Recall 18V040 covers 1,899 2013 Ferrari vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised Ferrari dealer.
Ferrari is recalling 1,899 2013 458, California, Ff, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during crash deployment after propellant degradation. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Ferrari dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2013 Ferrari 458, California, Ff, and F12 Berlinetta is the small pressure device inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for passenger air bag deployment, the inflator burns propellant to fill the bag quickly so it can cushion the passenger.
On affected Ferrari vehicles, the Takata PSPI-2 inflator uses propellant wafers that degrade after long exposure to high absolute humidity, high heat, and temperature cycling. Once that propellant has degraded, activation becomes too aggressive. The inflator builds excessive internal pressure, and the inflator body can rupture instead of staying contained during deployment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect only shows itself during a crash where the passenger frontal air bag deploys, so an owner should not expect a dashboard light, noise, smell, or change in how the vehicle drives.
Who's affected?
Covers four Ferrari model lines from the 2013 model year, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator.
| 2013 Ferrari 458 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ferrari California | front air bag |
| 2013 Ferrari Ff | front air bag |
| 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta | front air bag |
| Units affected | 1,899 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2013 Ferrari model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the passenger frontal air bag inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ferrari dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Ferrari 458, California, Ff, or F12 Berlinetta is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ferrari dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag assembly replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Ferrari mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V040 and Ferrari recall 63 when you call.
- Drive with extra caution until the repair is complete, and ask the dealer about appointment timing before you bring the vehicle in.
- Call Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828 with questions about the repair or owner notice.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ferrari technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag assembly. That assembly contains the recalled passenger air bag inflator. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a repair tied to this defect, Ferrari's reimbursement plan asks you to send the original receipt or other proof of payment so the company can confirm the expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 8, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 8, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 22, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V040?
Recall 18V040 covers 1,899 2013 Ferrari 458, California, Ff, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. Ferrari dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Ferrari 458, California, Ff, or F12 Berlinetta is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Ferrari is included in recall 18V040. If it is, contact a franchised Ferrari dealer to schedule replacement of the passenger frontal air bag assembly. Reference recall number 18V040 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ferrari to repair this defect at no cost. A franchised Ferrari dealer will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly free of charge, including parts and labor, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V040?
The safety risk is sharp metal fragments entering the cabin during a passenger frontal air bag deployment. In a crash that triggers the air bag, an inflator explosion can strike the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death.
What if I bought this Ferrari used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a Ferrari letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Ferrari dealer with recall number 18V040.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V040000 |
|---|---|
| Ferrari customer service | 1-866-551-2828 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V040 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V040000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →