1990 Ferrari Testarossa problems

Common 1990 Ferrari Testarossa problems

The Ferrari Testarossa, produced from 1984 to 1996, is known for its distinctive styling and powerful 12-cylinder engine. However, it has also been associated with several common problems that owners have reported.

• High Ownership Cost: The Ferrari Testarossa is notorious for its high ownership costs, which include expensive insurance premiums, costly repairs, and maintenance. For instance, an oil change for a Testarossa can cost around $195, while annual fluids can cost around $1,000. Major service repairs, such as belt, gasket, bearing, and seal replacements, can range from $3,200 to $7,715.

• Fuel Injection System: The Testarossa's fuel injection system is known to be problematic, causing cold and hot starting issues. This is a common complaint among owners, who often find it challenging to start the car in less-than-ideal temperature conditions.

• Engine Management System: The Testarossa's engine management system can also be a source of frustration for owners. While it is more modern than that of its predecessor, the Berlinetta Boxer, it can still be prone to issues that require costly repairs.

• Radiator Placement: The Testarossa's radiators are located at the sides of the car, which required Ferrari to widen the car significantly. This has led to some criticism of the car's styling, with many considering it overblown or excessive.

• Gearbox Placement: The Testarossa's gearbox is located under the engine, which can lead to packaging issues and compromise the car's low center of gravity, a key advantage of a flat-12 engine configuration .
• Coolant Leaks: Coolant leaks are a common problem with the Testarossa, particularly from the water pump seal. Fixing this issue requires dropping the engine, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.

In summary, while the Ferrari Testarossa is a powerful and iconic sports car, it is not without its issues. Owners should be prepared for high ownership costs, potential starting problems, and the possibility of costly repairs and maintenance.

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.

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.

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.

What is the top speed of the 1990 Ferrari Testarossa?

The Testarossa engine continued to push the envelope on speed as well, with impressive track times for a road car:

• 0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds.
• 0-100 mph: 11.4 seconds.
• Quarter Mile: 13.5 seconds.
• Top Speed: 180 mph.

1990 Ferrari Testarossa 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

The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Ferrari Testarossa vehicle components and the number of complaints received.