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Ferrari2013–2018 Critical issues documented

Ferrari LaFerrari: common faults & what to check

Thinking about buying a used Ferrari LaFerrari (2013–2018) in New Zealand? We've documented 5 known faults for this model spanning electrical, engine, brakes, and interior. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.

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  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

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5

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$0–$4,000

Typical repair

4

Systems covered

Which Ferrari LaFerrari are you looking at?

1 generation variant documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Which engine is in it? These cover every year of this model.

6.3 V12 hybrid· 6.3 litre hybrid

Start your free check on this Ferrari LaFerrari

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Ferrari LaFerrari

Free. The paid plate check is separate, and stays optional.

Likely — same engine family

Ferrari LaFerrari

Narrowed by capacity and fuel. No engine code is recorded for this option, so a fault specific to one engine of that size cannot be confirmed from it.

Matched on capacity and fuel, not on an engine code.

matched on 6.3L engine

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Ferrari LaFerrari before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Serious issue

    Ask for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number and confirm the brake fluid reservoir cap campaign is complete.

    See why

    Brake fluid reservoir cap recall — coupe and Aperta both (NHTSA 22V-536)

    The 2013–2015 LaFerrari and the 2017 LaFerrari Aperta are both in Ferrari's 2022 brake-reservoir campaign: the cap may not vent properly, creating a vacuum that draws brake fluid past the seals and can lead to a partial or total loss of braking. Dealers fit a new cap and load a software update that adds a low-fluid warning, free of charge. Confirm it against the chassis number. The cost shown is what the same work costs if the car turns out to be outside the campaign.

    What you would notice

    • No record of the brake reservoir cap recall
    • Brake fluid level dropping with no visible leak
    • Brake warning light
    • Soft or long brake pedal

    Typically $0–$600 to put right.

  • Serious issue

    Ask for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number and confirm the driver's airbag campaign is complete.

    See why

    Driver's airbag that could deploy rotated — the 2015 recall (NHTSA 15V-433)

    In 2015 Ferrari recalled the LaFerrari alongside the F12berlinetta because the driver's airbag module could have been assembled with the cushion rotated inside it, and insufficient gluing of the leather on the airbag cover; in a crash the airbag could deploy in a rotated orientation and injure rather than protect the driver. Dealers replaced the module free of charge. It is a small campaign on a small production run, and it belongs in the paperwork. The cost shown is what the same work costs if the car turns out to be outside the campaign.

    What you would notice

    • No record of the driver's airbag recall on a 2014–2015 car
    • Airbag warning light staying on
    • Leather on the steering-wheel airbag cover lifting at the edges

    Typically $0–$6,000 to put right.

  • Serious issue

    Smell around the rear of the car before and after the drive for fuel.

    See why

    Aperta fuel vapour separator recall — a cracked weld and a fuel leak (NHTSA 19V-090)

    The 2017 LaFerrari Aperta was caught by the same fuel vapour separator campaign as the 488, 812 and GTC4Lusso: a badly made weld on the separator could crack and leak fuel, which with an ignition source is a fire. The recall began in June 2019 and the fix is a replacement separator at a dealer, free of charge. On an Aperta, any fuel smell is a stop until this is proven done. The cost shown is what the same work costs if the car turns out to be outside the campaign.

    What you would notice

    • Fuel smell around the car
    • No record of the fuel vapour separator recall on an Aperta
    • Check-engine light for an evaporative emissions code

    Typically $0–$4,000 to put right.

See all 5 documented issuesEverything researched for the Ferrari LaFerrari, including 4 rated critical.
Engine, transmission & cooling1 critical1

01Aperta fuel vapour separator recall — a cracked weld and a fuel leak (NHTSA 19V-090)

Smell around the rear of the car before and after the drive for fuel.hybrid2017–2018Engine
RareEngine $0–$4,000 to fix

The 2017 LaFerrari Aperta was caught by the same fuel vapour separator campaign as the 488, 812 and GTC4Lusso: a badly made weld on the separator could crack and leak fuel, which with an ignition source is a fire. The recall began in June 2019 and the fix is a replacement separator at a dealer, free of charge. On an Aperta, any fuel smell is a stop until this is proven done. The cost shown is what the same work costs if the car turns out to be outside the campaign.

Symptoms to notice

  • Fuel smell around the car
  • No record of the fuel vapour separator recall on an Aperta
  • Check-engine light for an evaporative emissions code

What to check

  1. Smell around the rear of the car before and after the drive for fuel.
  2. Ask for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number and confirm the fuel vapour separator campaign is complete.
  3. Watch for a check-engine light.

Where to look: Fuel vapour separator on the fuel tank system

Ask the seller

  • “Has the fuel vapour separator recall been completed?”
  • “Has there ever been a fuel smell around the car?”
Electrical2 critical2

02HY-KERS hybrid battery failure — a six-figure replacement, or a cell-level repair

The LaFerrari's hybrid battery pack is the single biggest risk in owning one.hybrid2013–2018Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $30,000–$550,000 to fix

The LaFerrari's hybrid battery pack is the single biggest risk in owning one. Of 499 coupes built, a Croatian EV specialist has had eleven through its workshop with failed packs, one at only 1,440 km, and found both cell defects and a manufacturing assembly defect inside — the fault codes are P1A93 and P1B93. Ferrari's answer is a complete new pack, quoted at around €180,000–200,000 and reported as high as €320,000; the specialist alternative is to diagnose and replace the failed cells for a fraction of that. A car that sits for long spells is more exposed, and a LaFerrari with a hybrid fault will not run properly until it is fixed.

