2012 Ferrari 458 Italia

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Ferrari 458 Italia
Pictured: Ferrari 458 Fort Worth June 2016 56 (Ferrari) (cropped-2). Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Two Seaters
Body styles
2dr Coupe RWD
Engines
4.5L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
14 combined · 12 city / 18 hwy
Length
178.3 in
Curb weight
3,042 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 14 MPG combined, 32% below the 2012 two seaters average of 20.7 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia is a two seaters offered with a 4.5L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 178 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,042 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 14 MPG combined (12 city / 18 highway), 32% worse than the 2012 two seaters average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $5,850 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 458 Italia — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 458 Italia →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe RWD178.3 in76.4 in47.6 in104.3 in–3,042 lb42/58

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
458 Italia Coupe4.5L 8-cylAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-32%$5,850635
458 Italia Coupe4.5L 8-cylAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-32%$5,850635
458 Italia Spider4.5L 8-cylAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-32%$5,850635
458 Italia Spider4.5L 8-cylAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive12 / 18 / 14-32%$5,850635
Spend $17,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.7 MPG2012 Two Seaters average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia.

Similar 2012 two seaterss

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Ferrari 458 Italia (this car)14 MPGNot rated1
2012 Lamborghini Gallardo16 MPGNot rated1
2012 Ferrari California15 MPGNot rated2
2012 Lotus Evora23 MPGNot rated0
2012 McLaren Automotive MP4-12C Coupe18 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (1)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 23, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V833000 · 9,985 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Loss of braking ability increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

1Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
27,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Fuel/Propulsion System1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System — 1 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  3. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 27,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  4. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other 458 Italia years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2015 458 Italia15178.3 inNot rated21
2014 458 Italia15178.3 inNot rated20
2013 458 Italia15178.3 inNot rated10
2011 458 Italia14178.3 inNot rated41
2010 458 Italia14178.3 inNot rated43

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ferrari. How we calculate this →