Ferrari 360 problems
The Ferrari 360 (Type F131) is a two-seater, mid-engine, rear wheel drive sports car manufactured by Italian automotive manufacturer Ferrari from 1999 until 2005. It succeeded the Ferrari F355 and was replaced by the Ferrari F430 in 2004.
Development history
Ferrari partnered with Alcoa to produce an entirely new all-aluminium space-frame chassis that was 40% stiffer than its predecessor's which had utilized steel. The design was 28% lighter despite a 10% increase in overall dimensions. Along with a lightweight frame the new Pininfarina body styling deviated from traditions of the previous decade's sharp angles and flip-up headlights. The new V8 engine utilises a 3.6-litre capacity, a flat-plane crankshaft, and titanium connecting rods. The engine generates a power output of 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp). According to Ferrari, weight was reduced by 60 kg (130 lb) and the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time improved from 4.7 to 4.5 seconds.
The first model to be produced was the 360 Modena, followed later by the 360 Spider and a special edition, the Challenge Stradale. The Challenge Stradale was the high-performance road-legal version of the 360 produced by the factory, featuring carbon ceramic brakes (from the Enzo), track-tuned suspension, aerodynamic gains, weight reduction, power improvements and revised gearbox software among its track-focused brief. There were 8,800 Modenas and 7,565 Spiders produced worldwide. There were 4,199 built for the US market—1,810 Modenas (coupes) and 2,389 Spiders (convertibles). Of those numbers, there were only 469 Modenas and 670 Spiders that were produced with a gated 6-speed manual transmission as opposed to the "F1" single-clutch automated manual transmission.
In addition to this were the low-volume factory race cars and a one-off Barchetta variant. The race cars were all derived from the 360 Modena and for the first time produced as a separate model in their own right (compared to being a retrofit kit in previous years). While the Barchetta was based on the Spider variant. The first race car was the 360 Modena Challenge, used in a one-make series; the factory-built racing cars were prepared by the official tuner, Michelotto , who also developed the 360 N-GT. The N-GT was a 360 Challenge car evolved even further to compete in the FIA N-GT racing class alongside other marques such as Porsche.
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Common Ferrari 360 problems
The Ferrari 360 is a high-performance sports car that is known for its impressive handling and braking capabilities. However, like any vehicle, it can experience a range of issues that can affect its performance and safety on the road. Here are some common problems with the Ferrari 360, based on complaints from owners of this car:
- Suspension bushing failure: The suspension bushing in mid-model years (2002-2003) of the Ferrari 360 can fail, leading to a rough ride and uneven tire wear.
- Exhaust manifold cracking: The exhaust manifold in mid-model years (2002-2003) of the Ferrari 360 can crack, causing a loss of power and decreased fuel efficiency.
- Engine timing belt tensioner failure: The engine timing belt tensioner in late-model years (2004-2005) of the Ferrari 360 can fail, leading to engine damage and costly repairs.
- Fuel pump failure: The fuel pump in late-model years (2004-2005) of the Ferrari 360 can fail, causing the car to stall or fail to start.
- Air conditioning problems: The air conditioning in late-model years (2004-2005) of the Ferrari 360 can fail, causing the car to be uncomfortable in hot weather.
- Soft top mechanism failure: The soft top mechanism in the Ferrari 360 Spider can fail, causing the top to be difficult to open or close.
- Windshield wiper failure: The windshield wipers in the Ferrari 360 Spider can fail, causing decreased visibility in rainy or snowy conditions.
- Water leaks: The Ferrari 360 Spider can experience water leaks, causing the interior to be damp or moldy.
- Carbon ceramic brake failure: The carbon ceramic brakes in the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale can fail, causing decreased braking power and increased stopping distances.
It is important for owners of the Ferrari 360 to stay vigilant and perform regular maintenance to prevent these issues from occurring or catch them early on to prevent further damage. Despite these issues, the Ferrari 360 remains a highly desirable sports car among enthusiasts and collectors.
What is the best year for a Ferrari 360?
Best Ferrari 360 For The Money
Some enthusiasts will argue that one year is better than the other, but two years specifically stand out for us: 1999 and 2002 model years. While no two Ferrari 360 Modenas are alike, all cars from 99 to 05 have essentially the same engine and drivetrain.
Are Ferrari 360 Modena reliable?
Admittedly, this Ferrari model enjoys a reputation for reliability, but if you are a purist in its condition and/or in its operation (in the performance sense) then it is a car that requires a lot of attention.
Does the Ferrari 360 require engine out service?
Major Service History
While older Ferrari models required the engine to be taken out for this service, a skilled technician should have no problem performing a major service on the 360 with the engine in place.
How long does a Ferrari 360 clutch last?
Reportedly, the clutch in the Ferrari 360 will typically only last 20k miles if you are reasonably gentle with the car. So, don't worry - you will likely get to buy a new one if you keep the car and drive it much.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Ferrari 360 years
We have researched Ferrari problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ferrari 360 cars and compiled the top 3 most problematic Ferrari 360 model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ferrari 360 model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Ferrari 360 years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Ferrari 360 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Ferrari 360 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine problems
- Structure problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Ferrari 360 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by 360 model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ferrari 360 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ferrari 360 vehicles.
List of Ferrari 360 complaints
Ferrari 360 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-12
- Date Complaint: 2017-10-17
- Fire: 1
- VIN: ZFFYU51AXY0
- Components: STRUCTURE,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY FLAMES WERE NOTED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. FIRE STARTED BEHIND DRIVER SIDE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 14 MILES AND HAD NO SIGNS OF IMPENDING FIRE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. CAR HAD JUST OVER 15000 MILES WITH A 30000 MILE MAJOR SERVICE PERFORMED AT 14,094 MILES ON 6/1/2016.
