AI Damage1992 Chevrolet Beretta: common problems
Owners of the 1992 Chevrolet Beretta filed 52 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 52
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 54% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 28 complaints (54% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (12% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (12% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 5 complaints (10% 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 52 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 28 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 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 car has total brake failed,abs brakes did not work at 5 mph. Tt consumer was leaving parking garage, he started engine pulled out of parking lot, and started up ramp about a 45% angle, consumer put his foot on the brake and the brake pedal went to the floor, consumer did this two more time but nothing happened,…
Airbag did not deploy during front end collision; vehicle rearended another moving vehicle. Tt
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.
Brake system squeaks and jerks when starting to drive vehicle for the day. Front rotors were resurfaced and brakes were adjusted, but jerking and noise still continue.
Steering column and turn signal became loose due to loose bolts within the steering column. Dealer indicated bolts needed to be replaced.
Catalytic converter caught fire causing the console to be very hot and for the inside of the vehicle to become filled with smoke. Nlm
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
Shortly after vehicle was parked in a parking lot a fire started in the steering column. Mechanic has seen vehicle, but had no explanation for the fire.
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 5,242 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 52, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- 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 1992 Chevrolet Beretta?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 52. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (17%), brake failure (13%), warning lights, check engine (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 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 1992 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 1992 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.