458/488 Brake Recall

I have a funny feeling that the light shut off because removing the battery cable reset the date and time. Did you set the clock after restoring power, and the wrench stayed off? If so, I wish I knew that. I spent $600 on my tool to clear that wrench!

 

Intellect? Check your mirror.

 

I do not remember but my green wrench is on now. I'm waiting on some parts to make a repair so I will check once I have my car back on the road.

 

On May 26 I took delivery of my 2018 488GTB with 12K miles. The annual service had just been done the week before. On my first real drive in it the BRAKE warning light came on so I pulled into a parking lot. The brakes seemed fine but I wanted to be cautious. When I stopped in the lot the pedal went half way to the floor but I was able to pump it up with a few strokes. The next time it went to the floor with no resistance and there was a little hissing sound from the engine bay. The time after that there was still no resistance and a sound like an air bellows functioning was heard. Low Brake Fluid warning came on.

Flatbedded car back to dealer and they are replacing the master cylinder and booster. If the seal between the master cyl and booster fails the brake fluid is sucked into the booster until there is no fluid in the cylinder reservoir or cylinder. Then you have zero brakes.

You don't know what you are talking about

 

While you may have suffered an anomaly, the fact remains that Ferrari did not do a recall to replace the master cylinder and booster and all it did was reset the software for the gauge and put a new cap on it. In fact, I have not heard one case where those parts were replaced. Perhaps your problem was separate from what was previously reported. I do not pretend to know what I am talking about, I simply observe and intuitively draw conclusions that are perhaps very accurate. GL with your problem. Things that are mechanical, as my mechanic would say, they can and do have problems.

 

Nice back pedal. The fact of the matter is the recall of the reservoir cap is to prevent failure of the master cylinder and booster. If they have already failed, then they will be replaced as part of the recall. The recall paperwork even states if a customer has had to replace theirs previously due to such a failure, Ferrari will reimburse for the work when provided the appropriate documentation.

 

Show proof that even one master/booster were replaced. If that were the case, people would be up in arms that "theirs" wasn't replaced. People as a rule have no idea about mechanical function. I am done with this topic.

 

I have learned over the years on here to always trust anything SD455 says. And he’s also correct on this topic.


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Thank you, I have no ax to grind, only to say what I believe to be true. Can't lie as I would never want to remember them. You Sir, are very talented and I enjoy checking you out. Glad to have just checked in, have a great weekend.

 

Thank you buddy


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10:28 08SEP21 16:36 24SEP21

LINE OPCODE TECH TYPE HOURS LIST NET TOTAL

A CUSTOMER STATES THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION. LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT IS

ON DASH

CAUSE: E

15FEZZ8 DEFAULT

1458 WF (N/C)

1 4900-1 SERVICE BRAKE FLUID D4 (N/C)

1 244010 2EA BRAKE SERVO COMPL. WITH PUMP (N/C)

FC: PART#: 4900-1 COUNT: 1

CLAIM TYPE:

AUTH CODE:

PARTS: 0.00 LABOR: 0.00 OTHER: 0.00 TOTAL LINE A: 0.00

No fluid found in reservoir, scanned in and checked for codes, none

found. Checked for leaks, no external leaks found, removed luggage

compartment and checked booster, found fluid in booster. Removed and

replaced booster/master servo assembly. Checked labor tree on labor op

for booster and found bleeding not included. Performed brake bleed

multiple times using DEIS to get all air out of system. Checked

operation of brakes, noted that brake light was illuminated all the

time. Removed brake switch and pulled plunger to perform length

calibration due to booster replacement. Brake lights operated normally.

Test drove vehicle and scanned out. No further issues noted at this

time.

****************************************************

B CUSTOMER REQUEST ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE - VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER

11FEZ008 DEFAULT

999 WF (N/C)

PARTS: 0.00 LABOR: 0.00 OTHER: 0.00 TOTAL LINE B: 0.00

 

IMO you were one of the unlucky few that this happened to.

