Ferrari 458 speciale problems

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The Ferrari 458 Italia (Type F142) is an Italian mid-engine sports car produced by Ferrari. The 458 is the successor of the F430, and was first officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was succeeded by the 488 GTB (Gran Turismo Berlinetta) in 2015.

Specifications

In Ferrari's first official announcement of the car, the 458 was described as the successor to the F430 but arising from an entirely new design, incorporating technologies developed from the company's experience in Formula One.

The body computer system was developed by Magneti Marelli.

photo of Ferrari 458 speciale car production

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Ferrari 458 speciale model years

ferrari 458 speciale 2014 photo
458 speciale 2014
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Common Ferrari 458 speciale problems

The Ferrari 458 Speciale, a limited-edition, track-ready version of the 458 Italia, is known for its reliability compared to other supercars. However, like all cars, it can still have issues. Here are some common problems that Ferrari 458 Speciale owners have reported:

  • Transmission failure: Multiple accounts of transmission issues have emerged for the 2010-2011 Ferrari 458 Italia models. While Ferrari hasn't officially acknowledged or recalled these issues, the 2012 models were introduced with updated transmission software, suggesting that Ferrari might have been aware of the problem from the beginning.
  • Galvanic corrosion around wheel arches: Look for any bubbling around wheel arches, as galvanic corrosion can happen on some 458’s and it can be costly to refinish.
  • Dashboard leather can tear: It is a known issue that the leather on Ferrari dashboards may tear over time. The appearance of wrinkles can serve as an early indication of this potential problem.
  • Ring and pinion wear issues: The Getrag dual-clutch gearboxes found in very early 458's suffered from ring and pinion wear issues. Almost every car will have been fixed to address this issue, but it's still worth noting.
  • Faulty adhesive in the wheel arches: Some of the very earliest 458s made headlines when a faulty adhesive in the wheel arches overheated and caught fire. Although this issue should have been addressed under warranty, it's still worth checking for any potential signs of trouble.
  • Electrical issues: The 458 (and all other modern Ferraris) features dozens of computers talking to one another. Whenever those communications get interrupted or confused, warning codes arise, and tracking down these issues requires a dealer or shop with the latest $25,000 Leonardo computer.
  • Engine blows and electronics issues: Some owners have reported engine blows and electronics issues, particularly with heavy track use. It's essential to consider these potential issues when purchasing a 458 Speciale, especially if you plan to use it on the track.
  • Unreported problems during pre-purchase inspections (PPIs): While PPIs are meant to report the issues found in a car, they can sometimes overlook problems or provide a false sense of security. It's crucial to find a reputable mechanic or dealer for a PPI and to follow up with an independent mechanic if needed.

In summary, the Ferrari 458 Speciale is generally considered a reliable supercar, but it can still have issues. Common problems include transmission failure, galvanic corrosion around wheel arches, dashboard leather tearing, ring and pinion wear issues, faulty adhesive in the wheel arches, electrical issues, engine blows, and electronics issues. It's essential to perform a PPI from an authorized dealer or experienced mechanic and to be aware of potential issues when purchasing a 458 Speciale, especially if you plan to use it on the track.

Ferrari 458 speciale

Is the Ferrari 458 reliable?

For 2015, all 4 other 458 variants had no change and Ferrari was preparing for the launch of the 488 GTB. The Ferrari 458 is regarded as one of the most reliable Ferraris ever.

Is the 458 Speciale worth it?

The 458 Speciale is a really good investment, because it is the last naturally aspirated V8 engine Ferrari ever going to make. In the long term this is going to be a brilliant investment – definitely one for your collection if you're thinking long term. I do see these reaching over a million pounds in the long term.

Will the 458 Speciale go up in value?

One obvious answer is that the car will always continue to appreciate as it is becoming more and more desirable as a collectors car, hence it hasn't dropped in value after the pandemic hype, but surprised to see that there is now more than twice as many on the market.

How much does it cost to service a Ferrari 458?

Annual Service Costs

Ferrari ModelPrice
Ferrari 612£998.00
Ferrari California£845.00
Ferrari 458£860.00
Ferrari FF£875.00

Percentage distribution of complaints by Ferrari 458 speciale years

We have researched Ferrari problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ferrari 458 speciale cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Ferrari 458 speciale model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ferrari 458 speciale model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Ferrari 458 speciale years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Ferrari 458 speciale car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Ferrari 458 speciale , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Ferrari 458 speciale vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ferrari 458 speciale . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ferrari 458 speciale vehicles.

List of Ferrari 458 speciale complaints

Ferrari 458 speciale 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-15
  • Date Complaint: 2023-06-15
  • VIN: ZFF75VFA0E0
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: All the plastic in the dashboard, including all the buttons that are essential for operating the car, starts melting, the labels on these essential buttons become unidentifiable, and it coats the fingertips and hands with melted sticky plastic which renders the driving experience not safe as one is trying to clean his/her hands from essentially glue. A quick google search shows this is an extremely common problem in these cars. While there is an obvious cosmetic issue here, I believe this is also a safety issue when the button labels cannot be read, or when a glue-like chemical is all over the hands while driving.

Recalls Ferrari 458 speciale

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Ferrari 458 speciale.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Ferrari 458 speciale 2014
  • Report Received Date: 2021-10-23
  • Manufacturer: Ferrari North America, Inc.
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2010-2015 458 Italia, 2012-2015 458 Spider, 2014-2015 458 Speciale, 2015 458 Speciale Aperta, 2016-2019 488 GTB, and 488 Spider vehicles. The brake system may leak brake fluid, resulting in a loss of braking ability.
  • Consequence: Loss of braking ability increases the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap and update the software, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 78.
  • Model: Ferrari 458 speciale 2014
  • Report Received Date: 2019-01-09
  • Manufacturer: Ferrari North America, Inc.
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
  • Summary: Ferrari North America (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2014 Ferrari California, 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 2014-2016 Ferrari FF, 2014-2017 Ferrari F12, 2015-2018 Ferrari California T, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A, 2016 Ferrari F60 America, 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf, 2016-2018 Ferrari 488 GTB, 488 Spider, 2017-2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso and 2018 GTC4Lusso T vehicles nationwide. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
  • Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
  • Remedy: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is 65.

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