This factory service and repair manual for the 1988 Chevrolet Beretta is written for one shape, the two-door coupe, sold in a single Base trim, with the real decision made under the hood: a 173-cubic-inch 2.8-liter V6 or a 122-cubic-inch 2.0-liter inline-four, both overhead-valve, both naturally aspirated, both gasoline. Engine mechanical, fuel, ignition and cooling material splits along that line; steering, braking, suspension, body and wiring work does not, and applies to every car built that year.
Engines covered
- 2.8L V6 (173 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 2-door coupe
Trims covered
- Base
Known issues on the 1988 Beretta. Five recalls sit on the federal record. One is a restraint problem: the front shoulder belt retractors can lose lock-up sensitivity and fail to catch in a hard stop, leaving the occupant held by the lap belt alone. Two more repeat the hood story, a bent secondary latch that stops the primary from engaging fully so the hood can rise into the windshield. Another covers a door hinge that can fracture and weaken the side structure. Owners logged 89 complaints, led by structure at 15 with electrical and steering at 10 each.
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ADJUSTED RESULTING IN LATCH BECOMING BENT.
A BENT SECONDARY HOOD LATCH COULD CAUSE THE PRIMARYLATCH TO MALFUNCTION. IF THIS OCCURED
INSPECT AND REPLACE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES AS REQUIRED.
A DOOR HINGE (UPPER OR LOWER) MAY BREAK WHILE OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REPOSITION AND CLOSE PROPERLY.
HINGE SEPARATION MAY REDUCE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OFTHE SIDE OF THE CAR AND INCREASE RI
REPLACE DOOR HINGES ON BOTH DOORS.
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
HAD AN ACCIDENT, PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME APART AND STRUCK CHEST. TT
DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANT UPON HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE STATIONARY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
Showing the 4 most serious of 90 complaints filed with NHTSA.
