Currently reading: Ferrari 458 fires explained
'Overheating glue' to blame, says firm - but it insists the problem has been solved

Ferrari North Europe has officially explained the fault that has caused five of the very earliest examples of its 458 supercar to catch fire.

"When the car is driven to high exhaust temperatures, in hot ambient temperatures, the adhesive used in the wheelarch assemblies can overheat and allow the rear wheel housing heat shields to move around. In extreme cases, the glue can begin to smoke and even catch fire," a Ferrari spokesperson told Autocar.

"It would only be a problem on cars driven very hard, and has only affected a handful of the 1248 458 Italias we've delivered so far – none in the UK,” our source confirmed.

Ferrari claims that the problem has been made to look more serious than it should because of unfortunate timing and innaccurate reporting. A new 458 was written off because of a warehouse fire recently, and others have been crashed, the firm says, causing some areas of the media to suggest the car is 'jinxed'.

Ferrari will recall all of the 458s delivered so far to fit new wheelarch liners, which will be attached more securely. It will also be replacing any cars that have been damaged as a result of the problem. All new 458s built now that Ferrari’s Maranello plant has re-opened after the summer shutdown will be rectified before they leave the factory.See all the latest Ferrari reviews, news and video

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Los Angeles 7 September 2010

Re: Ferrari explains 458 fires

testcase wrote:
are steel and plum still here? causing havoc as usual.
No. But Ferrari has a lot of catching up to do on the PR front over their new car's woes.

Personally, if an owner of a 458, my faith in the safety of the car would be truly shaken no matter the promised fix.

Steve A Steele 4 September 2010

Re: Ferrari explains 458 fires

OK.

Los Angeles 4 September 2010

Re: Ferrari explains 458 fires

Steve A Steele wrote:
I want the last word.
I have a feeling you won't get it, even if, assuredly, you reply to this post.