In 2022, we reported that hybrid vehicles are more likely to suffer from issues that could lead to fire than internal combustion vehicles or EVs. Ferrari’s latest recall of 425 296 GTBs and GTSs is a good reminder of why.
In the latest hybrid supercar from the prancing horse, a design flaw makes the car prone to leaking fuel. That fault comes as a result of a chemical reaction caused by close contact between the fuel pipe and the battery cover.
Ferrari first became aware of the issue in early April, after a pre-delivery inspection with a customer in China found corrosion on the fuel tank connecting pipe. It immediately launched an investigation into the problem and, as a precautionary measure, started putting insulating material on the pipe.
Read: Ferrari Recalls Almost Every Car It Sold In The U.S. Since 2005
By May, it found that the corrosion was being caused by a chemical reaction as a result of unintended contact between the aluminum connecting pipe and the steel in the cover of the high-voltage battery.
Of course, that’s not really the battery’s fault, but it’s a fine reminder that, although hybrid systems offer advantages, their added complexity also means that there are more things that can go wrong.
In this case, fuel leaking near an ignition source could lead to a fire, so Ferrari is recalling a total of 425 296 GTBs and GTSs from the 2022-2023 model years. Fortunately, it is not yet aware of any fires, injuries, or deaths that have resulted from this production error. However, it is recommending that owners not drive their cars until the problem has been fixed.
In order to remedy the situation, Ferrari plans to start getting in touch with owners on July 7. They will be asked to return their vehicle to a certified technician, who will install a new connecting pipe that is equipped with an anti-corrosive rubber sleeve, which should help prevent the leak from happening.
