The Ferrari 550 Maranello spans 1997–2001 with 5 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2001, 2000, 1999 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1997, 1998, 1999. It delivers up to 11 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Ferrari 550 Maranello is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1997 to 2001 across multiple generations.
How to read a Ferrari 550 Maranello VIN — every digit explained
Every Ferrari 550 Maranello carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Ferrari and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 550 Maranello.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your 550 Maranello VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Ferrari 550 Maranello have?
The Ferrari 550 Maranello has 5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1997–2001. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello recalls 2
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the transmission oil lines to the oil cooler may not have been manufactured properly. The lines could become disconnected from the metal fitting and leak oil. If the lines leak oil, insufficient lubrication to the transmission could result. If this condition was to exist, the vehicle's transmission could become inoperative.
Risk. If the transmission became inoperative while the customer was driving, it could pose a potential safety risk to the driver as well as other vehicles and potentially result in damage to the vehicle or property, and a crash without warning.
Fix. Dealers will replace the two existing transmission oil lines to the cooler with new lines which have a properly crimped metal fitting connector. Owner notification began on june 4, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
Parking Brake
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The hand brake ratchet mechanism did not receive the proper hardness treatment of the ratchet teeth. As a result, the ratchet teeth could become damaged.
Risk. If the ratchet mechanism teeth become damaged, failure of the hand brake to operate as expected would result. If the problem existed and the vehicle's use was continued, it would be possible that the hand brake would not function and could result in damage to the vehicle or property.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the production code of the ratchet mechanism and, if necessary, replace the hand brake ratchet mechanism. Owner notification began july 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ferrari at 1-201-816-2600.
1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello recalls 1
Wheels
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The wheel bolt inserts fitted in the magnesium wheel can show signs of cracking.
Risk. If the wheel bolt inserts begin to crack, a reduction of the torque applied to the wheel would result. Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace all four magnesium wheels with wheels made of aluminum, which are not fitted with inserts. All the wheel bolts will also be replaced because the aluminum wheels require a different type of bolt. Owner notification began october 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello recalls 1
Wheels
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The wheel bolt inserts fitted in the magnesium wheel can show signs of cracking.
Risk. If the wheel bolt inserts begin to crack, a reduction of the torque applied to the wheel would result. Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace all four magnesium wheels with wheels made of aluminum, which are not fitted with inserts. All the wheel bolts will also be replaced because the aluminum wheels require a different type of bolt. Owner notification began october 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello recalls 1
Wheels
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The wheel bolt inserts fitted in the magnesium wheel can show signs of cracking.
Risk. If the wheel bolt inserts begin to crack, a reduction of the torque applied to the wheel would result. Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace all four magnesium wheels with wheels made of aluminum, which are not fitted with inserts. All the wheel bolts will also be replaced because the aluminum wheels require a different type of bolt. Owner notification began october 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ferrari at 1-201-816-2651.
Best and worst years for the Ferrari 550 Maranello
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 2001, 2000, 1999 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1997, 1998, 1999.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 550 Maranello | — | Best | |
| 1998 550 Maranello | — | Best | |
| 1999 550 Maranello | — | Avoid | |
| 2000 550 Maranello | — | Avoid | |
| 2001 550 Maranello | Fuel/propulsion System | Avoid |
What are the most common Ferrari 550 Maranello problems?
The most-reported Ferrari 550 Maranello problems are Fuel/propulsion System (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Fuel/propulsion System 1 Read
The charcoal canister vapor trap can malfunction and fill with gasoline. This happened once with the prior owner (02/06/2008) and twice with us (10/31/2016). One of these malfunctions was at the dealership after they had replaced the charcoal canister vapor trap, drove the vehicle and it filled with gasoline. They replaced the charcoal canister vapor trap again. This causes total undrivability because of overwhelming raw fuel smell and the fear of fire.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Ferrari 550 Maranello specifications & dimensions
The 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello measures 179″ long on a 98″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,726 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Wheelbase | 98″ (250 cm) |
| Body / trim | F550 Maranello 2dr Coupe |
| Curb weight | 3,726 lb (1690 kg) |
| Overall width | 76″ (194 cm) |
| Overall height | 50″ (128 cm) |
| Overall length | 179″ (455 cm) |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Ferrari 550 Maranello cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 550 Maranello holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 87 cu ft of passenger volume and 7 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Ferrari 550 Maranello tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Ferrari 550 Maranello get?
The Ferrari 550 Maranello returns up to 11 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine. Pick an engine to see its city / highway / combined rating by year:
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 550 Maranello | 9 | 15 | 5.5L 12-cyl | |
| 1998 550 Maranello | 8 | 14 | 5.5L 12-cyl | |
| 1999 550 Maranello | 8 | 13 | 5.5L 12-cyl | |
| 2000 550 Maranello | 8 | 12 | 5.5L 12-cyl | |
| 2001 550 Maranello | 8 | 12 | 5.5L 12-cyl |
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov — best combined rating per engine & year. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
What engines does the Ferrari 550 Maranello have? Power & range
The Ferrari 550 Maranello is offered with 1 powertrain — 5.5L 12-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.5L · 12-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Ferrari 550 Maranello cost to own?
A Ferrari 550 Maranello depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 550 Maranello loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — ≈ $35,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 550 Maranello ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Ferrari 550 Maranello safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 550 Maranello yet.
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How many miles does a Ferrari 550 Maranello last?
A well-maintained Ferrari 550 Maranello typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Decode your Ferrari 550 Maranello’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Ferrari 550 Maranello model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Ferrari 550 Maranello — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 550 Maranello | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2000 550 Maranello | 0 | — | |
| 1999 550 Maranello | 1 recall | — | |
| 1998 550 Maranello | 1 recall | — | |
| 1997 550 Maranello | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 550 Maranello?
By owner-complaint volume, 2001, 2000, 1999 drew the most reports. 1997, 1998, 1999 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 550 Maranello have?
5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1997–2001. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the 550 Maranello get?
Up to 11 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 550 Maranello last?
A well-maintained 550 Maranello typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 550 Maranello reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 550 Maranello is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Ferrari 550 Maranello warranty?
New Ferrari models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Ferrari dealer.
Where is the Ferrari 550 Maranello made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 550 Maranello's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Ferrari may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a 550 Maranello weigh?
The 550 Maranello's curb weight is around 3,726 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the 550 Maranello have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.