Even Ferrari is not immune to recalls. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has just issued a recall for 9,985 North American Ferraris. It spans several models and years and is over brake failures. What’s unusual about the recall is that the NHTSA can’t determine which cars might be affected. Ferrari doesn’t know what is causing the problem. 

Ferrari says don’t drive them

So owners with these cars should not drive them until Ferrari finds the problem. Then it can be brought into a Ferrari dealership for the fix. If you were planning on traveling to a Thanksgiving gathering in your Ferrari, better arrange other plans. 

The recall takes in 2010-2015 458 Italia, 2012-2015 458 Spider, 2014-2015 458 Speciale, 2015 458 Speciale Aperta, and 2016-2019 488 GTB and 488 Spider models. Brake fluid is leaking, but the recall doesn’t say where. The NHTSA does say that both Ferrari and Bosch are trying to determine the cause. So it is probably the brake booster and pump assembly manufactured by Bosch.  

“The Ferrari 458 and 488 model vehicles are no longer in production. Subsequent Ferrari models do not use the same brake master cylinder/brake booster component,” the company says. You know, just in case any potential buyers might be concerned about purchasing a new Ferrari. 

“Pull off the road as soon as it is safe to do so”

If you must drive your Ferrari, be aware of the warning light on the instrument panel. It will light up if the fluid quantity falls below 50-percent. The NHTSA advises if that happens to “pull off of the road as soon as it is safe to do so, and then contact Ferrari Roadside Assistance and get towed to the nearest authorized Ferrari dealer.” 

“Ferrari is not yet aware of the root cause of this problem, nor the number of vehicles actually affected by it,” the company says. “We intend to send an interim notification letter to all 458 and 488 vehicle owners to warn them of this issue.” It says if it could determine the cause the number of cars needing to be recalled would be smaller. 

The automaker hopes to know the cause before Christmas

Expectations are that owners will hear from Ferrari sometime around the holidays. Notifications should start arriving around Christmas. It is hoped that when this happens Ferrari will know the cause and can begin rounding up the affected 458 and 488 cars. 

For those who have concerns or questions about the recall, they can call Ferrari Customer Service at 201-816-2668. Reference the recall number 78. You can also contact the NHTSA directly at 888-327-4236.