2011 Ferrari California Recalls, Issues & Maintenance
The 2011 Ferrari California carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module. No recurring owner-reported issue clusters are on file. Ferrari service runs on the calendar, not the odometer. The factory schedule calls for a full service every year or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first, and cars from the last seven model years get that work free under the Genuine Maintenance program. The big divide is the engine: V8s and V12s built before roughly 2005 use cam belts that must be replaced every 3 to 5 years no matter the mileage, and on the 348 and 355 that means pulling the engine. From the F430 and 599 onward the engines use chains and the scary belt bill goes away. A garaged car driven 1,000 miles a year still needs its annual service, because fluids age on time, not miles.
4 Open Recalls
Source: NHTSAAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #18V188000 · Mar 23, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #18V188000 · Mar 23, 2018
Issue: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Ferrari California, and 2010-2011 Ferrari 458 Italia vehicles that have not had their passenger frontal air bag replaced. These passenger frontal air bag modules have air bag inflators that may explode in the event of a crash due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly with one that uses an alternate inflator, free of charge. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 60A. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V-341.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #16V341000 · May 23, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign #16V341000 · May 23, 2016
Issue: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Ferrari California vehicles manufactured February 16, 2009, to July 8, 2011, and model year 2010-2011 458 Italia vehicles manufactured March 5, 2010, to July 29, 2011. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 60.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Campaign #20V007000 · Sep 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Campaign #20V007000 · Sep 1, 2020
Issue: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2009-2011 California and 2010-2011 458 Italia vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly with an alternate one, including a new non-ammonium nitrate inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 60FL.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Campaign #22V536000 · Jul 26, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Campaign #22V536000 · Jul 26, 2022
Issue: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2005-2009 430, 2019-2020 488 Pista, 2016 F60 America, 2005-2011 612 Scaglietti, 2010-2011 612, 2018-2022 812, 2020-2022 F8 Spider, 2020-2022 F8 Tributo, 2021-2022 Roma, 2009-2017 California, 2015-2017 California T, 2013-2017 F12 Berlinetta, 2017 F12 TDF, 2012-2016 FF, 2017-2020 GTC4 Lusso, 2018-2020 GTC4 Lusso T, 2013-2015 LaFerrari, 2017 LaFerrari Aperta, and 2019-2022 Portofino vehicles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not vent properly, creating a vacuum inside the brake fluid reservoir, and resulting in a brake fluid leak that may lead to a partial or total loss of brake function.
Risk: A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap and update the software to provide a new warning message for low brake fluid, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 22, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is RC 80. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-833.
Known issues for this vehicle
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Ferrari California.
Reported to NHTSA
NHTSA has 1 complaints on file for the 2011 Ferrari California (2019-07 → 2019-07). We haven't grouped them yet for this specific vehicle — for now, the full list lives on NHTSA.
Top reported components: AIR BAGS (1)
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 17, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 17, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Oil Service (Annual)
Every 12,500 miReplace oil and filter every 12 months or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first. Belt-era cars from the 1990s list shorter mileage steps in their manuals. Free for the first 7 years under Ferrari Genuine Maintenance on eligible cars.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Annual Service Inspection
Every 12,500 miThe annual service includes a full inspection of brakes, suspension, fluids, belts, and electronics. Documented dealer or specialist history matters more on a Ferrari than almost any other car; it drives resale value and Classiche eligibility.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.
Cam Belt Service (1990–2005 models)
Every 30,000 miApplies to belt-era cars only: 348, 355, 360, 456, 550, 575 and related models. Ferrari specified roughly 3 years on most of them (5 years on the 575M and some US-market 355s). This is a hard deadline; a snapped belt destroys the engine. On the 348 and 355 the engine comes out to do it. Chain-era cars (F430, 599, and everything after) skip this entirely. Check your manual for your exact interval.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Brake Fluid
Every 12,500 miIncluded in the annual service on the factory schedule; some sources cite 2 years. With carbon-ceramic brakes on modern cars, fresh fluid is cheap insurance. Track use: change before and after events.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Tire Check (Staggered Fitment)
Every 12,500 miFerraris run staggered front and rear sizes that cannot rotate. The annual service checks wear and age instead. On low-mileage cars, tires age out before they wear out; most specialists call 6 years the limit regardless of tread.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Brake Inspection
Every 12,500 miPads, rotors, and wear sensors checked at every annual service. Carbon-ceramic rotors last a long time on the street but cost five figures to replace; have their thickness documented at each service.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Important maintenance
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Spark Plugs
Every 30,000 miChecked at every service and replaced on condition per the factory tables. Specialists commonly replace around 30,000 miles. Most Ferraris hit the time limit on other services long before the plugs wear out.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Gearbox / F1 / DCT Fluid
Every 30,000 miBelt-era manuals list gearbox oil with the regular service steps. F1 automated manuals and the dual-clutch boxes from the 458 onward have intervals that vary by model; published figures conflict, so follow your manual. Specialists commonly service DCT fluid around 30,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Engine Air Filter
Every 25,000 miChecked at every service and replaced on condition per the factory schedule. Dusty climates shorten this considerably.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Recommended maintenance
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Accessory Belts
Every 30,000 miThe 355-era factory table replaced accessory belts every 3 years regardless of mileage. Later cars inspect at every service. Age cracks belts on garage-kept cars long before mileage does.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Engine Coolant
On condition / lifetimeNo fixed street interval on most schedules; the A/C system gets a 2-year check on older cars. Specialists refresh coolant when any cooling component is opened. Hybrid models (SF90, 296) add high-voltage cooling checks that are dealer-only work.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
12V Battery
Every 12,500 miTested at every annual service. Weekend cars kill batteries by sitting; a maintainer is standard practice. On hybrid models the 12V system also wakes the high-voltage electronics, and Ferrari requires the battery conditioner protocol to keep the hybrid warranty valid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Ferrari California reflects Ferrari's published service intervals and the Ferrari Genuine Maintenance system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.