1996 Chevrolet Beretta: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 72 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt*: the contact stated during a routine maintenance check it was discovered all 4 tires on the vehicle were dry rotting. The inner sidewalls were cracked and dried. The dry rot was more severe on the 2 front tires. All four tires were replaced. The manufacturer was not alerted. The tire brand is kelly navigator gold, three of the tires had the same tire line pjt217kr3102 and the fourth tire is pjt217kr3002.”Owner report · Tires · May 2006
“Accelerator stuck, this was not the first time this has happened. It has happened about 8 times previously. But this time, the accelerator stuck causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle and run off the road and crash into a concrete bucknum, damage done to entire car. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2005
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chevrolet beretta. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 07e021000 (fuel system, other). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 1996 beretta z26 3.1l v6 and every morning when I get up and go to work my back brakes locked up on me untill I get them warmed up. And my ABS light stays on in this car all the times.also sometimes when I hit my brakes I dont have any brakes the first time then I hit them again and they work I have recently had both front and back brakes replaced and this didnt fix the problem this is a common problem I found out by surfing and investigating on the web. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2004
“The consumer's vehicle was stopped to make a left turn when he was rear ended by another vehicle and caused the consumer to rear end another vehicle. Upon impact, neither of the frontal air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. *ak *sc *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2003
“My 1996 chevrolet beretta has had chronic leaking problems around the lower intake manifold. First it was from various bolts, then from the main gasket even though the car only has 75k miles on it. I called car shops in the area and everyone I spoke to said this was a common problem with the gm 3.1l engines. It's ridiculous that there is a faulty gasket in these cars that costs about $600-800 to replace, but there is no recall. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2003
“Electrical problem; alternator/ battery battery discharges when a/c or air compressor is run at full power. Have had alternator replaced (ac delco, new) twice in past week. Entire system has been scanned and no codes are present. Replaced the battery and still experiencing power failure. Able to run heater control on full power, but unable to run a/c or defroster on full power (fan/blower control). *nlm”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2003
“Have replace alternator about six times. Makes no difference at to oem, make or delco authorized dealer. Always test good but fails shortly thereafter with necessity to replace battery at times. Heard it was a design problem due to excessive heat but can find no such reference. *nlm”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2003
“The exterior paint on the hood, trunk, and roof shows signs of excessive chipping. The problem is once a single chip occurs then the paint peels all the way around it. The peeling of the paint is out of control. It is ridiculous as this car has been garage kept for 6 out of 7 years.*jb”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2002
“This has been an ongoing problem since I purchased the vechicle. I took the car back to the dealer and was ttold they "lubed the rotors". The ABS light has been coming on and off recently. Today I went to stop and the brakes kept going I had to put on the emergency brake.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
How other years compare
Check your exact Beretta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta reliable?
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Chevrolet Beretta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,224 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.