2017 Ferrari 488 Spider

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Ferrari 488 Spider
Pictured: 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB Spider S-A 3.9 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Two Seaters
Body styles
488 SPIDER
Engines
3.9L 8-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
Length
179.9 in
Curb weight
3,362 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider is a two seaters offered with a 3.9L 8-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 180 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,362 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 11% worse than the 2017 two seaters average of 20.3 MPG, for an estimated $4,550 a year in fuel.

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

It has 2 recall campaigns on file.

What changed for 2017

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 488 Spider — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 488 Spider →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
488 SPIDER179.9 in76.8 in47.6 in104.3 in66.1 / 65 in3,362 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
488 Spider3.9L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-11%$4,550501
488 Spider3.9L 8-cyl turboAutomatic (AM7)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-11%$4,550495
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $10,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.3 MPG2017 Two Seaters average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider.

Similar 2017 two seaterss

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Ferrari 488 Spider (this car)18 MPGNot rated2
2017 Ferrari 488 GTB18 MPGNot rated3
2017 Ferrari California T19 MPGNot rated3
2017 Lotus Evora20 MPGNot rated1
2017 Lamborghini Huracan17 MPGNot rated2
2017 McLaren Automotive 570S Coupe19 MPGNot rated0
2017 McLaren Automotive 570GT19 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (2)

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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V006000 · 11,176 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other 488 Spider years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 488 Spider18179.9 inNot rated20
2018 488 Spider18179.9 inNot rated41
2016 488 Spider18179.9 inNot rated30

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