Symptoms to notice

  • Hybrid system fault or 'KERS' warning on the dash
  • Fault codes P1A93 or P1B93 recorded by a dealer
  • Car refusing to start or dropping into limp mode
  • Long periods parked without the battery being conditioned
  • Reduced electric boost or the engine running without hybrid assistance

What to check

  1. Ask for the most recent dealer health report on the hybrid battery and for every fault code the car has ever logged — a seller of a car at this level will have them.
  2. Ask how the car has been stored, whether it has ever shown a hybrid or KERS warning, and whether the battery pack has ever been repaired or replaced and by whom.
  3. Switch on and read every message, and on the drive confirm the electric boost is there under full throttle and that no hybrid warning appears.

Where to look: High-voltage hybrid battery pack in the floor of the chassis tub; hybrid control electronics

Ask the seller

  • “Can I see the latest hybrid battery health report and the fault-code history?”
  • “Has the battery pack ever been repaired or replaced?”
  • “How is the car stored between drives?”

03Driver's airbag that could deploy rotated — the 2015 recall (NHTSA 15V-433)

Ask for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number and confirm the driver's airbag campaign is complete.hybrid2014–2015Electrical
RareElectrical $0–$6,000 to fix

In 2015 Ferrari recalled the LaFerrari alongside the F12berlinetta because the driver's airbag module could have been assembled with the cushion rotated inside it, and insufficient gluing of the leather on the airbag cover; in a crash the airbag could deploy in a rotated orientation and injure rather than protect the driver. Dealers replaced the module free of charge. It is a small campaign on a small production run, and it belongs in the paperwork. The cost shown is what the same work costs if the car turns out to be outside the campaign.

Symptoms to notice

  • No record of the driver's airbag recall on a 2014–2015 car
  • Airbag warning light staying on
  • Leather on the steering-wheel airbag cover lifting at the edges

What to check

  1. Ask for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number and confirm the driver's airbag campaign is complete.
  2. Turn the key and watch the airbag warning light come on and go out.
  3. Look at the leather on the steering-wheel airbag cover for lifting at the edges.

Where to look: Driver's airbag module in the steering wheel

Ask the seller

  • “Was the driver's airbag recall completed on this car?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1 critical2

04Brake fluid reservoir cap recall — coupe and Aperta both (NHTSA 22V-536)

Ask for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number and confirm the brake fluid reservoir cap campaign is complete.hybrid2013–2018Brakes
OccasionalBrakes $0–$600 to fix

The 2013–2015 LaFerrari and the 2017 LaFerrari Aperta are both in Ferrari's 2022 brake-reservoir campaign: the cap may not vent properly, creating a vacuum that draws brake fluid past the seals and can lead to a partial or total loss of braking. Dealers fit a new cap and load a software update that adds a low-fluid warning, free of charge. Confirm it against the chassis number. The cost shown is what the same work costs if the car turns out to be outside the campaign.

Symptoms to notice

  • No record of the brake reservoir cap recall
  • Brake fluid level dropping with no visible leak
  • Brake warning light
  • Soft or long brake pedal

What to check

  1. Ask for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number and confirm the brake fluid reservoir cap campaign is complete.
  2. Look at the brake fluid reservoir level with the car cold.
  3. With the engine running, press the brake pedal hard and hold it, feeling for it to sink.

Where to look: Brake fluid reservoir and cap

Ask the seller

  • “Has the brake fluid reservoir cap recall been completed?”

05Headrest recall — L32 seats that could not absorb enough energy (NHTSA 15V-305)

hybrid2014–2015Interior
RareInterior $0–$3,000 to fix

LaFerraris built between May 2014 and March 2015 with the L32 seat had headrests that did not absorb the required amount of energy in an impact, and Ferrari recalled them in July 2015 to fit new headrests free of charge. The seats on a LaFerrari are fitted to the driver, so the paperwork on which seat the car has and whether the campaign was done is worth a question. The cost shown is what the same work costs if the car turns out to be outside the campaign.

Symptoms to notice

  • No record of the headrest recall on a 2014–2015 car with L32 seats
  • Original headrests still fitted

What to check

Ask which seat size the car was built with and whether the headrest campaign was completed, and look for it in the dealer's recall history against the chassis number.

Where to look: Headrests on the L32 seats

Ask the seller

  • “Which seats is the car built with, and was the headrest recall done?”

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Ferrari LaFerrari’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Ferrari models

Ferrari 4589 documented faultsFerrari 3607 documented faultsFerrari F4307 documented faultsFerrari Portofino5 documented faultsFerrari 4886 documented faultsFerrari California6 documented faults

Ferrari LaFerrari buyer questions

Is the Ferrari LaFerrari reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 5 documented faults for the Ferrari LaFerrari, the recurring problem areas are electrical, engine, and brakes. A Ferrari LaFerrari with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Ferrari LaFerrari?

We've catalogued 5 known faults for the Ferrari LaFerrari, covering electrical, engine, and brakes. All 5 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Ferrari LaFerrari?

Most single repairs on the Ferrari LaFerrari fall between $0–$4,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 5 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Ferrari LaFerrari?

Yes. A Ferrari LaFerrari inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.