Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
The 1991 Chevrolet Beretta carries two red flags at once: 72 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR). It is one of the Beretta years to avoid.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (32% of the total).
72
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
6
Investigations · 1 open
9
Crash-involved
4
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 | 32% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 14 | 19% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 6 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 6 | 8% | — flat |
| Engine | 4 | 6% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 3 | 4% | — flat |
| Transmission | 3 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 2 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
NUT ATTACHING STEERING WHEEL MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING INSTALLATION.
Consequence
THIS COULD ALLOW STEERING WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM STEERINGCOLUMN; LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
TIGHTEN THE NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE AS NECESSARY.
DP96014
DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE STARTING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD DUE TO TWO POSITIVE WIRES CONNECTING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”
“THE TURN SIGNAL/BLINKER OFTEN GOT STUCK BETWEEN BRIGHT AND DIM. WHEN THAT HAPPENED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE OFF. WHEN THE SWITCH GOT STUCK THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON WOULD BE TO PULL THE BRIGHT SWITCH AGAIN. TWICE WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE SIGNAL SWITCH BROKE (I HAD IT REPLACED ONCE),…”
“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.”
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOWDOWN. BRAKES FAILED, AND VEHICLE HIT CAR IN FRONT. THIS LED TO A CHAIN REACTION, THREE OTHER CARS WERE HIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK”
“HAD CAR FIXED AT NON DEALER GARAGE. CALLED DEALER THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT SHOW UP IF FIXED AND TURNED IN TO GENERAL MOTORS. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE GARAGE MAY HAVE CHARGED ME ,THEN TURNED IT IN TO GMC.ITS THE SAME QUAD 4 MOTOR THAT WAS RECALLED IN THE OLDSMOBILE. *AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 72 complaints put the 1991 model at #5 of 15 Beretta years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Beretta years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (23 complaints), lighting (14 complaints), brakes (6 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1991 Chevrolet Beretta. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Yes — an investigation remains open (DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.