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2016 Ferrari 488 GTB

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

Ferrari 488 GTB
Pictured: 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB Spider S-A 3.9 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
488 GTB179.9 in76.8 in47.6 in104.3 in66.1 / 65 in3,252 lb42/58

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
488 GTB3.9L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-11%$4,550501
488 GTB3.9L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-11%$4,550497
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $10,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.2 MPG2016 Two Seaters average

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

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Ferrari 488 GTB (this car)18 MPGNot rated5
2016 Ferrari 488 Spider18 MPGNot rated3
2016 Ferrari California T19 MPGNot rated4
2016 Lamborghini Huracan17 MPGNot rated2
2016 McLaren Automotive 570S Coupe19 MPGNot rated0
2016 McLaren Automotive 650S Coupe18 MPGNot rated0
2016 McLaren Automotive 650S Spider18 MPGNot rated0

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Air Bags2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/08: 126/05: 119/0826/05max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 2 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. 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 →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 488 GTB18179.9 inNot rated21
2018 488 GTB18179.9 inNot rated42
2017 488 GTB18179.9 inNot rated34

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ferrari. How we calculate this →