- Internet is abuzz with reports of a Ferrari 458 Italia recall.
- The potential defect could cause fire.
- Ferrari says there is no recall, but that it is calling 458 owners, asking to inspect their cars.
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, New Jersey — Ferrari dealers in the U.S. have begun calling owners of the 458 Italia, asking them to bring their cars in to check for a defect that could cause fires, a Ferrari North America spokesman told Inside Line.
"We just started deliveries in June to U.S. customers," the spokesman told IL. "Only a handful of cars are involved in the U.S."
The spokesman, who asked not to be identified by name, said Ferrari dealers are replacing a heat shield on the 458 Italia that has been identified as a potential cause of fires that have been widely reported by global media outlets.
"I'm not sure that you would call this a recall," the Ferrari spokesman told IL.
The $230,000 458 Italia was not listed Wednesday morning on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's official recall list.
Various Web sites and blogs on Wednesday were reporting that Ferrari had finally begun responding to reports of fires in the 458 Italia.
Superquant, a poster on the FerrariChat.com fan site, said: "My dealer just informed me that as of 1 minute ago he learned that Ferrari has issued a recall on ALL 458 due to the fire situation. Ferrari has determined the cause of the 458's that have caught on fire was from an adhesive that attached the heat shield under the rear fenders. The heat shields were attached with an adhesive and became flammable under high temps. The new shield will be attached rivets, not any type of adhesive. Every 458 produced will get this new part so call your dealer now and set up your appointment which of course is free of charge. Ferrari is not taking any chances and will replace this part on every 458 italia produced to date."
At the car's official unveiling last summer, Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, blogging on the company's official Web site, referred to the 458 Italia as "a tribute to Italy and its unique qualities."
Inside Line says: Why has NHTSA been fiddling while Ferraris are burning? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
hn4u says:
12:19 AM, 10/17/2010
so what to worry about, if you spending that much money on a car that you barley will drive it, then you have no worries about insurance.
agnh says:
09:57 PM, 09/02/2010
In Italian accent... "Zee Ferrari, she ees tempermental, ya? You hava got to driva very fast so she don't burna upa."
tbone85 says:
05:09 PM, 09/02/2010
How many fires in the U.S.? How many complaints to Congress or NHSTA?
jeremy_c says:
06:20 AM, 09/02/2010
So mere allegations led to Congress probe of Toyota but actual reported cases of fire in the 458 (in terms of % cars sold far exceeds Toyota) does not constitute a recall or warrant NHTSA investigation?
Another case of the old boys network at work!
tdiluv says:
04:46 AM, 09/02/2010
THAT PICTURE SENT SHOCK WAVES THROUGH THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY !
jays83gsl says:
04:10 PM, 09/01/2010
When I saw the picture I figured it was GM test driving a new Fiero prototype.
cardesigner82 says:
12:43 PM, 09/01/2010
Hmmm, I thought 99.9% of adhesives were "highly flammable", with the exception of Elmer's white glue. Seems like a major fault by Ferrari to sell defective products, that could have been fatal. I mean Ferrari is not exactly a mass production automobile company, it is relatively low-volume.
f1guy1 says:
09:18 AM, 09/01/2010
Why are we worried about Ferrari's? This seems to be more entertainment than anything. Though I really have to compliment Ferrari for gettting this matter resolved asap. Good job there. Then again, 230k had better get you something you know.