Ferrari 348 tb problems
The Ferrari 348 (Type F119) is a mid-engine V8-powered 2-seat sports car produced by Italian automaker Ferrari, replacing the 328 in 1989 and remaining in production until 1995. It was the final V8 model developed under the direction of Enzo Ferrari before his death, commissioned to production posthumously.
Variants
348 TB, TS
The 348, badged 348 TB for the coupé (Trasversale Berlinetta) and 348 TS for the targa (Trasversale Spider), featured a naturally aspirated 3.4-litre version of the quad-cam, four-valve-per-cylinder V8 engine. As with its predecessors, the model number was derived from this configuration, with the first two digits being the displacement of the engine and the third being the number of cylinders. The engine, which had a power output of 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp), was mounted longitudinally and coupled to a transverse manual gearbox. This marked the first street Ferrari application of the transverse gearbox design, originally developed for the Ferrari 312T F1 car. The "t" in the model tb and ts designations refers to the transverse position of the gearbox, which Ferrari sought to highlight for the model range, celebrating this technical lineage. This was the also the first time Ferrari featured a mid engine longitudinal V8 in one of its standard road cars, after the 288 GTO. Overall, 2,894 examples of the 348 TB and 4,228 of the 348 TS were produced.
The 348's styling differed from previous models with straked side air intakes and rectangular taillights resembling the Testarossa, stylistic themes reminiscent of the F40, the world's fastest production car at the time, and other prestigious Ferrari models of the past. The model was also the final design overseen by chief stylist Leonardo Fioravanti, known for such designs as the F40, Daytona, 512 Berlinetta Boxer, 288 GTO P5, P6 and others. The F355 that succeeded the 348 returned to the styling cues of the 328 with round tail lights and rounded side air scoops.
The 348 was fitted with dual-computer engine management using twin Bosch Motronic ECUs, double-redundant anti-lock brakes, and self-diagnosing air conditioning and heating systems. In 1990, the Bosch Motronic engine management system was updated from the 2.5 to the 2.7 version. Later versions of the 348 (1993 and beyond) have Japanese starter motors and Nippondenso power generators to improve reliability, as well as the battery located within the front left fender for better weight distribution.
All 348s have OBD-I engine management systems, though European and general market variants do not come with the self-test push button installed, which is needed to activate this troubleshooting feature.
Similar to the Testarossa but departing from the 512 BB and 308/328, the oil and coolant radiators were relocated from the nose to the sides, widening the side of the car substantially, but making the cabin much easier to cool since hoses routing warm water no longer ran underneath the cabin as in the older front-radiator cars. This also had the side effect of making the doors very wide.
The 348 was equipped with a dry sump oil system to prevent oil starvation at high speeds and during hard cornering. The oil level could only be accurately checked on the dipstick when the engine was running due to this setup. The 348 was fitted with adjustable ride-height suspension and a removable rear sub-frame to speed up the removal of the engine for maintenance.
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Ferrari 348 tb model years
Common Ferrari 348 tb problems
The Ferrari 348 TB, introduced in 1989, is a car that has had its fair share of issues and complaints from owners. While the car has its strengths, such as a powerful 3.4-liter V8 engine and a sleek design, it has also been criticized for various problems that have affected its performance and reliability.
One of the most common issues with the Ferrari 348 TB is corrosion. The car has an all-steel bodyshell, which can be prone to rust, especially in the wheelarches and door bottoms. This can lead to significant bodywork issues if the car has been involved in an accident or if it has not been properly maintained.
Another problem area is the undertrays, which smooth airflow underneath the car. These undertrays should be present and undamaged, but they can become worn or damaged over time, affecting the car's aerodynamics and performance.
The engines in early 348 TB models have also been known to suffer from extensive chain tensioner wear in the lower drive system, as well as failure of the inner support bearing for the cam-drive jack shaft. Both of these issues have been addressed with design updates, but they can still be a concern for owners of early cars.
The transmission is another area where the Ferrari 348 TB has had issues. All models of the 348 TB have a manual gearbox, and the clutches are known to be weak. This can lead to slipping or gear selection issues, and repairs can be very expensive. Additionally, the gearbox can become noisy if the transfer gears have worn out, indicating a need for costly repairs.
The suspension platform that holds the suspension springs in place can also crack, allowing the springs to slide down the dampers. This can affect the car's handling and ride quality, and it is an issue that can be difficult and expensive to repair.
The electronic climate control system in the 348 TB has also been known to cause problems. The ECU at the heart of the system can play up, and replacements are not readily available. However, repairs are possible by replacing faulty soldered joints.
When buying a Ferrari 348 TB, it is essential to look for a car that has had all of the factory-issued updates and upgrades. Later cars are significantly better and better-built than earlier models, and they are less likely to have the issues that plagued the early cars.
In summary, the Ferrari 348 TB is a car with many strengths, but it has also had its share of issues and problems. Corrosion, undertray damage, engine wear, transmission problems, suspension issues, and climate control faults are all areas where the 348 TB has been known to have problems. However, with proper maintenance and careful selection, it is possible to find a 348 TB that is a reliable and enjoyable car to own and drive.
How many Ferrari 348 TB were made?
The 348 tb model ceased production in 1993 with the announcement of the updated 348 GTB, during the production period 2894 examples were produced in the chassis number range 81617 to 96679.
What is the difference between Ferrari 348 TS and TB?
Let's start with 348 TS; here, 't' means trasversale, referencing to the transverse gearbox mounted at the rear of the engine. 's' is for spider – this was the open-top 348, with a targa top. The 348 TB used the same engine, but was a closed hard-top coupé, rather than an open spider.
What does TB mean Ferrari?
The suffix 'TB' was derived from the transverse gearbox and closed 'Berlinetta' body style. A higher compression ratio and updated fuel injection helped generate 300 horsepower, 30-40 more than the Ferrari 328, whilst a dry-sump oiling system gave the new Ferrari a lower centre of gravity.
What is the top speed of the Ferrari 348 TB?
The Ferrari 348 TB 300 PS claimed top speed is 275 km/h / 171 mph.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Ferrari 348 tb years
We have researched Ferrari problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ferrari 348 tb cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Ferrari 348 tb model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ferrari 348 tb model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Ferrari 348 tb years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Ferrari 348 tb car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Ferrari 348 tb , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Ferrari 348 tb vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ferrari 348 tb . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ferrari 348 tb vehicles.
List of Ferrari 348 tb complaints
Ferrari 348 tb 1992
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-08
- Date Complaint: 2015-10-08
- VIN: ZFFRG35AXN0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FERRARI 348 TB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V142000 (SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500.
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