DecodedCars2013 Ferrari California
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.
- Class
- Minicompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Coupe RWD
- Engines
- 4.3L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 179.5 in
- Curb weight
- 3,825 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 33% below the 2013 minicompact car average of 23.9 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2013 Ferrari California is a minicompact car offered with a 4.3L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,825 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 33% worse than the 2013 minicompact car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2013
- Lightest version 320 lb lighter
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 California →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe RWD | 179.5 in | 74.8 in | 51.6 in | 105.1 in | 66.1 / 65.4 in | 3,825 lb | 47/53 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4.3L 8-cyl | Automatic (AM7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -33% | $5,150 | 573 |
| California | 4.3L 8-cyl | Automatic (AM7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -33% | $5,150 | 567 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Ferrari California.
Similar 2013 minicompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ferrari California (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2013 Ferrari 458 Italia | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2013 Lotus Evora | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2013 Aston Martin Vantage | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 26, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V536000 · 23,555 vehicles
- Problem
- Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2005-2009 430, 2019-2020 488 Pista, 2016 F60 America, 2005-2011 612 Scaglietti, 2010-2011 612, 2018-2022 812, 2020-2022 F8 Spider, 2020-2022 F8 Tributo, 2021-2022 Roma, 2009-2017 California, 2015-2017 California T, 2013-2017 F12 Berlinetta, 2017 F12 TDF, 2012-2016 FF, 2017-2020 GTC4 Lusso, 2018-2020 GTC4 Lusso T, 2013-2015 LaFerrari, 2017 LaFerrari Aperta, and 2019-2022 Portofino vehicles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not vent properly, creating a vacuum inside the brake fluid reservoir, and resulting in a brake fluid leak that may lead to a partial or total loss of brake function.
- Risk
- A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap and update the software to provide a new warning message for low brake fluid, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 22, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is RC 80. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21V-833.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V040000 · 1,899 vehicles
- Problem
- On January 9, 2018 Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) recalled 1,073 model year 2013 California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On May 18, 2018, Ferrari expanded the recall to include an additional 826 model year 2013 California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles located throughout the rest of the United States. 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 1, 2018 for the original population. The recall will begin in June 2018 for the expanded population. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is 63.
Not every 2013 Ferrari California is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Ferrari California buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 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 13,000 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 2013 Ferrari California. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other California years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 California | 16 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2012 California | 15 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2011 California | 15 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 1 |
| 2010 California | 15 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 1 |
| 2009 California | 15 | 179.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ferrari. How we calculate this →