Ferrari California Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Ferrari California options? We analyzed 5 model years (2010–2014) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Ferrari California you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Ferrari California has 6 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls across model years 2010–2014. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2012 drew the most complaints; 2014 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Ferrari
- Model
- California
- Model years analyzed
- 2010–2014 (5 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 6
- Safety recall campaigns
- 14
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2012 (2 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2014 (1 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Excellent
By model year
Ferrari California: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
ExcellentThe FERRARI CALIFORNIA has 6 NHTSA complaints and 14 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 6 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 14 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jun 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
14 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2010–2014. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
Most-reported problem areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 6 NHTSA complaints.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
6 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FERRARI CALIFORNIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V341000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FERRARI OF WASHINGTON (LOCATED AT 45235 TOWLERN PL, STERLING, VA 20166, (703) 478-3606) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
I WAS IN MY FERRARI CALIFORNIA COMING TO PICK UP MY FRIEND (A DATE). I PULLED THE LITTLE LEVER ON THE LEFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. I PULLED IT TWICE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK...THAT WAS MY MISTAKE SINCE THE SECOND PULL TOOK THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE CAR WAS NOW OUT OF PARK. I CAME TO EXIT THE CAR TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR FOR MY DATE. AS I GOT OUT THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN THE SLOPED STREET. I HAD TO THROW MYSELF INTO THE CAR LIKE A STUNTMAN TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS AND PREVENT THE CAR FROM ROLLING DOWN THE STREET AND POSSIBLY KILLING SOMEONE. THE CAR DRIVER DOOR WAS OPEN AS I EXITED THE CAR. IF I DID NOT LEAP BACK INTO THE CAR, I RISKED GETTING RUN OVER SINCE I HAD NOWHERE TO GO AS THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS. I COULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACK OR TO THE LEFT. MY ONLY OPTION TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM RUNNING ME OVER WAS A HEROIC LEAP BACK INTO THE CAR. THE WAY THIS CAR IS PUT INTO PARK HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS. PULLING THAT LEVER SHOULD ALWAYS PUT THE CAR IN PARK. PULLING IT MULTIPLE TIMES SHOULD ENSURE THE CAR IS IN PARK. THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY THE CASE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FERRARI CALIFORNIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO FUNCTION. TWO DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A THIRD DEALER INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FERRARI CALIFORNIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. FERRARI OF WASHINGTON (45235 TOWLERN PL, STERLING, VA 20166, (703) 478-3606) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
LONG ISLAND FERRARI DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FERRARI CALIFORNIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V211000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AND HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Showing 6 of 6 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Ferrari California
These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
Understanding this data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Ferrari California has 6 complaints on record across 5 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Ferrari California has 14 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Ferrari California's 6 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Excellent) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Ferrari California vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Ferrari California vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Ferrari California has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Ferrari California stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Ferrari California by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Ferrari California.
Ferrari California reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Ferrari California reliable?
Excellent. The Ferrari California has 6 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Ferrari California years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2012 (2 complaints), 2010 (1 complaints), 2011 (1 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Ferrari California problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (3 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints).
Does the Ferrari California have recalls?
Yes — 14 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Ferrari California. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.