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2018 Ferrari 488 Spider maintenance schedule

The 2018 488 Spider is part of the Tipo F142M generation (2016-2019), sold as a spider. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2018 488 Spider needs, and when

Manufacturer rows link to Ferrari's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter (F154CB)

Yearly scheduled maintenance

12,500 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Cabin air filter (F154CB)

Included in Year 1 service

12,500 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Brake fluid (F154CB)12,500 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Engine coolant (F154CB)Inspect, replace as neededIndependent
Transmission fluid (F154CB)

Gear oil check / top off

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent
Spark plugs (F154CB)

Major service interval replacement

37,500 mi / 4 yearsIndependent
Serpentine belt (F154CB)

Auxiliary belt replacement

12,500 mi / 2 yearsIndependent

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
5W-40

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.9L (3902cc) 8-cyl (F154CB), 661 hp, 7-Speed Getrag DCT, RWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2018 488 Spider owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Turbocharger seal/shaft failure

high severity

25,000-50,000 mi · $6,000-$15,000 to fix

Blue smoke on startup, metallic whining

Source: carchecker.pro

DCT gearbox sensor and seal wear

high severity

20,000-50,000 mi · $3,000-$30,000 to fix

Delayed shifts, transmission warnings

Source: carchecker.pro

Sticky interior buttons

low severity

10,000-60,000 mi · $2,000-$7,000 to fix

Tacky, melting soft-touch rubber

Source: carchecker.pro

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA recalls for the 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Ferrari dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA 21V833000

October 2021

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.

Remedy: 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

NHTSA 19V411000

June 2019

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.

Remedy: 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

NHTSA 19V090000

February 2019

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.

Remedy: 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

NHTSA 19V006000

January 2019

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.

Remedy: 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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$1,500

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other 488 Spider model years

Tipo F142M (2016-2019)

2016201720182019

Shopping new? The Ferrari 488 Spider guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a 488 Spider for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2018 488 Spider earns before you buy it.

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