Ferrari Faces Legal Challenge Over Alleged Brake Defects in Sports Cars

Ferrari is under legal scrutiny as a class-action lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of California alleges that the automaker did not properly address a brake defect, compromising driver safety. The plaintiff, Iliya Nechev, who owns a 2010 458 Italia, claims to have experienced brake problems from the moment he purchased the car in 2020, including a frightening incident where the car failed to slow down on a downhill turn.

Ferrari had initiated a voluntary recall in October 2021 for models including the 458 Italia, 458 Speciale, and 488 GTB among others, citing a risk of brake fluid leakage that could lead to a loss of braking power. Despite identifying a flawed fluid reservoir cap as a potential cause and issuing a second recall in 2022 affecting a wider range of models, the lawsuit contends that the problem requires replacing the master cylinder—a measure Ferrari has not taken.

The lawsuit further accuses Ferrari of failing to disclose the full extent of the defect to customers. Nechev seeks to hold Ferrari North America, Inc., Ferrari S.P.A., and component manufacturers Robert Bosch, LLC, and Robert Bosch GmbH accountable for the alleged oversight. Filed on March 18, 2024, by plaintiff Iliya Nechev, the case has been assigned to Judge Jinsook Ohta and Magistrate Judge Michael S. Berg, emphasizing the severity of the allegations and the demand for a jury trial.

Ferrari, in response to inquiries, has stated that customer safety is their utmost priority and that they adhere to strict safety guidelines. The lawsuit underscores the tension between luxury automakers and the need for rigorous safety standards, especially when cutting-edge technology and high-performance capabilities are involved.