Ferrari 360 2004
- Date Of Incident: 2013-11-20
- Date Complaint: 2015-06-26
- VIN: ZFFYT53A040
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: WHILE PASSING A TRUCK ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY APPARENTLY THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR FALSELY EXECUTED A "SLOW DOWN" MODE THAT REDUCED 8 CYLINDERS TO 4 DEPOWERING THE CAR AND NEARLY GETTING ME KILLED AS I COULD NOT COMPLETE THE PASS. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND DEALERS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND WASHINGTON STATE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE. UPON SEARCHING THE WEB THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL LATE MODEL FERRARI V8 MODELS INCLUDING OUR 360 AND THE 430. HTTP://ALDOUSVOICE.COM/2012/12/27/FERRARI-360-SLOW-DOWN/ IF YOU GOOGLE "FERRARI SLOW DOWN WARNING" YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL THE AUTOMOBILES. THESE CARS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THERE ARE MANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. UPDATED 10/07/15*LJ UPDATED 11/01/2017*CN
Ferrari 360 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2012-10-28
- Date Complaint: 2012-10-30
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON, I WAS GOING FOR A DRIVE ON THE 605 FREEWAY. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER ON THE FREEWAY, I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY TO HEAD TOWARDS THE BEACH. WHILE I WAS STUCK ON A RED LIGHT I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE REAR OF MY FERRARI. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR. I THOUGHT I BLEW A RADIATOR BUT THAT WASN'T IT EITHER. SO I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME SLOWLY THROUGH THE STREETS. NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON BEFORE I CALLED THE FERRARI DEALER TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN WE CHECKED THE CAR, WE FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE OR THE F1 TRANSMISSION HOSE WAS LEAKING AROUND THE ENGINE AND THE FLUIDS WERE GETTING IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. IF ENOUGH OIL GETS ON THE EXHAUST, THERE'S SMOKE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE BECAUSE FERRARI ENGINES CAN GET EXTREMELY HOT. *TR
Latest negative Ferrari 360 car reviews
Latest positive Ferrari 360 car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2004
So glad to hear that your new 355 F1 spider is quicker and has a sexier exterior! It's also great to know that the interior is more spacious and the F1 gearbox is smoother. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Vehicle year: 2004
This is definitely the best car I've ever driven. If you're considering buying one, I highly recommend it. Trust me, it's the best value for your money.
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Vehicle year: 2004
I have a BMW Z8, a Maserati Cambiocorsca, Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, and a Porsche GT2, and this by far exceeds them all. Every morning I enjoy driving my Spyder to the office. People always stare, and I rev the engine up at red lights, but no one has ever challenged me. It's fast, powerful, and agile. I love every detail about this car, from the smooth lines to the silky interior!
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Vehicle year: 2004
Love the car! The only one I own that's better is the F50. The power is amazing and it's so much fun to actually put it down on the road. Shifting can be a bit notchy at anything under 8/10ths pace, but my only complaint is the lack of a quality stereo to compliment the song of the V8. Forget everything else, there's no substitute. Just wait until it gets improved with a little tweaking!
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Vehicle year: 2002
I also have a 2003 Porsche C4 Cab, but I must say that this car is four times better than mine, and it comes at twice the price! The fuel mileage is a solid 18mpg even at triple digit speeds, which is quite impressive. (unlike Ferraris, which don't have good mileage around town) I even drove it all around Europe, and the only car that beats it is the 550 Maranello! I can get 370 miles per tank of gas, so it's definitely a keeper!
Are you having problems with your Ferrari 360?
Stanley Goyette 2025-09-14
Vehicle year: 2002
Unfortunately, it seems that my experience with the car has not been the best. On the first day, it stalled and on the second day, the engine warning light came on. After a week, the 'Slow Down' warning light came on and sometimes it wouldn't start unless someone rocked the car back and forth while trying to get the transmission into neutral using the paddles. However, I must say that it is an absolutely gorgeous piece of art and it even converted me, a Lamborghini enthusiast, to Ferrari when I saw it at the dealership. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful looking Ferrari, even better looking than the newer F430. The sound is great and the glass hood over the engine is a nice touch.
Clifford Rowe 2025-06-25
Vehicle year: 2002
Ah, Ferraris... Nothing quite like them in the world! The 360 Modena is a great example of beauty and performance. While it may require some maintenance, it's definitely worth it for the driving experience. If you're looking for a reliable daily driver, you may want to consider other options like the NSX or 911. But for weekend drives, the 360 Modena is hard to beat!
Russ O'Kon 2025-02-23
Vehicle year: 2002
Although I had always dreamed of owning a Ferrari, unfortunately, my experience with this particular car was not a positive one. Despite getting it serviced, it broke down twice in a short period of time. After doing some research on Ferrari forums, I discovered that reliability can be an issue with these cars. While it is surprising to encounter such problems with a car brand as respected as Ferrari, I have decided to move on from this experience and explore other options. I have no plans to purchase another Ferrari or any Italian car in the future.
Tremaine Satterfield 2024-02-25
Vehicle year: 2002
Outside of my McLaren and Lamborghini Diablo (both are silver), this is my favorite weekend car. My 360 Spyder is red. My ex-girlfriend liked the styling of this one best. For comfort, I go with my Arnage R Turbo or Phantom though - but I'll leave that review for those pages :)