The Ferrari Testarossa spans 1985–2026 with 9 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1990, 1988, 1987 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1985, 1986, 1989. It delivers up to 14 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 Testarossa is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1985 to 2026 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a Ferrari Testarossa by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this Ferrari Testarossa — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a Ferrari Testarossa VIN — every digit explained
Every Ferrari Testarossa 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. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Testarossa.
- 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 Testarossa 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 Testarossa have?
The Ferrari Testarossa has 9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1991 Ferrari Testarossa recalls 2
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
What's wrong. The upper steering column locknut was manufactured with inferior materials and inferior self-locking properties.
Risk. The locknut can loosen, causing excessive play in thesteering system and impaired handling. This could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.
Fix. Replace locknut with an improved locknut.
Seat Belts
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the passive restraint system may not function correctly. Inconsistent electrical operation of the automatic track assembly has been experienced.
Risk. If the passive restraint system experiences an electrical or mechanical failure, the seat occupant would not be fully protected.
Fix. Dealers will replace all the main components of the passive seat belt system. This includes the electronic control units, the retractor mechanism, and both the right and left motor driven track assemblies. Owner notification began april 24, 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.
1990 Ferrari Testarossa recalls 2
Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
What's wrong. The upper steering column locknut was manufactured with inferior materials and inferior self-locking properties.
Risk. The locknut can loosen, causing excessive play in thesteering system and impaired handling. This could result in loss of vehiclecontrol and an accident.
Fix. Replace locknut with an improved locknut.
Seat Belts
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the passive restraint system may not function correctly. Inconsistent electrical operation of the automatic track assembly has been experienced.
Risk. If the passive restraint system experiences an electrical or mechanical failure, the seat occupant would not be fully protected.
Fix. Dealers will replace all the main components of the passive seat belt system. This includes the electronic control units, the retractor mechanism, and both the right and left motor driven track assemblies. Owner notification began april 24, 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.
1989 Ferrari Testarossa recalls 1
Seat Belts
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the passive restraint system may not function correctly. Inconsistent electrical operation of the automatic track assembly has been experienced.
Risk. If the passive restraint system experiences an electrical or mechanical failure, the seat occupant would not be fully protected.
Fix. Dealers will replace all the main components of the passive seat belt system. This includes the electronic control units, the retractor mechanism, and both the right and left motor driven track assemblies. Owner notification began april 24, 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.
1988 Ferrari Testarossa recalls 2
Seat Belts
What's wrong. Automatic passive restraint system may not operate due to a payout motor defect in the safety belt retractor assembly.
Risk. Automatic operation of passive restraint system wouldbecome intermittent or completely inoperative.
Fix. Replace seat belt assembly.
Seat Belts
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the passive restraint system may not function correctly. Inconsistent electrical operation of the automatic track assembly has been experienced.
Risk. If the passive restraint system experiences an electrical or mechanical failure, the seat occupant would not be fully protected.
Fix. Dealers will replace all the main components of the passive seat belt system. This includes the electronic control units, the retractor mechanism, and both the right and left motor driven track assemblies. Owner notification began april 24, 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.
1987 Ferrari Testarossa recalls 2
Seat Belts
What's wrong. Automatic passive restraint system may not operate due to a payout motor defect in the safety belt retractor assembly.
Risk. Automatic operation of passive restraint system wouldbecome intermittent or completely inoperative.
Fix. Replace seat belt assembly.
Seat Belts
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the passive restraint system may not function correctly. Inconsistent electrical operation of the automatic track assembly has been experienced.
Risk. If the passive restraint system experiences an electrical or mechanical failure, the seat occupant would not be fully protected.
Fix. Dealers will replace all the main components of the passive seat belt system. This includes the electronic control units, the retractor mechanism, and both the right and left motor driven track assemblies. Owner notification began april 24, 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.
Best and worst years for the Ferrari Testarossa
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 9 tracked years, the worst years are 1990, 1988, 1987 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1985, 1986, 1989.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Testarossa | 0 | — | Best |
| 1986 Testarossa | 0 | — | Best |
| 1987 Testarossa | 2 | Seat Belts | Avoid |
| 1988 Testarossa | 2 | Seat Belts | Avoid |
| 1989 Testarossa | 0 | — | Best |
| 1990 Testarossa | 2 | Seat Belts | Avoid |
| 1991 Testarossa | 1 | Service Brakes | Average |
| 1992 Testarossa | 0 | — | Average |
| 2026 Testarossa | 0 | — | Average |
What are the most common Ferrari Testarossa problems?
The most-reported Ferrari Testarossa problems are Seat Belts (5 reports), Service Brakes (1 reports) and Engine And Engine Cooling (1 reports) — out of 7 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:
Seat Belts 5 Read
The seat belt assembly was inoperative. At times it became extremely tight and did not release at other times it did not fully engage. Both situations were extremely dangerous. *tt *jb
The passive seat belt on passenger side broke down came apart on it's own, like dangling snake just hanging loosely. This was first fixed by ferrari recall on jun 9, 2003. It failed again. Ferrari refuses to warranty/pay for this. This happened when car was stationary at the ferrari dealer/shop in las vegas nv
The contact's son owns a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa. The contact stated that vehicle was manufactured with an electrical seat belt that would recline once an occupant was seated in either the driver’s or passenger’s side seat. The contact stated that the track for the passenger side seat belt was defective and would not recline with an occupant seated in the passenger’s seat. The seat belt warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V142000 (Seat Belts) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Dealership wants to charge consumer recall repair work. However, parts are not available.*ak. Consumer was informed that dealer would furnish the parts, however consumer would be responsible for the labor.*jb
Motorized seat belts failed prior to recall, consumer not notified of recall (88v-186). *ak
Service Brakes 1 Read
Absolutely freaking ridiculous that i can't buy ate super blue brake fluid. Because it's blue? Well, whoda thunk??? Figure out something more important to legislate into oblivion, like idiot drivers that make me use my super blue brake fluid that i now have to have someone buy in the eu and repackage it to send it to me here in the us - the land of the free (yeah right) and the home of the brave (unless it comes to the color of brake fluid!!!) find something more worthwhile to do, please!!! *tr
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
Spontaneous engine fire occurred while cruising at highway speed.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Ferrari Testarossa specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Ferrari Testarossa. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Ferrari Testarossa cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Testarossa holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 43 cu ft of passenger volume and 5 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 Testarossa 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 Testarossa get?
The Ferrari Testarossa returns up to 14 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine. Pick an engine to see its city / highway / combined rating by year:
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 Testarossa | 9 | 14 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 1986 Testarossa | 9 | 14 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 1987 Testarossa | 9 | 14 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 1988 Testarossa | 9 | 14 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 1989 Testarossa | 9 | 14 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 1990 Testarossa | 9 | 14 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 1991 Testarossa | 9 | 14 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 1992 Testarossa | 10 | 15 | 11 | 4.9L 12-cyl |
| 2026 Testarossa | 12 | 19 | 14 | 6.5L 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 Testarossa have? Power & range
The Ferrari Testarossa is offered with 1 powertrain — 6.5L 12-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 6.5L · 12-cyl | Automatic (AM8) | 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 Testarossa cost to own?
A Ferrari Testarossa 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% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 70% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 53% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 46% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Testarossa loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — ≈ $27,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Testarossa 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 Testarossa safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Testarossa yet.
How many miles does a Ferrari Testarossa last?
A well-maintained Ferrari Testarossa typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Decode your Ferrari Testarossa’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Ferrari Testarossa model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Ferrari Testarossa — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Testarossa | 0 | 14 mpg | — |
| 1992 Testarossa | 0 | 11 mpg | — |
| 1991 Testarossa | 2 recalls | 11 mpg | — |
| 1990 Testarossa | 2 recalls | 11 mpg | — |
| 1989 Testarossa | 1 recall | 11 mpg | — |
| 1988 Testarossa | 2 recalls | 11 mpg | — |
| 1987 Testarossa | 2 recalls | 11 mpg | — |
| 1986 Testarossa | 0 | 11 mpg | — |
| 1985 Testarossa | 0 | 11 mpg | — |
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 Testarossa?
By owner-complaint volume, 1990, 1988, 1987 drew the most reports. 1985, 1986, 1989 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Testarossa have?
9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Testarossa get?
Up to 14 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Testarossa last?
A well-maintained Testarossa typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Testarossa reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Testarossa is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Ferrari Testarossa 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 Testarossa made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Testarossa'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 ground clearance does the Testarossa 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.