MASERATI IS RECALLING 7,912 MY 2008 GRAN TURISMO, QUATTROPORTE

Jan 06, 2009 — Recall Campaign #09V001000

MASERATI IS RECALLING 7,912 MY 2008 GRAN TURISMO, QUATTROPORTE, AND ALFA ROMEO VEHICLES. INCORRECTLY TORQUED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT NUTS MAY CAUSE THE BALL JOINT NUTS TO LOOSEN.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 7,912 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

09V001000

Manufacturer:	Maserati North America, Inc.
Recall date:	January 06, 2009
NHTSA Campaign #:	09V001000
Units affected:	7,912

Description:: MASERATI IS RECALLING 7,912 MY 2008 GRAN TURISMO, QUATTROPORTE, AND ALFA ROMEO VEHICLES. INCORRECTLY TORQUED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT NUTS MAY CAUSE THE BALL JOINT NUTS TO LOOSEN.
Consequeces:: IN TIME, THIS COULD LEAD TO NOISE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION, AND FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD RESULTING IN DAMAGE OR SEPARATION OF THE SUSPENSION ARM. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF THE FRONT/REAR UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT NUTS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SUSPENSION ARMS AND HUB CARRIER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.
Notes:: MASERATI RECALL NO. 183.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Affects the following:

2005 MASERATI QUATTROPORTES Complaints
INCIDENT: 2005 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE. ENGINE DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON FREEWAY RENDERING CAR INOPERABLE. LACK OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ALMOST CAUSED MAJOR ACCIDENT. FAULT: FAILURE OF F1 HYDRAULIC PUMP WHICH CONTROLS TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE OF THIS PUMP IS A KNOWN ISSUE (HTTP://WWW.MASERATILIFE.COM/FORUMS/) FIRST PUMP REPLACED AT 7,000 MILES AFTER FIRST FAILURE UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. THIS PUMP FAILED AT 13,000 MILES, I.E. 6,000 MILES AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED BY OWNER AT HIS EXPENSE. PART IS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING. *TR;
2008 ALFA ROMEO 8C Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA N/A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND SHUT-OFF WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NYLE MAXWELL ALFA ROMEO OF AUSTIN LOCATED AT 13049 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78750 HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. INVALID VIN.;
2008 MASERATI GRANTURISMO Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MASERATI GRANTURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERRARI OF LONG ISLAND (65 S SERVICE RD SUITE A, PLAINVIEW, NY 11803, (516) 665-1665), BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,250.;
2008 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE Complaints
THE MASERATI 4.2L ENGINE USED IN THE EARLY 2000S THROUGH EARLY 2009 HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH PERCENTAGE THAT HAVE AN ENGINE FAULT (CAM VARIATOR) THAT REQUIRES REPAIR. MASERATI NORTH AMERICA KNOWS OF THE ISSUE, HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL REPAIR BULLETIN, BUT NEVER TOOK RESPONSIBILITY TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE CASE IS A FAULTY DESIGN AS OIL FLOW DRAINS BACK TO THE SUMP WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. THIS RESULTS IN INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE REQUIRING A REPAIR THAT IS IN THE $4,000+ RANGE AT A MASERATI DEALER. LIKE MENTIONED, THIS A KNOWN ISSUE BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY ARE YET TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS.;