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Ferrari 488 GTB / Spider F142M recalls: manufacturer campaigns

3 documented manufacturer recalls: a defect acknowledged by the brand, fixed free of charge at a dealer, even on a used car.

manufacturer campaigns: 3
of 2 versions affected: 2

Is your version affected?

Find your engine (fuel type and power on the registration document): each row lists the campaigns that concern it. A recall often covers only a production period: only the vehicle identification number (VIN) settles it.

Version	Recalls
488 GTB 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCTPetrol · 670 hp 488 Spider 3.9 V8 670 F1 DCTPetrol · 670 hp	Recall: brake fluid leak (reservoir cap) Recall: cracked fuel vapour separator Recall: faulty airbag control unit

Each campaign in detail

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
Sources
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-833 (Ferrari 488, fuite de liquide de frein) — NHTSA (new tab)
- Ferrari Brake Fluid Reservoir Cap Recall Expanded — CarComplaints (new tab)
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
Sources
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 19V-090 (Ferrari, séparateur de vapeurs de carburant) — NHTSA (new tab)
- Ferrari Recalls 2,150 Vehicles For Fuel Vapor Leak — MotorSafety (new tab)
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
Sources
- Courrier NHTSA 19V-411 (Ferrari, calculateur d'airbag) — NHTSA (new tab)
- Ferrari 488 GTB 2018 Air Bags Recall 19V411000 — Justia (new tab)

Checking that a recall was done

Note the vehicle identification number (VIN): box E of the French registration certificate.
Ask a dealer of the brand whether each campaign was carried out on this VIN: the check and the repair are free.
Ask the seller for the invoice or dealer certificate for each recall.

Where to check online

Check vehicle recalls (DVSA) (new tab) : for a car registered in the UK, by make, model and VIN.
RappelConso (new tab) : the official French recall website (DGCCRF): search for the make and model.
Safety Gate (new tab) : European alerts on dangerous products, vehicles included.

Recalls of rival models

The same data for the alternatives suggested in the guide.

Model	Recalls	Known faults	Reliability
Chevrolet Corvette C8	0	3	3.0/5
Jaguar F-Type I	1	3	4.5/5
Chevrolet Corvette C7	1	4	3.5/5

Recall FAQ

How many recalls has the Ferrari 488 GTB / Spider F142M had?

We have documented 3 manufacturer recalls for the Ferrari 488 GTB / Spider F142M: Recall: brake fluid leak (reservoir cap) ; Recall: cracked fuel vapour separator ; Recall: faulty airbag control unit.

Which versions of the Ferrari 488 GTB / Spider F142M are affected?

Every version in our guides is affected by at least one campaign.

How do I know whether the recalls were done on a used Ferrari 488 GTB / Spider F142M?

Note the vehicle identification number (VIN): box E of the French registration certificate. Ask a dealer of the brand whether each campaign was carried out on this VIN: the check and the repair are free. Ask the seller for the invoice or dealer certificate for each recall.

Do I have to pay for a recall?

No: a manufacturer recall is fixed free of charge by the brand's dealer network, even on a used car bought privately, as long as the campaign is open.

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