DecodedCars2018 Ferrari 488 Spider
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Two Seaters
- Body styles
- 488 SPIDER
- Engines
- 3.9L 8-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 660 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 179.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,362 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 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.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider 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 3,362 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 8% worse than the 2018 two seaters average of 19.6 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 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 488 Spider — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 488 Spider →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Maranello, Emilia-Romagna
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2018 488 Spider configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 488 SPIDER | 179.9 in | 76.8 in | 47.6 in | 104.3 in | 66.1 / 65 in | 3,362 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 Spider | 3.9L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | -8% | $4,550 | 501 |
| 488 Spider | 3.9L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -8% | $4,550 | 495 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider.
Similar 2018 two seaterss
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB | 18 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 Lotus Evora | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Lamborghini Huracan | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2018 McLaren Automotive 570S Coupe | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 McLaren Automotive 720S Coupe | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 McLaren Automotive 570GT | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 14, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V090000 · 2,150 vehicles
- Problem
- Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2017 LaFerrari Aperta, 2018-2019 488 GTB, GTC4Lusso T, GTC4Lusso, 488 Spider, 812 Superfast, and 2019 488 Pista vehicles. The fuel vapor separator may crack and allow fuel to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
- Fix
- Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel vapor separator, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 69.
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.
Not every 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 1 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,700 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 488 Spider years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 488 Spider | 18 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 488 Spider | 18 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 488 Spider | 18 | 179.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ferrari. How we calculate this →