Fact is that when Ferrari did the alarm settings it is obvious they didn't have the right trigger value to warn you that the fluid level is below the minimum amount that would not create issues.

On the recall Ferrari has changed to reservoir cap and recalibrated the setting to a lower figure. This to prevent what you have experience. In other words an alarm and take to dealer but still have fully functioning breaks.

Does this mean that there are issues with the master cylinder ? I dont know however Ferrari has addressed it with the resetting.

You my friend has bought a second hand car. Were you aware of this issue? Did you check this recall was done ?

IMO no you dont know or else you would have done the recall ? And not gone through this drama.

BUYER BE WARE buying second hand cars.

 

I think Ferrari replaces them provided the owner is still alive and didnt die from the brake failure. Most likely because the booster is full of oil. One here one there I dont believe they will refrain from changing it. Every car , no way as it would cost MILLIONS.

 

As I said most likely your booster was full oil fluid. It was and replaced.

Cars that just has the recall done they would have been check and if good , a cap change , a software update and your good to go. No need for a whole master brake and booster replaced.

So tell me Hopeful , second hand car ? Probably is . If not did you do the recall ?

 

The real issue is that there could be a few master cylinders that are faulty , hey its a man made part. The low level was set up too low from Ferrari. Most likely a Bosch recommendation. Obviously the level was too low. A few brake failures and lets reset the level. Thats the fix

The cap was just a salesman response.

You ever cleaned out a booster full of brake Fluid ? I bet you haven't. Easier to replace the parts.

 

Got a brief warning this evening and turned off. Brake fluid low. Tow to dealer.

I drove home. No squishy pedal or anything weird.

 

With the recall that's what Ferrari did. Change the cap, well i believe that was BS but more importantly increase the level at where the car would inform you, you have lost brake fluid.

The setting that was originally on the car seemed to be too low creating issues like no brakes.

Just filling the reservoir without looking deep into it would be a mistake.

You need to find out if you have an issue. You post likely have a faulty actuator that is leaking and the fluid filling up in the booster

Get them to check.

Your car would be out of Warrantee however if you need replacements I would argue the point given that Ferrari cited an issue of great concern and had a recall.

IMO there are a couple of faulty items , thats life . However to replace all of them it would have cost millions. Best approach change the cap ( BS ) and lower the level at which you would get a warning. That way so as to avoid any crash because of no brakes.

Given that Ferrari had a recall on this it would be remiss of everyone not checking regularly. If the level is moving, you have an issue.

 

In the USA, it is a full on recall. Recalls do not expire. Any issue with the brake master cylinder/booster will be covered, both parts and labor.

 

What does this statement mean? Are cars being recalled again with a different solution?

 

No, they are currently replacing the reservoir cap and software, but the recall also states any master cylinder/booster failure related to this will be covered under the recall. And previously replaced master cylinder/boosters will be reimbursed as well with proper documentation.

 

Given this happened well over a year ago and is a mandatory safety recall, I would have thought all cars would now have had the new reservoir cap replaced as part of an annual service. Anything that is being done now to cars would surely be different?

 

Why would they be. The car if you know it isnt your standard car. Most likely never had the recall done.

Ferrari knows there is an issue with some of them. But rather than replace all the units its a change by fail attitude.

 

Many owners do not use the dealer service network. Some owners may not be aware of the recall. Some, for whatever reason, may chose not to have the recall performed.

 

Most of the 488-F8 owners I see and speak with at a few car events never know about this recall. They are the 2-3-4-5-6-7th owner and get service done at an independent shop rather than our local Ferrari dealer and it never comes up. Ferrari for sure is not researching and tracking down owners. Ferrari really could careless about this.

 

I would disagree that Ferrari could care less. Though I have not used my local dealership service department in a few years, they specifically called and emailed me to remind me of the recall and requested I schedule an appointment for what they promised would be a relatively brief time. This was a couple years ago I believe, and it was a quick process...I was in and out in 30 or 40 minutes. But on the 430 Scuderia no software updates are required. Just the cap and a brief inspection.