2016 Ferrari 488 GTB
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- Class
- Two Seaters
- Body styles
- 488 GTB
- Engines
- 3.9L 8-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 179.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,252 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 0). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB is a two seaters offered with a 3.9L 8-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,252 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 11% worse than the 2016 two seaters average of 20.2 MPG, for an estimated $4,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 488 GTB | 179.9 in | 76.8 in | 47.6 in | 104.3 in | 66.1 / 65 in | 3,252 lb | 42/58 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 488 GTB | 3.9L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | -11% | $4,550 | 501 |
| 488 GTB | 3.9L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -11% | $4,550 | 497 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB.
Similar 2016 two seaterss
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2016 Ferrari California T | 19 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Lamborghini Huracan | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2016 McLaren Automotive 570S Coupe | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 McLaren Automotive 650S Coupe | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2016 McLaren Automotive 650S Spider | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (5)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 23, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V833000 · 9,985 vehicles
- Problem
- Ferrari 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.
- Risk
- Loss of braking ability increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap and update the software, at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 78.
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Jun 4, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V411000 · 893 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 70.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V006000 · 11,176 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Electrical System › Software · Mar 9, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V164000 · 40 vehicles
- Problem
- Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2016 488 GTB and 488 Spider vehicles. Due to a software error, the driver may not be warned that the brake discs are critically worn.
- Risk
- If the driver is not warned about the critical disc wear, brake disc damage may result, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument panel node software, free of charge. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 64.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Dec 28, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V881000 · 119 vehicles
- Problem
- Ferrari North America (FNA) is recalling certain model year 2016 488 GTB vehicles manufactured September 9, 2015, to November 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a low pressure fuel line connection that was not properly coated during manufacturing. This may cause a fuel vapor leak during engine start.
- Risk
- A fuel vapor leak during engine start increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Ferrari will replace the low pressure fuel line assembly connection, free of charge. Affected vehicles are located in dealer inventory and will be remedied before customer retail. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact FNA customer service at 1-866-551-2828.
Not every 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 488 GTB years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 488 GTB | 18 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2018 488 GTB | 18 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2017 488 GTB | 18 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ferrari. How we calculate this →