The most-reported Beretta run is 1G1LV15M9TY (1996 builds) with 6 complaints, 4.3× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 23% of reports; 1994 is the worst model year at 1.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for Beretta model years 1987–1996.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Beretta has 273 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Beretta complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G1LV15M9TY•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G1LV15M4RY•••••• | 1994 | 1 | — | |
| 1G1LV15M2SY•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G1LV13T7NY•••••• | 1992 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G1LV15M7RY•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1G1LV13T3NY•••••• | 1992 | — | 1 | |
| 1G1LV15M1RY•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1G1LV1118JY•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| 1G1LV11W2JE•••••• | 1988 | — | 1 | |
| 1G1LV15M3RY•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1G1LW14WXKE•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| 1G1LV13T2NY•••••• | 1992 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 261 Beretta runs has 3 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Beretta the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 1994 car draws 1.8 complaints per run, a 1990 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 57 | 37 | 7 | |
| 1995 | 61 | 43 | 6 | |
| 1994 | 57 | 32 | 5 | |
| 1993 | 23 | 18 | 6 | |
| 1992 | 39 | 28 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 41 | 32 | 5 | |
| 1990 | 31 | 26 | 4 | |
| 1989 | 35 | 26 | 4 | |
| 1988 | 41 | 31 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1994 at 1.8 complaints per run; lightest is 1990 at 1.2.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Chevrolet Beretta owners report: Service Brakes, 92 of 386 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 15 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 15 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 9 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 2 | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | 2 | |
| Steering | 1 | 2 | |
| Seat Belts | 4 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 17 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Beretta; the 6 below cover build years 1987 to 1995. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 91V206000 | Seat Belts | 1988–1990 |
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1987–1989 |
| 94V176000 | Structure:body:door | 1994–1995 |
| 88V039000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch | 1987–1988 |
| 91V135000 | Structure:body:hood | 1987–1988 |
| 89V225000 | Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments | 1987–1988 |
91V206000 was opened in 1991 on cars built from 1988: 3 years on the road before the recall.
The Beretta against its rivals
The Beretta draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the Acura Legend 1.5 and the Ford Probe 2.7. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Beretta | 386 | 273 | 10.4% | |
| Acura Legend | 288 | 197 | 15.6% | |
| Ford Probe | 922 | 337 | 6.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 386 reports on the Chevrolet Beretta, 10.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Beretta | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 386 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 40 (10.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 19 (4.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 38 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 5 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 79% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Beretta share of that is 386 complaints over 273 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Beretta VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 386 NHTSA complaints from 273 Beretta runs and 17 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Beretta production run has the most complaints?
1G1LV15M9TY, a 1996 build, with 6 complaints. The typical Beretta run has 1.4.
Which Beretta years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1994 is heaviest at 1.8 complaints per run and 1990 lightest at 1.2.
Does the Beretta get more complaints than the Acura Legend?
No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the Beretta against 1.5 for the Acura Legend.
How many Beretta complaints involve a crash?
10.4% of 386 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 19 involved a fire.
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