Recall 18V381 affects 1,507 2012 Ferrari California, Ff, and 458 vehicles for exploding passenger air bag inflators. Free repair at any franchised Ferrari dealer.
Ferrari is recalling 1,507 2012 California, Ff, and 458 vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode in a crash after long-term humidity and temperature cycling. Metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death, and Ferrari dealers will replace the passenger air bag module free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag module in 2012 Ferrari California, Ff, and 458 vehicles is built to protect the front passenger in a crash. The inflator inside that module creates gas quickly so the air bag fills between the passenger and the interior of the car.
On affected vehicles, the Takata PSPI-2 inflator uses propellant wafers that degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling. When the air bag deploys in a crash, degraded propellant burns too aggressively and creates excessive pressure inside the inflator. That pressure can rupture the inflator body instead of filling the air bag as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the passenger air bag inflator, so the vehicle does not give the owner a noise, smell, warning light, or change in driving feel before the inflator ruptures during deployment.
Who's affected?
Covers the California, Ff, and 458 in the same model year, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2012 Ferrari California | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ferrari Ff | front air bag |
| 2012 Ferrari 458 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 1,507 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A passenger air bag inflator can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants and causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the recall repair soon instead of waiting for symptoms. Repair is free at any franchised Ferrari dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Ferrari California, Ff, or 458 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ferrari dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag assembly replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Ferrari mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V381 when you call.
- Ask the Ferrari dealer for driving and passenger-seat guidance while you wait for the appointment.
- Call Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668 with questions about the air bag inflator replacement.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ferrari technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag assembly with an assembly that uses an alternate inflator. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you have already paid out of pocket for this air bag defect, send Ferrari the original receipt or other proof of payment so the company can confirm the expense and process the reimbursement request.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 7, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 22, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 19, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V381?
Recall 18V381 covers 1,507 2012 Ferrari California, Ff, and 458 vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode in a crash 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 2012 Ferrari California, Ff, or 458 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Ferrari is included in recall 18V381. If it is, contact a franchised Ferrari dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag assembly replacement. Reference recall number 18V381 or Ferrari recall number 61 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ferrari's remedy says dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Ferrari dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an inflator explosion during a crash. Metal fragments can strike people inside the vehicle, which Ferrari and NHTSA identify as a risk of serious injury or death. The fix is the free replacement of the passenger frontal air bag assembly.
What if I bought my Ferrari used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Ferrari is included, then contact a franchised Ferrari dealer and reference recall 18V381 or Ferrari recall number 61.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V381000 |
|---|---|
| Ferrari customer service | 1-201-816-2668 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V381 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V381000 |
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 →