Model year guide

1988 Chevrolet Beretta

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Chevrolet Beretta is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta — representative photo
Representative photo

1988 Chevrolet Beretta at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints89
Combined20–25 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta recalls 5

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE C…

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Seat Belts NHTSA Campaign #91V206000 · 26/11/1991

THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS MAY HAVE REDUCED SENSITIVITY OF THE LOCK-UP FEATURE AND WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR CRASH.

Structure:body:hood NHTSA Campaign #91V135000 · 19/08/1991

SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND COULD BECOME BENT. THIS WILL LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE FULL PRIMARY LATCH ENGAGEMENT IS NOT ATTAINED.

Fix: REPLACE THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY, AND THE SUPPORT BRACKET.

Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments NHTSA Campaign #89V225000 · 18/12/1989

A DOOR HINGE (UPPER OR LOWER) MAY BREAK WHILE OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REPOSITION AND CLOSE PROPERLY.

Fix: REPLACE DOOR HINGES ON BOTH DOORS.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch NHTSA Campaign #88V039000 · 23/03/1988

SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ADJUSTED RESULTING IN LATCH BECOMING BENT.

Fix: INSPECT AND REPLACE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AS REQUIRED.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta MPG & running costs

Combined20–25 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,110
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,550 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Chevrolet Beretta costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,550
Fuel only$15,550
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
187.4 in
Width
68.1 in
Height
55.1 in
Wheelbase
103.5 in
Curb weight
2,613 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 12

FR.SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS Closed

NHTSA #EA92025 · Seat Belts · opened Jul 1992 · closed Jul 1993

STICKING THROTTLE Closed

NHTSA #EA92024 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jun 1992 · closed Jan 1994

SEAT BREAKS FROM TRACK Closed

NHTSA #PE92048 · Seats · opened May 1992 · closed Sep 1992

PARK BRAKE HANDLE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #PE92043 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Apr 1992 · closed Aug 1992

STICKING THROTTLE Closed

NHTSA #PE92021 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Feb 1992 · closed Jun 1992

HINGE PIN FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA92003 · Structure · opened Jan 1992 · closed Sep 1992

BRAKE PERFORMANCE Closed

===

NHTSA #EA90041 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Aug 1990 · closed Mar 1992

HOOD LATCH FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA90026 · Structure · opened May 1990 · closed Aug 1991

INADEQUATE BRAKES Closed

INADEQUATE BRAKES

NHTSA #DP90008 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Apr 1990 · closed Aug 1990

LOSS OF STEERING Closed

NHTSA #EA90007 · Suspension · opened Nov 1989 · closed Oct 1990

SAFETY BELTS Closed

SAFETY BELTS

NHTSA #DP89014 · Seat Belts · opened Sep 1989 · closed Feb 1990

STEERING BINDS Closed

NHTSA #PE89161 · Suspension · opened Sep 1989 · closed Nov 1989

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the BERETTA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 4

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Seats And Restraints

ON VEHICLES WITH A PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY NOT LOCK-UP DURING A VEHICLE CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN, THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS MAY BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE LAP BELT THEREBY INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY. CORRECTION: FRONT SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS AND BELT ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1991172 · Dec 1991

Structure

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH BECOMING BENT. A BENT SECONDARY HOOD LATCH CAN LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE FULL PRIMARY LATCH ENGAGEMENT IS NOT ATTAINED RESULTING IN THE POSSIBILITY OF HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH, THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH A…

Transport Canada #1991129 · Sep 1991

Structure

DOOR HINGE PINS MAY BREAK ON THESE VEHICLES THEREBY REDUCING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. HINGE FAILURE COULD ALSO RESULT IN A DOOR OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. CORRECTION: HINGE PINS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1989170 · Dec 1989

Structure

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE SECONDARY LATCH BECOMING BENT. A BENT SECONDARY LATCH COULD CONTACT THE PRIMARY LATCH RETURN SPRING PREDISPOSING IT TO DISENGAGE. IF THE SECONDARY LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED AND THE PRIMARY LATCH WERE TO DISENGAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD UNEXPECTEDLY FLY OPEN AND OBSTRUCT…

Transport Canada #1988040 · Mar 1988

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Chevrolet Beretta

The Chevrolet Beretta is a coupé that was produced by Chevrolet from 1987 until 1996. Alongside the four-door Chevrolet Corsica, the Beretta served as the successor to the Chevrolet Citation. Slotted between the Cavalier and Lumina/Monte Carlo coupes, the Beretta was distinguished by its vertical door handles mounted on the B-pillar, a design feature later used by the Chevrolet Lumina coupe and its GM W-body counterparts.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 Chevrolet Beretta vehicles on record

1988 Chevrolet Beretta 1988 Chevrolet Beretta1G1LV11W8JE533251

Other Chevrolet Beretta model years

1992

1988 Chevrolet Beretta — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta?

Across all 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, steering, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta get?

The 1988 Chevrolet Beretta has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (5 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.