Ferrari Testarossa 1988 problems
The Ferrari Testarossa (Type F110) is a 12-cylinder mid-engine sports car manufactured by Ferrari, which went into production in 1984 as the successor to the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer. The Pininfarina-designed car was originally produced from 1984 until 1991, with two model revisions following the end of Testarossa production called the 512 TR and F512 M, which were produced from 1992 until 1996. Including revised variations, almost 10,000 cars in total were produced, making it at the time one of the most mass-produced Ferrari models.
The Testarossa is a two-door coupé that premiered at the 1984 Paris Auto Show. All versions of the Testarossa were available with a rear-mounted, five-speed manual transmission. The rear mid-engine design (engine between the axles but behind the cabin) keeps the centre of gravity in the middle of the car, which increases stability and improves the car's cornering ability, and thus results in a standing weight distribution of 40% front: 60% rear.
The original Testarossa was re-engineered for the 1992 model year and was introduced as the 512 TR (TR meaning TestaRossa), at the Los Angeles Auto Show, effectively as a completely new car, and an improved weight distribution of 41% front, 59% rear. Another new variant called the F512 M was introduced at the 1994 Paris Auto Show. The car dropped the TR initials and added the M which in Italian stood for modificata, or translated to modified, and was the final version of the Testarossa, which continued its predecessor's weight distribution improvement of 42% front, 58% rear. The F512 M was Ferrari's last vehicle that featured the flat-12 engine.
The Testarossa is a recognized cultural icon of the 1980s, and was popularized by media including the 1984 television series Miami Vice (from the 1986 season onward) and Sega's 1986 video game Out Run.
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Common Ferrari Testarossa 1988 problems
The Ferrari Testarossa, produced in 1988, is known for its iconic design and cultural significance. However, it is not without its issues, which can be costly for owners. Here are some common problems with the Ferrari Testarossa based on complaints from owners:
- High ownership cost: Insuring a Ferrari, such as the Testarossa, can cost an average of $5,508 per year, while repairs and maintenance costs are also pricey. For instance, an oil change can cost around $195, and annual fluids can cost around $1,000. Major service repairs can range from $3,200 every five years for the 360 to $7,715 for the Testarossa.
- Fuel injection issues: Cold and hot starting issues are rampant with these cars, mostly due to their complicated fuel injection system. This can cause the engine to take some time to learn how to idle on the first cold start of the day, but it settles down within a minute or so.
- Transmission issues: The transmission can feel lethargic, and it takes several minutes of driving before the fluid in the transmission is warm and circulated enough to feel normal. However, once the car has gone through this process, it drives great for the rest of the day.
- Leaks: The Testarossa can have various leaks, including where the shifter rod connects to the transmission and from the oil drain plug. The most problematic leak is often coolant coming from a mysterious area, which can require dropping the engine to fix.
- Electrical issues: The Testarossa can have various electrical issues, including slow power windows and malfunctioning air conditioning. However, some owners report that their cars have no such issues.
- Bodywork issues: At the age of the Testarossa, the car can have various marks, scrapes, and little chips all over. Some owners opt to have the car restored, which can include re-chroming certain parts, cleaning the arches, and redressing the rubbers .
In summary, while the Ferrari Testarossa is an iconic car, it can be costly to own and maintain due to its complicated fuel injection system, transmission issues, leaks, electrical issues, and bodywork issues.
Is a Ferrari Testarossa reliable?
According to the Ferrari Doctor, it's very reliable, too - if (and this is an "if" as big as the Testarossa's rear end) you have the money to spend on preventive maintenance. The engine needs to be removed every 30,000 miles (or five years) to change the timing belts and adjust the valves.
Why is the Testarossa cheap?
Cheap because they're problematic, fragile and expensive to fix. To buy one means constantly repairing it whether its losing a bank, a gearbox problem, slow windows or needing to be under 5'7" to fit in it properly.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa have?
This minty '88 Testarossa has just over 5000 miles, all piled up from its 390-hp 4.9-liter flat-12-cylinder engine.
What is so special about Ferrari Testarossa?
One of the Testarossa's most distinctive design elements was the side strakes, also known as 'cheese graters'. These strakes, running along each door, weren't just for looks. They cleverly concealed the large intakes needed to cool the car's powerful mid-mounted 12-cylinder engine.
Ferrari Testarossa 1988 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ferrari Testarossa problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Ferrari Testarossa 1988 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Ferrari Testarossa 1988 complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ferrari Testarossa 1988.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-01
- VIN: zffsg17a8j0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The contact's son owns a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa. The contact stated that vehicle was manufactured with an electrical seat belt that would recline once an occupant was seated in either the driver’s or passenger’s side seat. The contact stated that the track for the passenger side seat belt was defective and would not recline with an occupant seated in the passenger’s seat. The seat belt warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V142000 (Seat Belts) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: ZFFSG17A5J0
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRE OCCURRED WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.
Ferrari Testarossa 1988 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Ferrari Testarossa 1988.
- Manufacturer: FERRARI NORTH AMERICA
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. INCONSISTENT ELECTRICAL OPERATION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRACK ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED.
- Consequence: IF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM EXPERIENCES AN ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL FAILURE, THE SEAT OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE FULLY PROTECTED.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE PASSIVE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. THIS INCLUDES THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS, THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, AND BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT MOTOR DRIVEN TRACK ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FERRARI AT 1-201-816-2651.
- Manufacturer: FERRARI NORTH AMERICA
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: AUTOMATIC PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT OPERATE DUE TO A PAYOUT MOTOR DEFECT IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY.
- Consequence: AUTOMATIC OPERATION OF PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM WOULDBECOME INTERMITTENT OR COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE.
- Remedy: REPLACE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY.
Additional sources
More sources of information about Ferrari Testarossa 1988 problems:
Testarossa Seat Belt Retractors (a common ... - FerrariChat.com
... Testarossa Seat Belt Retractors (a common problem?) ... Interesting thing these Ferrari ... It says that this recall affects 468 Testarossas ...
Testarossa True Cost of Ownership | FerrariChat
Another common problem are the slow windows. This is typically due to the grease degrading over time but could also be a seized motor bushing. A ...
Going to see my first Testarossa what should I look out for? | Ferrari ...
Mar 8, 2012 ... Too many transmission problems. B. That car has TRX wheels. The only tires available are very expensive junk. Those are the tires pictured ...
testarossa reliability | FerrariChat
45K miles..serviced properly and when I get the new valve seals installed it will be just another car on the highway, other than it is a Ferrari ...
1991 Ferrari testarossa engine power problem | Ferrari Life Forum
Aug 31, 2004 ... So the engine is like to 6 cylinder engines running seperately with a common crankshaft. So in effect if one cylinder bank is running properly ...
Other years of Ferrari Testarossa
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