A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed against Ferrari in the U.S., alleging the automaker’s failure to adequately address known brake system issues, which could result in a potential loss of braking capability.
Filed in San Diego federal court by Ferrari drivers, the lawsuit targets various Ferrari models, including the mid-engine V-8-powered 458 and 488.
The lawsuit claims that despite Ferrari’s awareness of serious brake system issues, particularly related to the 458 and 488 models, the company did not take sufficient steps to rectify the problem. A recall issued by Ferrari in 2021 affected nearly 10,000 cars, citing a risk of loss of braking power due to a leaking brake fluid reservoir cap.
This issue posed significant safety concerns, particularly given the high-performance nature of Ferrari vehicles, capable of speeds exceeding 200 mph.
However, the lawsuit alleges that the recall remedy, which involved replacing the brake fluid reservoir cap and updating the software, was merely an interim solution and did not fully resolve the underlying braking problems.
The lead plaintiff, Iliya Nechev of San Marcos, California, recounted several near-accidents due to brake-related issues with his 2010 Ferrari 458. Despite seeking assistance from a Ferrari dealer, Nechev claims he was told that his vehicle’s brakes were functioning normally, urging him to “just get used to them.”
The lawsuit asserts that Ferrari had a legal obligation to disclose the brake defect as a known safety issue, which the company allegedly failed to fulfill.
Bosch, the German supplier of the purportedly faulty components, is also named in the lawsuit. However, when approached for comment, a Bosch spokesperson declined to respond, citing the company’s policy regarding litigation matters.
