Ferrari North America has issued a recall for certain California and 458 Italia supercars, which have been equipped with defective airbag inflators, supplied by Takata Motor Corp.
The inflators, assembled as part of the passenger frontal airbag modules, could rupture in the event of a crash, sending pieces of metal towards the occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death, due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to temperature cycling and absolute humidity.
Owners of the 2009-2011 California, made between February 16, 2009, and July 8, 2011, and 2010-2011 458 Italia built from March 5, 2010, to July 29, 2011, will be contacted by Ferrari and an appointment with a local dealer will be made to replace the front passenger airbag assembly, free of charge. An exact notification schedule has yet to be provided, but concerned owners may contact Ferrari’s customer service at 1-856-551-2828 or the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The latest safety campaign, conducted by the Prancing Horse, joins the massive number of recalled vehicles from numerous manufacturers that suffer from the same condition. Globally, the shrapnel-spreading airbags have claimed 13 lives and more than 100 people have been injured.
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