Recall 18V164 affects 40 2016 Ferrari 488 Gtb and 488 Spider vehicles for missing brake-disc wear warnings. Repair is free at any franchised Ferrari dealer.
Ferrari is recalling 40 2016 488 Gtb and 488 Spider vehicles because a software error can leave drivers without a warning when brake discs are critically worn. Without that warning, brake disc damage can increase crash risk, and Ferrari dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The carbo-ceramic brake discs on the 2016 Ferrari 488 Gtb and 488 Spider are the round braking surfaces clamped by the brake pads when you press the pedal. The car also uses software to estimate how much usable disc material remains. That estimate is supposed to warn the driver when the brake discs are critically worn and need service.
On affected vehicles, the software algorithm that calculates brake-disc wear has an error. Ferrari found that the estimated wear did not match actual wear during scheduled maintenance inspections. Because the software value is wrong, the driver can miss the warning that the brake discs have reached a critical wear level.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall issue is the missing or incorrect wear warning itself, so do not rely on the dashboard to confirm that the brake discs still have enough material.
Who's affected?
Both Ferrari 488 variants appear under the same 2 component categories: electrical system software and hydraulic brake system.
| 2016 Ferrari 488 Gtb | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2016 Ferrari 488 Gtb | hydraulic brake system |
| 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider | electrical system software |
| 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 40 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Without the software update, the driver is not warned when brake disc wear reaches a critical point. Continued driving with worn discs can damage the brake discs and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign listed before this condition. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ferrari dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Ferrari 488 Gtb or 488 Spider is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ferrari dealer to schedule the free instrument-panel software update.
- Schedule the software update that fixes the missing warning for critically worn brake discs.
- Bring the recall notice if Ferrari mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V164 when you call.
- Call Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668 with questions and reference recall number 18V164 (Ferrari recall 64).
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ferrari technician updates the instrument panel node software so the warning system can alert the driver when the brake discs are critically worn. The software update and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a repair tied to this defect, send Ferrari the original receipt or other proof of payment so the company can confirm the expense and process reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 2, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| April 2, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 4, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V164?
Recall 18V164 covers 40 2016 Ferrari 488 Gtb and 488 Spider vehicles with an instrument-panel software error that can fail to warn the driver when brake discs are critically worn. Ferrari dealers will update the instrument panel node software for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Ferrari 488 Gtb or 488 Spider is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Ferrari is included in recall 18V164. If it is, contact a franchised Ferrari dealer to schedule the instrument panel node software update. Reference recall number 18V164 or Ferrari recall number 64 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ferrari dealers will update the instrument panel node software free of charge for vehicles included in recall 18V164.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is missed warning of critically worn brake discs. If the driver is not warned, brake disc damage can result and increase crash risk. The repair updates the instrument panel node software so the warning system works as intended.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V164000 |
|---|---|
| Ferrari customer service | 1-201-816-2668 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V164 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V164000 |
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 →