1992 Chevrolet Beretta Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1992 Chevrolet Beretta most often describe brakes that fail to hold or stop the car, with the pedal dropping toward the floor and ABS faults that return after repairs. Many say the dealer could not find the cause, and most complaints were filed between 1995 and 2001. Fewer reports describe smoke or fire from the steering column or converter, and loose or broken steering and suspension parts.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake or ABS faults that repairs did not fix

   • 20 complaints (38%)
   • typically at 5.5 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners describe brake or ABS problems that continued after repairs such as new pads or rotors, resurfaced rotors, ABS parts or a bled brake system. Many say the dealer could not find the cause or duplicate the problem, and some say the ABS warning light stayed on. Some report jerking, squealing or a limp pedal even after the work was done. Mileage is not listed in these reports, and most were filed in 1998 and 1999.

   What to check: Ask for records of every brake and ABS repair, including which parts were replaced, and whether the ABS warning light has been diagnosed. On a test drive, check for pedal drop, jerking or the ABS light, and ask the dealer to scan for stored ABS codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The braking on the car works when it wants. You apply the brakes and you have a full brake pedal then the next thing you know the pedal goes to the floor almost all the way, as if you were applying manual brakes. It doesn't matter how fast you go . I have been backing out of my garage and the brakes fail, and I can be going down the highway and they fail. …”

   NHTSA complaint #704040, filed 1999-03

   “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”

   NHTSA complaint #709248, filed 1999-07
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes failing to hold or stop the car

   • 22 complaints (42%)
   • typically at 5.2 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2000

   Owners describe the brake pedal dropping toward the floor with little or no braking, sometimes without warning, and longer stopping distances than usual. Some describe a rear brake that stopped working, which put most of the stopping load on the front brakes. Some reports describe a crash, including hitting a guard rail or side swiping a power box, and several describe the problem on hills, when backing out, or at highway speed. Mileage is not listed in these reports, most were filed in 1998 and 1999, and some describe backing out or driving downhill.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake fluid, hydraulic lines and ABS module have been inspected, and ask for any repair records. On a test drive, check that the pedal stays firm when applied repeatedly, and check the dash for an ABS warning light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Whenever ABS brakes are applied, they would fail to work. Took to dealer & had brake pads & rotors repaired or replaced. Problem with module & new brakes sytem reappeared. This has happened at least 7 times. At each time the ABS light keeps coming on. Dealer could not find problem with ABS light.”

   NHTSA complaint #828314, filed 1998-09

   “Driving on a mountain on the way down went to hit brakes ,pedal went to floor without any warning, vehicle did not stop. Had to use hand brakes to gain control. Dealer bled the whole braking system, cannot find problem. This defect can result in an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #818776, filed 1997-11
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Smoke or fire from steering column or converter

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 18,570 mi at 11.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe smoke or fire coming from the steering column, with some noticing a turn signal that did not work properly beforehand. A dealer reportedly attributed a smoke episode to a shorted turn signal switch, and a separate report describes a fire in the steering column while the car was parked. Another report describes a catalytic converter that caught fire, filling the cabin with smoke and heating the console. Where mileage is listed, it is 18,570 miles, and some smoke events happened while the car was parked or being started.

   What to check: Ask whether the turn signal switch and steering column wiring have been inspected or replaced, and ask about any smoke, burning smell or heat from the column. Check that the turn signals work in both directions before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10033399, filed 2003-08, 18,570 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #838295, filed 1999-05
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering or suspension parts loosening or breaking

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 18,570 mi at 11.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe steering parts coming loose or failing, including a steering column with loose bolts and a tie rod end that separated without warning at low speed. Another report describes a lower control arm breaking at low speed, which led to loss of steering control. A separate owner says all four wheel bearings had failed and needed replacing after a service check found excess play. Mileage is not listed in these reports, which were filed between 1995 and 1999.

   What to check: Ask whether the steering column bolts, tie rod ends, control arms and wheel bearings have been inspected or replaced. On a test drive, check for excess play in the steering wheel and listen for clunks over bumps.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “All four wheel bearings have failed and need replacing. Tt consumer states firestone service noted excess free play on bearings, consumer then took vehicle to dealership and confirmed what firestone stated, manufacturer offered to pay half of the $800 consumer declined offer.”

   NHTSA complaint #973567, filed 1995-10

Buying note. Before buying, ask for brake and ABS repair records, check whether the ABS warning light is on, and test the pedal feel on a test drive. Also ask about any smoke, burning smell or steering column repairs, since those appear in a few reports.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 29 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.