NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (16) and engine and engine cooling (16). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined.
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.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Beretta model year we’ve synced.
Only one model year synced so far.
“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 AND THIS DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I FOUND OUT BY SURFING AND INVESTIGATING ON THE WEB. *AK”
“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 IN THESE CARS THAT COSTS ABOUT $600-800 TO REPLACE, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. *AK”
“ELECTRICAL PROBLEM; ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY BATTERY DISCHARGES WHEN A/C OR AIR COMPRESSOR IS RUN AT FULL POWER. HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED (AC DELCO, NEW) TWICE IN PAST WEEK. ENTIRE SYSTEM HAS BEEN SCANNED AND NO CODES ARE PRESENT. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STILL EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE. ABLE TO RUN HEATER CONTROL ON FULL POWER, BUT UNABLE TO RUN A/C OR DEFROSTER ON FULL POWER (FAN/BLOWER CONTROL). *NLM”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beretta Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Beretta Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Beretta Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (16), engine and engine cooling (16), electrical system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).