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Ferrari 488 GTB / Spider F142M faults

4 faults documented by at least two sources, listed by version then by mileage at onset when known.

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.5/5

4 known faults

488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT

  1. Recall: brake fluid leak (reservoir cap)

    Manufacturer recall

    Ferrari determined that some 2016-2019 488 GTB and Spider cars have a brake circuit that can leak fluid, which may cause partial or total loss of braking (NHTSA, recall 21V-833). CarComplaints notes that the reservoir cap does not vent properly and that the recall was extended in 2022 (including the 2019-2020 488 Pista); dealers replace the cap and update the warning software, free of charge.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Recall: cracked fuel vapour separator

    Manufacturer recall

    The fuel vapour separator can crack and leak fuel, increasing the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source (NHTSA, recall 19V-090, 2018-2019 488 GTB and Spider, 2019 488 Pista). MotorSafety attributes the defect to a faulty plastic weld at the supplier; the engine warning light comes on if there is a leak. Dealers replace the separator free of charge.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Recall: faulty airbag control unit

    Manufacturer recall

    The airbag control unit (ECU) may malfunction and prevent the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from deploying correctly (NHTSA, recall 19V-411, 2016-2018 488 GTB and 2018 488 Spider, 893 units concerned across all part numbers). The control unit is replaced free of charge (Justia, citing the NHTSA entry).

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  4. Turbocharger failures

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    Exotic Car Hacks reports turbo failures, particularly after impacts such as potholes, with a limited-performance message and costly repairs, and difficulty getting them covered under warranty. The tuner The Boost Lab describes the turbine shaft (play, fatigue, breakage) as the most common failure point of VU21/VU22 turbos, along with wear of the bearings and sealing plates (blue smoke, burnt oil).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT

  1. Recall: brake fluid leak (reservoir cap)

    Manufacturer recall

    Ferrari determined that some 2016-2019 488 GTB and Spider cars have a brake circuit that can leak fluid, which may cause partial or total loss of braking (NHTSA, recall 21V-833). CarComplaints notes that the reservoir cap does not vent properly and that the recall was extended in 2022 (including the 2019-2020 488 Pista); dealers replace the cap and update the warning software, free of charge.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Recall: cracked fuel vapour separator

    Manufacturer recall

    The fuel vapour separator can crack and leak fuel, increasing the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source (NHTSA, recall 19V-090, 2018-2019 488 GTB and Spider, 2019 488 Pista). MotorSafety attributes the defect to a faulty plastic weld at the supplier; the engine warning light comes on if there is a leak. Dealers replace the separator free of charge.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Recall: faulty airbag control unit

    Manufacturer recall

    The airbag control unit (ECU) may malfunction and prevent the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from deploying correctly (NHTSA, recall 19V-411, 2016-2018 488 GTB and 2018 488 Spider, 893 units concerned across all part numbers). The control unit is replaced free of charge (Justia, citing the NHTSA entry).

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  4. Turbocharger failures

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    Exotic Car Hacks reports turbo failures, particularly after impacts such as potholes, with a limited-performance message and costly repairs, and difficulty getting them covered under warranty. The tuner The Boost Lab describes the turbine shaft (play, fatigue, breakage) as the most common failure point of VU21/VU22 turbos, along with wear of the bearings and sealing plates (blue smoke, burnt oil).

    Versions
    488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT, 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCT
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

Price and diagnose repairs

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Ferrari 488 GTB / Spider F142M (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

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