKES THE HEADLIGHTS BOUNCE AND FLICKER. *AK
MANUAL GEAR SHIFT JAMMED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
Official recalls
198V027000 · Interior Lighting
Feb 17, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.