VehicleVerdict

1989 Chevrolet Beretta problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1989 Chevrolet Beretta sits mid-pack among Beretta years: 71 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 54, with 5 recalls and 6 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (12), seat belts (9), and brakes (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

71

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

6

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

13

Injuries

6

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Beretta years?

Beretta NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted129 complaints1984: 1 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 90 complaints1989: 71 complaints1990: 54 complaints1991: 72 complaints1992: 71 complaints1993: 50 complaints1994: 129 complaints1995: 128 complaints1996: 108 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 1 complaints2002: 2 complaints
Beretta NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Beretta years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Chevrolet Beretta problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1217%
Seat Belts913%
Brakes913%
Engine710%
Body & Structure68%
Seats57%
Tires & Wheels46%
Transmission34%
Fuel System34%
Lighting34%
Speed Control34%
Airbags34%
Steering23%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

91V206000Seat BeltsNovember 26, 1991 · 722,884 units

Defect

THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS MAY HAVE REDUCED SENSITIVITY OF THE LOCK-UP FEATURE AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR CRASH.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WOULD RESULT INTHE SEAT OCCUPANT ONLY BEING RESTRAINED BY THE LAP BELT IN A CRASH OR SUDDENSTOP, AND AN INCREASED POSSIBILITY OF INJURY.

89V087000SeatsMay 22, 1989 · 642 units

Defect

THE FRONT SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY MAY CONTAIN AN IMPROPER, MISSING AND/OR MISLOCATED WELD THAT COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE UNEXPECTED SEAT MOVEMENT AND RESULT INPERSONAL INJURY AND/OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR.

Remedy

REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLIES.

89V034000Seat BeltsMarch 10, 1989 · 29,951 units

Defect

FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATES MAY NOT ENGAGE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

Consequence

IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, UNBELTED OR IMPROPERLY BELTEDOCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK TO INJURY THAN IF BELTS ARE PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Remedy

REPLACE IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

88V189000Fuel SystemDecember 6, 1988 · 13,095 units

Defect

A FUEL TANK LEAK COULD OCCUR DUE TO SMALL CREASES ON THE TANK UNDERSIDE CRACKING DURING PRESSURE CYCLING WHICH OCCURS DURING NORMAL OPERATION.

Consequence

IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THIS CONDITION COULDRESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANK.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON JAN,9 2003 I BOUGHT A 1989 CHEVY BERETTA WITH 90000 MILES ON IT FOR THE SUM OF 2300.00 DOLLARS. ON MARCH 31 2003 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL TOLD ME THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT IN THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 31, 2003 · fire

“CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SLID BACKWARDS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON A BIG BOULDER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK WINDSHIELD AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP HER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 2, 2003 · crash

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 30, 1997 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A POP SOUND AND AFTER PULLING OVER, SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 12, 2001 · fire

“1987 BERETTA WAS GOING 90 MPH (A DRUNK DRIVER) WHO CRASHED INTO A LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 1989, IN WHICH THE 1987 BERETTA CRACKED IN HALF, EJECTING THE DRIVER WHO PASSED AWAY. WHILE THE FIRST PART OF THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF, THE SECOND PART OF THE BERETTA SLAMMED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF CONTINENTAL IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 30, 1995 · crash · fire

1989 Chevrolet Beretta — common questions

Is the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta reliable?

It is close to typical for the Beretta: 71 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 6 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1989 Beretta problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), seat belts (9 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Chevrolet Beretta under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Beretta years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Beretta years to avoid are 1994, 1995, 1996, 1988, 1991, 1992. The cleanest record among Beretta years belongs to 1999.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.