AI Damage1991 Chevrolet Beretta: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Chevrolet Beretta filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 49
- involving a crash
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 41% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 24% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 20 complaints (41% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 12 complaints (24% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (12% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 6 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 49 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 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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.
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.
Brakes failed, and vehicle hit car in front. This led to a chain reaction, three other cars were hit. There were no injuries.
Driver was hit broadside and pushed into a pole and driver's side air bag didn't deploy .
Consumer was drivnig on a off ram when he applied the brake andthere were no brakes, causing an accident . Please describe .
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…
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.
Steering wheel column was replaced because if turning right or left wheel will wonder in own direction. Dealership was aware of problem.
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.
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 5,395 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Beretta has 34 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 49, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Chevrolet Beretta?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, exterior lighting, service brakes. Total complaints: 49. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (41%), headlights and tail lights (6%), airbags did not deploy (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 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 1991 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 1991 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.