1996 Chevrolet Beretta

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 19 of 72 complaints (26%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 93 in 1995 to 72 in 1996.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 2 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category19951996vs. 1996 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,500–2,9502,400–2,950
Combined MPG21–2521–26
City / Highway MPG18–21 / 27–3318–22 / 27–33
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)355–423342–423
Complaints filed9372Not compared
Recalls issued12Not compared
Crash-involved complaints109Not compared
Fire-involved complaints20Not compared
Injuries reported610Not compared
Deaths reported00Not compared
Configurations compared33

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta?

Engine: 19 of 72 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Chevrolet Beretta get?

EPA rates it 21–26 MPG combined across 3 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Chevrolet Beretta?

EPA estimates $2,400–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 3-spd42.2LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg$2,600370 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd42.2LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars22 mpg (high)33 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)$2,400 (low)342 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd63.1LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars18 mpg (low)27 mpg (low)21 mpg (low)$2,950 (high)423 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine190000
Transmission & Drivetrain90000
Fuel System40000
Electrical90000
Brakes174040
Steering30000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires71000
Airbags & Restraints64050
Driver Assistance & Speed Control42020
Body, Seats & Latches60010
Visibility & Lighting60000
Other10000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES · Campaign 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007

    Defect: 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.

  • INTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 98V027000 · Feb 25, 1998

    Defect: 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.