2012 Ferrari 458: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker 458 years.
3 owner complaints, most about air bags. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 458?The 2012 Ferrari 458 has 3 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag interior quality and aging: sticky buttons, loose headliners, and general wear in older, higher-mileage examples (e.g., 2010-2012 models). piano black trim and touch-sensitive buttons noted as prone to fingerprints and may become less responsive over time.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Ferrari 458 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 458 years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the 458?
Across the 5 458 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2015) to 3 (2012). With 3 complaints, the 2012 458 sits about the same as the model's median of 2.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 458
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 18V381000Ferrari 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.
latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock
Campaign 14V487000Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 F458 Italia and F458 Spider vehicles manufactured March 5, 2010, to May 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the secondary latch for the front trunk storage compartment may not release when the vehicle is stationary. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 401, "Interior Trunk Release."
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 12V211000FERRARI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 458 ITALIA AND 2012 CALIFORNIA VEHICLES BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT MAY FAIL DUE TO INCORRECT MACHINING.
service brakes, hydraulic
Campaign 21V833000Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2010-2015 458 Italia, 2012-2015 458 Spider, 2014-2015 458 Speciale, 2015 458 Speciale Aperta, 2016-2019 488 GTB, and 488 Spider vehicles. The brake system may leak brake fluid, resulting in a loss of braking ability.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with the 458 Italia widely regarded as a modern classic and one of the most desirable modern Ferraris.
- RecurrentInterior quality and aging
Sticky buttons, loose headliners, and general wear in older, higher-mileage examples (e.g., 2010-2012 models). Piano black trim and touch-sensitive buttons noted as prone to fingerprints and may become less responsive over time.
Owner insights cover all generations of the 458. See the full 458 owner picture and every model year.
Other 458 model years
Compare every 458 year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 458 against its rivals
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