2015 Ferrari California T Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Ferrari California T carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module and frontal. 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.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V006000 · Sep 1, 2019

Issue: Ferrari North America (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2014 Ferrari California, 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 2014-2016 Ferrari FF, 2014-2017 Ferrari F12, 2015-2018 Ferrari California T, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A, 2016 Ferrari F60 America, 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf, 2016-2018 Ferrari 488 GTB, 488 Spider, 2017-2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso and 2018 GTC4Lusso T vehicles nationwide. These vehicles are equipped with certain 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 deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and 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 passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is 65.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #15V433000 · Jul 7, 2015

Issue: Ferrari North America, Inc. (FNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 458 Speciale, 458 Speciale A, California T, FF, F12 Berlinetta, and LaFerrari vehicles manufactured December 19, 2014, to April 29, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a driver side air bag module that was improperly assembled. This can cause the air bag to deploy in a rotated orientation.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the deployment of the driver's air bag in a rotated orientation increases the risk of injury.

Fix: FNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front Driver's Side Air Bag Module, free of charge. The recall began on August 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is 57.

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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Ferrari California T.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…
View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 18, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 18, 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 mi

Replace 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 mi

The 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 mi

Applies 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 mi

Included 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 mi

Ferraris 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 mi

Pads, 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 mi

Checked 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 mi

Belt-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 mi

Checked 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 mi

The 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 / lifetime

No 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 mi

Tested 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 2015 Ferrari California T 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.

Check another vehicle →