TC

Maserati TC — MPG, VIN Decoder, Recalls, Reliability & Specs

Everything on the Maserati TC — 0 recalls, common problems, the best & worst years, full specs, MPG and NHTSA safety, by model year.

Data · NHTSA & EPA · 1981–1991 · 11 model years · Updated Jul 27, 2026 · Not yet rated
Quick answer

The Maserati TC spans 1981–1991 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 19 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.

Advertisement
1981–1991
Years
0
Recalls
19
Top MPG
—★
NHTSA
0
Complaints
Not yet rated
ForCar Reliability Score
Too new — not enough data yet

We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Maserati TC — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.

Overview

The Maserati TC is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1991 across multiple generations.

Advertisement

How to read a Maserati TC VIN — every digit explained

Every Maserati TC 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.

FIG.02·How to Read a Maserati TC VIN
1–3 · WMIZAM
4–8 · VDSCM826
9 · Check5
10 · YearR
11 · PlantA
12–17 · Serial004352
  • 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 TC.
  • Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Real Maserati WMIs — the first 3 VIN digits by build country
  • ItalyZAM · ZC2 · ZN6
17 CHARS·SOURCE SAE / ISO 3779 · NHTSA vPIC

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 TC, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.

How many recalls does the Maserati TC have?

The Maserati TC has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1991. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.

Advertisement

Best and worst years for the Maserati TC

We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Maserati TC — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.

Advertisement

What are the most common Maserati TC problems?

We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Maserati TC — 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 TC specifications & dimensions

The 1991 Maserati TC. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Maserati TC window sticker.

Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.

Advertisement

Maserati TC cargo space, seating & interior room

How much the TC 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.

72
Passenger ft³
14
Cargo ft³
86
Total interior ft³

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 TC 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.

Wheels & tires
Wheel sizeby VIN
Tire sizeby VIN
Bolt patternby trim
Tire pressure32–36 PSI
Engine oil
Oil typeFull synthetic
Gradeon oil cap
Capacityby engine
Battery
Main battery12V · group by trim
Key-fob cellCR2032
Wiper blades
Front bladesby generation
Rear bladeif equipped
Fuses
Fuse boxeshood + dash
Diagramon box lid
Light bulbs
Headlightby trim
Tail / brakeby trim
Fogif equipped

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.

Advertisement

What MPG does the Maserati TC get?

The Maserati TC 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 TC (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.

FIG.05a·Maserati TC MPG, CO₂ & smog — V6
YearCityHwyCombFuel/yrCO₂ g/miSmogEngine
1991 TC131614$5,5006352.8L 6-cyl
1990 TC141715$5,1505922.8L 6-cyl
1989 TC141715$5,1505922.8L 6-cyl
1987 TC121614$4,4506352.5L 6-cyl
1986 TC121413$4,8006842.5L 6-cyl
1985 TC121714$4,4506352.5L 6-cyl
1984 TC121814$4,4506352.5L 6-cyl
ROWS 7·SOURCE EPA (ForCar database)

The 1988 Maserati TC (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.

FIG.05b·Maserati TC MPG, CO₂ & smog — 4-cyl
YearCityHwyCombFuel/yrCO₂ g/miSmogEngine
1988 TC172219$4,0504682.2L 4-cyl
ROWS 1·SOURCE EPA (ForCar database)

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 TC stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this TC's real yearly fuel cost.

What engines does the Maserati TC have? Power & range

The Maserati TC is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.8L 6-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.

FIG.06·Maserati TC Powertrains
EngineDisplacementTransmissionDriveFuel
V62.8L · 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRWDPremium
4-cyl2.2L · 4-cylAutomatic 3-spdFWDPremium
ROWS 2·SOURCE EPA + NHTSA vPIC

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.

Advertisement

How much does a Maserati TC cost to own?

A Maserati TC 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 TC 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.

75%
Value @ 1 yr
53%
Value @ 3 yrs
37%
Value @ 5 yrs
$20,250
Est. 5-yr fuel
FIG.08·Maserati TC Depreciation & Resale
$
AgeValue retainedEst. resale valueLost to depreciation
Year 175%$22,500−$7,500
Year 263%$18,900−$11,100
Year 353%$15,900−$14,100
Year 444%$13,200−$16,800
Year 537%$11,100−$18,900
ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar estimate

What goes into the five-year cost to own:

  • Depreciation — the biggest cost: this TC 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 TC 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 TC safe?

NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the TC yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.

Upgrade to Pro

Tired of ads? Go Pro.

  • Zero ads — clean, fast pages
  • Exact mileage-adjusted car values
  • Full research reports + PDF
  • Market charts & price-drop alerts
  • …and much more
Free plan available — no credit card needed
Advertisement

How many miles does a Maserati TC last?

A well-maintained Maserati TC typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.

TC

Check your Maserati TC’s VIN — history, recalls & specs

Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.

Check this TC’s VIN free →

All Maserati TC model years

A year-by-year snapshot of the Maserati TC — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.

FIG.11·All Maserati TC Model Years
YearRecallsBest MPGSafety
1991 TC014 mpg
1990 TC015 mpg
1989 TC015 mpg
1988 TC019 mpg
1987 TC014 mpg
1986 TC013 mpg
1985 TC014 mpg
1984 TC014 mpg
1983 TC0
1982 TC0
1981 TC0
ROWS 11·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA

Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).

Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

What are the worst years for the TC?

We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Maserati TC.

How many recalls does the TC 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 TC get?

Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.

How many miles does a TC last?

A well-maintained TC typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.

Is the TC reliable?

We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Maserati TC — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.

What's the Maserati TC 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 TC made?

The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your TC'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 TC 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.

Data sourced from NHTSA (recalls, complaints, safety ratings) and EPA fueleconomy.gov (MPG). Best/worst-year analysis is ForCar's own aggregation of complaint volume. Last updated Jul 2026. — ForCar Editorial Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
Advertisement