Research · Two Seaters

2018 Ferrari 488 GTBRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB. Most complaints involve service brakes (1). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2021
Owner complaints
2
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes, hydraulic

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Oct 23, 2021NHTSA 21V833000

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2018 488 Spider, 488 Pista, 2015 458 Speciale A, 2016-2018 488 GTB, 2015-2017 F12 Berlinetta, 2016 F12 tdf, and 2016-2018 Carlifornia T vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly causing the non-deployment or improper deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

Air bagsReported Jun 4, 2019NHTSA 19V411000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2017 LaFerrari Aperta, 2018-2019 488 GTB, GTC4Lusso T, GTC4Lusso, 488 Spider, 812 Superfast, and 2019 488 Pista vehicles. The fuel vapor separator may crack and allow fuel to leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 14, 2019NHTSA 19V090000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2019 – Sep 2021
  1. Service brakes1
  2. Other / unknown1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 488 GTB model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20162
20174
20182
20191
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

1 report1 crash
“ON 6/4/21, MY 2018 FERRARI 488 GTB DISPLAYED A MESSAGE IN MY LEFT DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL PRIOR TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT READ "BRAKE FLUID LOW-DRIVE TO DEALER SLOWLY", THAT RESULTED IN MY FERRARI BEING TOTALED BY STATE FARM AFTER I JUMPED OUT OF THE RUNNING AND MOVING FERRARI ONTO MY REAR LAWN BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE IT WENT INTO A POND BEHIND MY RESIDENCE. THEN, 6-WEEKS LATER THE REPLACEMENT 2018 FERRARI GTB VIN#[XXX] I PURCHASED FROM FERRARI OF ATLANTA DISPLAYED THE SAME MESSAGE IN MY LEFT DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT READ "BRAKE FLIUID LOW-DRIVE TO DEALER SLOWLY BEFORE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE. AFTER HAVING THE REPLACMENT FERRARI TOWED INTO CONTINENTAL FERRARI IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED INSIDE THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT CAUSED THE BRAKE FAILURE ON THE REPLACEMENT FERRARI. THE FIRST FERRARI WAS TAKEN TO A COMPANY AND SOLD AS SALVAGE. THE COMPANY NAME IS COPART AND THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBER IS (314) 291-8400. NONE OF THE FERRARI SERVICE DEPARTMENTS OR SALES DEPARTMENTS THAT I CONTACTED HAD ANY RECORD OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE PROBLEMS THAT I EXPERIENCED…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2021Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11433534
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
3.9L 8-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
488 GTB
Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 3.9 L, Turbo, SIDI · Rear-Wheel Drive
152218$4,300501
488 GTB
Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 3.9 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$4,300495
  • 488 GTB
    Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 3.9 L, Turbo, SIDI
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • 488 GTB
    Auto (AM7), 8 cyl, 3.9 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 488 GTB questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026