1996 Chevrolet Beretta recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
What could happen: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 BERETTA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E021000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
Summary: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
What could happen: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 BERETTA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V027000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: INTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1996 Chevrolet Beretta owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (20), Brakes (19), Hydraulic (17), Electrical system (9), Transmission / drivetrain (9).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/22/2018 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BERETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…
06/05/2006 · Wheels / tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK IT WAS DISCOVERED ALL 4 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE DRY ROTTING. THE INNER SIDEWALLS WERE CRACKED AND DRIED. THE DRY ROT WAS MORE SEVERE ON THE 2 FRONT TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. THE TIRE BRAND IS KELLY NAVIGATOR GOLD, THREE OF THE TIRES HAD THE SAME T…
08/04/2005 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
ACCELERATOR STUCK, THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES PREVIOUSLY. BUT THIS TIME, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RUN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BUCKNUM, DAMAGE DONE TO ENTIRE CAR. *NM
09/02/2004 · Brakes
I HAVE A 1996 BERETTA Z26 3.1L V6 AND EVERY MORNING WHEN I GET UP AND GO TO WORK MY BACK BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME UNTILL I GET THEM WARMED UP. AND MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON IN THIS CAR ALL THE TIMES.ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES I DONT HAVE ANY BRAKES THE FIRST TIME THEN I HIT THEM AGAIN AND THEY WORK I HAVE RECENTLY HAD BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES REPLACED…
01/23/2004 · Airbags · crash
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *SC *JB
12/22/2003 · Engine
MY 1996 CHEVROLET BERETTA HAS HAD CHRONIC LEAKING PROBLEMS AROUND THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. FIRST IT WAS FROM VARIOUS BOLTS, THEN FROM THE MAIN GASKET EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I CALLED CAR SHOPS IN THE AREA AND EVERYONE I SPOKE TO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GM 3.1L ENGINES. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THERE IS A FAULTY GASKET…
08/08/2003 · Brakes
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB
08/08/2003 · Engine
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB