Total Complaints
71 filings
CHEVROLET BERETTA · model year
1992 CHEVROLET BERETTA
71 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1992CHEVROLETBERETTA carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 6 fires, 6 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 1992 BERETTA is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 22 filings, followed by exterior lighting:turn signal:switch (4) and electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash (3). 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 1992 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.
71
Complaints
3
Crashes
6
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 22 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 3 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040127EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
THE LEVER USED TO ENGAGE THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM BROKE THREE TIMES WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED. WHEN THE LEVER BROKE IT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. *JB *MR
Mileage: 20,000
20030824FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING A COLUMN OF SMOKE DEVELOPED FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. THIS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE AFTER NOTICING THAT THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT SEEM TO OPERATE PROPERLY DURING A TURN. THE SMOKE WAS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. IMMEDIATELY STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION STOPPED THE SMOKE. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES TO THE DEALER WITH NO FURTHER SMOKE. THE CHEVROLET DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH SHORTING OUT. THE SWITCH WAS THEN REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE EVEN THOUGH THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED IN SUCH AS WAY THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN DANGER TO OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. OBVIOUSLY, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT USE A FAIL-SAFE DESIGN WHEN THIS CAR WAS BUILT.*AK
Mileage: 18,570
20010430SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE SYSTEM SQUEAKS AND JERKS WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY. *AK FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED, BUT JERKING AND NOISE STILL CONTINUE. *YH
20010405ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE HEARD OF PROBLEMS WITH BRETTAS AND CAVALIERS WITH HEAD GASKETS AND CRACK HEADS. *AK
20001025SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES KNOCKED, PULSATES AND LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION, DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL BRAKE COMPONENTS BUT BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *ET
20001024SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES KNOCKED, PULSATES AND LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASION, DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL BRAKE COMPONENTS BUT BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *ET
20000426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DUE TO FAULTY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM, WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY BRAKES GAVE OUT CAUSING CONSUMER TO SIDE SWIPE AN ELECTRICAL POWER BOX ACROSS THE STREET. NLM
20000407SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
20000407SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
20000407SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
20000407FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
20000407ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
20000407VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BULLETINS ON SAME PROBLEMS. WHY WON'T GM FIX THESE? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
20000222SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE MAKING A "COMPLETE" STOP VEHICLE HAD A "CLICKING" NOISE, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19991109STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN AND TURN SIGNAL BECAME LOOSE DUE TO LOOSE BOLTS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER INDICATED BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
19990930FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING THE CONSOLE TO BE VERY HOT AND FOR THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FILLED WITH SMOKE. NLM
19990914SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHENEVER ABS BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FEEL LIMP. THE COMPUTER CLICKING LIGHT COMES ON. WOULD HAVE GREATER STOPPING DISTANCE THAN USUAL. HAD BEEN TO DEALER ONCE, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. *AK
19990824SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONCE THE CAR HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM IT HAS NOW GOTTEN WORSE.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT, BUT COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
19990727SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN PRESSED,I HAVE FIXED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS REAR WHEEL CYLINDER AND HARDWARE AND THIS STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.ALSO MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENES
19990722SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Compare 1992CHEVROLETBERETTA to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1992 CHEVROLET BERETTA have?▼
The 1992 CHEVROLET BERETTA has 71 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 CHEVROLET BERETTA?▼
The most-complained component for the 1992 CHEVROLET BERETTA is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 22 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH.
Is the 1992 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.