CHEVROLET BERETTA · model year

1991 CHEVROLET BERETTA

72 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1991CHEVROLETBERETTA carries 72 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 BERETTA is electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash with 13 filings, followed by exterior lighting:turn signal:switch (6) and electrical system:ignition (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 1991 BERETTA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

72
Complaints
9
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

72 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2

Recent Complaints

20090720ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THOUGHT IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR IT CHECKED TO BE GOOD THEN I BOUGHT A BATTERY THEN CHANGED THE FUZE AND THE CAR IS STILL DYEING THE BATTERY GAGE STILL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN THEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH THAT TURNS THE TURN SIGNAL OFF AND ON SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHEN IT WAS ON AND NOW THE SOUND OF THE TURN SIGNAL STAYS ON WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS OFF AND BOTH TURN SIGNALS ARE FLASHING AT THE SAME TIME WHEN ITS IN THE OFF POSITION NO FIRE JUST SMOKE. *TR

Mileage: 148,000

20040422STEERING

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.

Mileage: 81,000

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.

Mileage: 81,000

20040422SUSPENSION

THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE PEELING PAINT. THE CLEAR COAT IS ALL OFF BY NOW AND LOOKS AWFUL. THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE CAR IS LOSS. I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2000 BUT IS LOSS AGAIN. THE SUPENSION HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS, I JUST REPLACED SOME PARTS THAT WERE BROKEN, LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T TO MUCH.

Mileage: 81,000

20010409STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IF TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT WHEEL WILL WONDER IN OWN DIRECTION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

20000908ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

LOCATION OF EXHASUT PIPE HAS CAUSED FUEL TANK TO MELT AND LEAK. EXHAUST PIPE BRACKETS WERE BROKEN. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS SUBJECT, 912656F. OWNER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY WHEN STARTING THIS VEHICLE. *AK

20000802POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. VEHICLE JUMPS FURTHER WHEN IN LOWER GEAR. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK PLASTIC RETAINER ON THE CLUTCH LINKAGE DISINTEGRATED AND LINKAGE SEPARATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AND REMAIN IN MOTION. *YH

20000418POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

20000418VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

20000418STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

20000418ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

20000418POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

20000418FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

20000418STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK

I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT 36021MILES,WINDOW MOTORS,POWER LOCKS,ALTERNATOR GENERATOR,HAD THEM REPLACE BACK APPLIQUES( WHICH STILL LEAK)DRIVE AXLE SHAFTAT32000,AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CAR DYING BECAUSE CAR BACKFIRES AND HOSE BLOW OFF, NEED FUEL INJECTORS ,STEERING RACK HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR 3 YRS, ENGINE SEALS HAVE NEVER STOPPED LEAKING. THE CAR WAS REPAINTED BY CHEVROLET 8/93 AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF FAULTY PAINT JOB...ALL THIS WITH A CAR I SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES, AND DETAILED TWICE A YEAR. *AK

20000216CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT. *AK

20000216CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT. *AK

20000216CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DURING FRONTAL CRASH AT APPROX. 25MPH, DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT RETRACT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO PASSENGER. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ALSO BROKE WHEN PASSENGER RECOILED INTO IT. *AK

20000104ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

HAD CAR FIXED AT NON DEALER GARAGE. CALLED DEALER THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT SHOW UP IF FIXED AND TURNED IN TO GENERAL MOTORS. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE GARAGE MAY HAVE CHARGED ME ,THEN TURNED IT IN TO GMC.ITS THE SAME QUAD 4 MOTOR THAT WAS RECALLED IN THE OLDSMOBILE. *AK

19991014CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH AND SHE APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN,VEHICLE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT, AND THEN THERE WERE A CHAIN REACTIO N,THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

19991014CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN. BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE HIT CAR IN FRONT. THIS LED TO A CHAIN REACTION, THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

Compare 1991CHEVROLETBERETTA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1991 CHEVROLET BERETTA have?
The 1991 CHEVROLET BERETTA has 72 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 CHEVROLET BERETTA?
The most-complained component for the 1991 CHEVROLET BERETTA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 1991 CHEVROLET BERETTA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.