Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Every generation
Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (315 km/h)
Combined, EPA 2018
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is sharply divided and highly contextual.
5 problems reported (1 very frequent, 4 recurrent) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentGeneral depreciation and perception
Not considered a "full-blown Ferrari" by some, leading to weaker residual values and social stigma among enthusiasts.
- RecurrentFolding hardtop mechanism problems
Sensors and hydraulic components can become problematic with age or lack of use, potentially requiring expensive repairs.
- RecurrentDCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) reliability concerns
Early cars can experience mechatronics or speed sensor failures; costly to repair.
+ 2 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentEarly model dynamics
Original California criticized for soft suspension, body roll, and slow steering, largely addressed by the Handling Speciale package.
- RecurrentStyling subjectivity
Original car's rear-end design is frequently criticized as awkward or disproportionate.
The version owners recommend
California T (2014-2017): The turbocharged model is recurrently mentioned as the preferred version, cited for being "very pretty," having strong performance, and improved dynamics. The Handling Speciale package is noted for addressing early criticisms of a soft suspension and slow steering, making it firmer and more responsive. The original 2008-2013 California is often criticized for its styling ("big, disproportioned ass") and softer dynamics.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Porsche 911 (multiple generations), Ferrari 360, Ferrari 430, Ferrari 458 and Ferrari Portofino.
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Overall sentiment
Sentiment is sharply divided and highly contextual. Among long-term owners and those who have purchased used examples, the California (particularly the later T model) is frequently praised as a reliable, practical, and enjoyable entry point into Ferrari ownership, offering a comfortable grand touring experience, strong performance, and relative ease of maintenance compared to older models. However, a very frequent and dominant theme in broader discussions is its negative perception as the "budget" or "entry-level" Ferrari, often dismissed as a "wife's car" or "chick's car" lacking the brand's traditional mid-engine, V12 purity. This perception heavily influences its positioning and resale value. Owners who acquire the car for its intended purpose: a comfortable, open-top GT: report high satisfaction, especially when purchased at a significant discount from its original MSRP.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as the most affordable and practical entry into modern Ferrari ownership. Within the Ferrari lineup, it is consistently seen as inferior to mid-engine models (360, 430, 458) for driving engagement and prestige, but superior to them for daily usability, comfort, and lower running costs. The later California T is noted as being "way faster on track than people assume." It is frequently compared to the Porsche 911, with the 911 acknowledged as more reliable, sterile, and common, while the California offers a more emotional, exclusive badge and experience. Successor models (Portofino, Roma) are mentioned as addressing its flaws but at a significantly higher price point ($75,000 more). It is not considered a collectible.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available for specific color or option recommendations. The Handling Speciale package is mentioned as a significant performance enhancer. All-wheel drive is not discussed as an option.
General recommendations
Recommended as a "great entry-level Ferrari" for buyers seeking a comfortable, open-top grand tourer with lower acquisition and maintenance costs than other contemporary Ferraris. Strongly suggested for those who plan to drive the car regularly, as it is reported to be reliable and practical for daily use. NOT recommended for buyers seeking peak driving engagement, mid-engine dynamics, or a car with strong investment potential. A comprehensive pre-purchase inspection by a Ferrari specialist is essential, focusing on the folding hardtop mechanism, DCT transmission, and overall maintenance history. Purchasing a well-maintained, later-model California T is advised over an early, high-mileage, or poorly documented example.
Remarks
The California's market position is defined by its role as Ferrari's entry-level model of its era, which explains its steeper depreciation and lower desirability compared to concurrent mid-engine cars. Owner satisfaction is highly correlated with purchase price and intended use; those buying used examples at a fraction of MSRP for enjoyable cruising report high satisfaction, while those comparing it to more focused sports cars are disappointed. The manufacturer's own former CEO was quoted in owner discussions expressing that the car struggled with its "identity" within the Ferrari lineup. Maintenance costs, while significant, are frequently described as lower and more predictable than for older models like the 348, making it a pragmatic choice for regular use. Analysis based on approximately 24 substantive owner discussions across multiple generations.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearNo year grades F. Best year: 2014Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 3 | air bags |
| 2014 | 1 | 2 | air bags |
| 2013 | 1 | 2 | service brakes |
| 2012 | 2 | 2 | air bags |
| 2011 | 1 | 4 | air bags |
| 2010 | 1 | 4 | vehicle speed control |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices17 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2017 · service brakes, hydrauliccampaign 22V536000
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.
2017 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V006000
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.
2017 · air bags: air bag/restraint control modulecampaign 19V411000
Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2018 488 Spider, 488 Pista, 2015 458 Speciale A, 2016-2018 488 GTB, 2015-2017 F12 Berlinetta, 2016 F12 tdf, and 2016-2018 Carlifornia T vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly causing the non-deployment or improper deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
2014 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V006000
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.
2014 · service brakes, hydrauliccampaign 22V536000
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.
2013 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V040000
On January 9, 2018 Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) recalled 1,073 model year 2013 California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On May 18, 2018, Ferrari expanded the recall to include an additional 826 model year 2013 California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles located throughout the rest of the United States. 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.
2013 · service brakes, hydrauliccampaign 22V536000
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.
2012 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V381000
Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2012 Ferrari California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, and FF vehicles that have not already 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.
2012 · service brakes, hydrauliccampaign 22V536000
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.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V188000
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.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V341000
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.
2011 · air bags:frontalcampaign 20V007000
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.
2011 · service brakes, hydrauliccampaign 22V536000
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.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V188000
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.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V341000
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.
2 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
3.9 V8
3.9L 8-cylinder · 560 hp · RWD · automatic
Built 2014–2017