Ferrari recalls F430 Spider for defective convertible top
Click above for high-res gallery of the Ferrari F430 Spider
Yesterday Ferrari issued a recall for 1,950 of its 2005-2007 F430 Spiders involving the car's automatic convertible top, according to the NHTSA. The problem arose from the hydraulic hoses that operate the top, which could form hairline cracks due to heat from the engine. As a result, the hoses could leak fluid into the engine bay and possibly create smoke or even start a fire. To remedy the situation, Ferrari dealers will install an insulated heat shield that will protect the hoses from heat in the engine bay. Full details can be found in the NHTSA release after the jump.
Gallery: Ferrari F430 Spider
[Source: InsideLine via FerrariChat.com]
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
FERRARI / F430
2005-2007
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
09V048000
Summary:
FERRARI IS RECALLING 1,950 MY 2005-2007 F40 SPIDER VEHICLES. THE DEFECT INVOLVES THE HYDRAULIC HOSES FOR THE CONVERTIBLE TOP THAT ARE LOCATED INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE MAY CAUSE HAIR-LINE CRACKS TO FORM IN THE HOSES WHICH MAY RESULT IN FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.
Consequence:
THIS LEAKAGE IN TURN, WILL CAUSE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IF NOT REMEDIED, COULD ULTIMATELY LEAK FLUID INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING SMOKE AND A FIRE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE HEAT SHIELDS OVER THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HYDRAULIC LINES TO INSULATE THEM FROM THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FERRARI AT 201-816-2600.
Notes:
FERRARI RECALL NO. 49. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Quattroporte 5:02PM (2/18/2009)
"...possibly create smoke or even start a fire."
The sign of a true Italian car.
Reply
Mobius_1 6:41PM (2/18/2009)
Says the Maserati. :)
Quattroporte 6:57PM (2/18/2009)
Replies the Pagani. ☺
Mobius_1 1:51PM (2/19/2009)
Viva Italia!
carcomptoy 5:03PM (2/18/2009)
You'd think that they'd also make the hoses more heat-resistent.
Reply
Seminole 5:06PM (2/18/2009)
You guys already talked about this a few days ago:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/14/2009-models-lead-nhtsas-latest-recalls-including-mazda6-town/
Reply
Andy 5:16PM (2/18/2009)
I wonder if AutoBlog Bloggers read AutoBlog.
Reply
Quattroporte 5:23PM (2/18/2009)
AutoBlog Bloggers get paid for writing Blogs for Weblogs' AutobBlog not reading AutoBlog Blogs. I wonder how much Bloggers get paid for a Blogging a Blog on AutoBlog.
Torrent 6:14PM (2/18/2009)
Oh my god I have never seen the word blog so much.
Quattroporte 6:35PM (2/18/2009)
@Myself
That was lame.
Mobius_1 6:40PM (2/18/2009)
@ Quattroporte
That was epic funny/confusing/lame/fail/clever (delete as appropriate)
efw 7:58PM (2/18/2009)
@mobius
how do you delete funny and clever at the same time?
Rob 5:24PM (2/18/2009)
One of my co-workers was hosed down by the hydraulic convertible top in his Jaguar. Surprisingly he still has one.
Reply
Yar 5:29PM (2/18/2009)
A friend of mine has a brand spanking new XKR and the reverse lights have already stopped working. British cars I guess...
Quattroporte 6:33PM (2/18/2009)
"FERRARI IS RECALLING 1,950 MY 2005-2007 F40 SPIDER VEHICLES."
They brought back the F40 as a convertible!?
Reply
Mobius_1 6:39PM (2/18/2009)
"2005-2007 F40 SPIDER VEHICLES"
Like everyone else, Ferrari are reviving old nameplates, with a twist.
Reply
pscarpelli 9:50PM (2/18/2009)
Any car can require a recall, and it's usually not an indication of quality. If the automaker owns up to it, fine. And what's with the schadenfreude of some of you guys when something other than what you own (or covet, most likely) has a problem? Does that elevate your station in life if something else has a flaw? How many of you actually own something fast and/or exotic? (An S4 doesn't count.)
Reply
369EkO 11:49PM (2/18/2009)
If you really care, I own a Lambo