AI Damage1989 Chevrolet Beretta: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta filed 51 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 51
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 16% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 16% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (22% of all).
- Seat belts: 8 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (16% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (12% of all).
- Structure: 6 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 51 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The consumer stated she was thrown out of the back windshield and the seat belt did not keep her in the car.
While consumer was driving another vechicle hit him from the side while going 45mph. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy.
While the first part of the vehicle drove off, the second part of the beretta slammed into the passenger side of continental in which the passenger's foot got stuck, and the fuel tank leaked and exploded, causing a fire. Passengers did not make it out of vehicle.
When applying the abs, causing extended stopping distance which caused a collision to occur. Please give any further details.
While driving and approaching toll plaza at golden gate bridge, vehicle experienced brake failure. Pedal went to the floor and vehicle crashed into a pickup truck. Driver was injured, and vehicle was totaled.
Passengers air bag did not deploy when in car accident hit on front left. Please describe details. Tt
Brakes failed after spraying product called "quicksilver". Please explain. Tt
Took foot off brake to proceed and vehicle accelerated at high speed. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,293 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Beretta has 34 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 51, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, seat belts, service brakes. Total complaints: 51. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%), brake failure (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Chevrolet Beretta from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.