The Maserati Merak spans 1981–1991 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 19 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Maserati Merak — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Maserati Merak is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1991 across multiple generations.
How to read a Maserati Merak VIN — every digit explained
Every Maserati Merak 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 Merak.
- 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 Merak, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Maserati Merak have?
The Maserati Merak has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1991. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Maserati Merak
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Maserati Merak — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Maserati Merak problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Maserati Merak — 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 Merak specifications & dimensions
The 1981 Maserati Merak measures 180″ long on a 102″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,908 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Maserati Merak window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 180″ | 70″ | 44″ | 102″ | 2,908 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Maserati Merak cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Merak 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 Merak 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 Merak get?
The Maserati Merak 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 Merak (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 Merak | 13 | 16 | $5,500 | 635 | — | 2.8L 6-cyl | |
| 1990 Merak | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 2.8L 6-cyl | |
| 1989 Merak | 14 | 17 | $5,150 | 592 | — | 2.8L 6-cyl | |
| 1987 Merak | 12 | 16 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1986 Merak | 12 | 14 | $4,800 | 684 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1985 Merak | 12 | 17 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1984 Merak | 12 | 18 | $4,450 | 635 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl |
The 1988 Maserati Merak (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 Merak | 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 Merak stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Merak's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Maserati Merak have? Power & range
The Maserati Merak 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 Merak cost to own?
A Maserati Merak 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 Merak 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 Merak 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 Merak 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 Merak safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Merak yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Maserati Merak last?
A well-maintained Maserati Merak typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Maserati Merak’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Merak’s VIN free →All Maserati Merak model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Maserati Merak — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1990 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1989 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1988 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1987 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1984 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1983 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1982 Merak | 0 | — | |
| 1981 Merak | 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 Merak?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Maserati Merak.
How many recalls does the Merak have?
0 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 Merak get?
Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Merak last?
A well-maintained Merak typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Merak reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Maserati Merak — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Maserati Merak 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 Merak made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Merak'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 Merak 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.