Recall 16V856 affects 326 2017 Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles for a loose rear differential pinion nut. Repair is free at any franchised Maserati dealer.
Maserati is recalling 326 of its 2017 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles because the rear differential pinion nut was not properly tightened and can loosen. If the pinion gear binds, the rear wheels can lock and raise crash risk; Maserati dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The rear differential in the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli sends engine power to the rear wheels while letting those wheels turn at different speeds in a corner. Inside that unit, the pinion nut holds the pinion gear in the correct position against its bearings. That location matters because the pinion gear must mesh cleanly with the ring gear.
On affected vehicles, the pinion nut was not tightened to the correct torque during assembly. As the nut loosens, it loses the clamping force that keeps the pinion aligned. That can create noise and vibration, shorten gear and bearing life, and let differential fluid leak at the pinion seal. In the most severe condition, the pinion can bind against the differential gear and lock the rear wheels.
Before failure, owners can notice noise, vibration, or harshness from the rear driveline. Treat a new whine, rumble, vibration, or rough feel from the rear of the vehicle as the warning sign for this defect.
Who's affected?
Covers the Quattroporte and Ghibli under the same driveline differential unit.
| 2017 Maserati Quattroporte | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2017 Maserati Ghibli | driveline |
| Units affected | 326 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
The rear differential problem can let a loose pinion gear bind and lock the rear wheels, increasing crash risk. Noise, vibration, or harshness can be a warning sign, so schedule service promptly if you notice them. Repair is free at any franchised Maserati dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Maserati Quattroporte or Ghibli is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Maserati dealer to schedule the free rear differential inspection, pinion-nut torque check, and rear differential replacement if the nut has loosened.
- Bring the recall notice if Maserati mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V856 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the dealer completes the inspection and any needed repair. Avoid hard acceleration and stop driving if the rear wheels bind or lock.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Maserati technician inspects the rear differential unit pinion nut torque. If the nut was not tightened correctly or the differential needs replacement, the technician replaces the rear differential unit. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related rear differential repair before the recall notice, Maserati's general reimbursement plan on file covers eligible documented costs. Bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk so the dealer can explain how the reimbursement process applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 12, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| December 12, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 12, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 12, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 30, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V856?
Recall 16V856 covers 326 2017 Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles with a rear differential pinion nut that was not tightened correctly. If the nut loosens, the pinion gear can bind and the rear wheels can lock up. Maserati dealers inspect the nut torque and replace the rear differential unit if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Maserati Quattroporte or Ghibli is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V856. If it is, contact a franchised Maserati dealer and ask for recall 328 or NHTSA campaign 16V856. The dealer will inspect the rear differential unit and complete the covered repair for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. Maserati dealers will inspect the rear differential unit pinion nut torque and, if needed, replace the rear differential unit free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is rear-wheel lockup. A loose pinion nut can let the pinion gear bind inside the rear differential, which can lock the rear wheels and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V856000 |
|---|---|
| Maserati customer service | 1-877-696-2737 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V856 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V856000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →