The Maserati Biturbo spans 1981–1991 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 19 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 Maserati Biturbo is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1991 across multiple generations.
How to read a Maserati Biturbo VIN — every digit explained
Every Maserati Biturbo 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 Maserati and the country it was built in (real Maserati codes below).
- 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 Biturbo.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- ItalyZAM · ZC2 · ZN6
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Biturbo, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Maserati Biturbo have?
The Maserati Biturbo has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1991. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1985 Maserati Biturbo recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System
What's wrong. MISUSE OF CARBURETOR CHOKE COULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.
Risk. EXCESSIVE HEAT CAN RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE TO CAR EXTERIORAND INTERIOR MATERIALS WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Fix. INSTALL A KIT WHICH WILL REDUCE EXHAUST SYSTEM TEMPERATURES TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MASERATI AT 1-877.696.2737.
1984 Maserati Biturbo recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System
What's wrong. MISUSE OF CARBURETOR CHOKE COULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.
Risk. EXCESSIVE HEAT CAN RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE TO CAR EXTERIORAND INTERIOR MATERIALS WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Fix. INSTALL A KIT WHICH WILL REDUCE EXHAUST SYSTEM TEMPERATURES TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MASERATI AT 1-877.696.2737.
Best and worst years for the Maserati Biturbo
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Maserati Biturbo — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Maserati Biturbo problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Maserati Biturbo — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Maserati Biturbo specifications & dimensions
The 1991 Maserati Biturbo. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Maserati Biturbo window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Maserati Biturbo cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Biturbo holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 72 cu ft of passenger volume and 14 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 — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Maserati Biturbo 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 Maserati Biturbo get?
The Maserati Biturbo returns up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,050/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1991 Maserati Biturbo (2.8L 6-cyl) gets 14 mpg combined and costs about $5,500/yr to fuel, emitting 635 g/mi CO₂ — about $16,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Biturbo | 13 | 16 | $5,500 | 635 | — | 2.8L 6-cyl | |
| 1990 Biturbo | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 2.8L 6-cyl | |
| 1989 Biturbo | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 2.8L 6-cyl | |
| 1987 Biturbo | 12 | 16 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1986 Biturbo | 12 | 14 | $4,800 | 684 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1985 Biturbo | 12 | 17 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1984 Biturbo | 12 | 18 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl |
The 1988 Maserati Biturbo (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 19 mpg combined and costs about $4,050/yr to fuel, emitting 468 g/mi CO₂ — about $9,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Biturbo | 17 | 22 | $4,050 | 468 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Biturbo stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Biturbo's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Maserati Biturbo have? Power & range
The Maserati Biturbo is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.8L 6-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.8L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | FWD | 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 Maserati Biturbo cost to own?
A Maserati Biturbo tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used Biturbo is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Biturbo loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $20,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Biturbo 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 Maserati Biturbo safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Biturbo yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Maserati Biturbo last?
A well-maintained Maserati Biturbo 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.
Check your Maserati Biturbo’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Biturbo’s VIN free →All Maserati Biturbo model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Maserati Biturbo — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1990 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1989 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1988 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1987 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Biturbo | 1 recall | — | |
| 1984 Biturbo | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1982 Biturbo | 0 | — | |
| 1981 Biturbo | 0 | — |
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 Biturbo?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Maserati Biturbo.
How many recalls does the Biturbo have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1991. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Maserati recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Biturbo get?
Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Biturbo last?
A well-maintained Biturbo typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Biturbo reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Biturbo is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Maserati Biturbo warranty?
New Maserati 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 Maserati dealer.
Where is the Maserati Biturbo made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Biturbo's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Maserati may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Biturbo 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.