Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2014 Ferrari California
The 2014 Ferrari California is a high-performance vehicle with crucial recall concerns regarding airbag inflator defects and potential brake issues. Ensure these have been addressed to preserve safety and investment value.
Known issues to inspect
Airbag inflator defect
How to check: Verify airbag recall service history.
Hydraulic brake failure
How to check: Inspect brake system for pending recall fixes.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine sounds.
Red flag: Loud knocking or ticking noise.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent brake or airbag lights.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Test brakes for responsiveness and noise.
Red flag: Spongey feel or squealing brakes.
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Note stable acceleration response.
Red flag: Hesitation or stuttering when accelerating.
- 05
Smooth-road drive
What to check: Ensure steering is smooth and centered.
Red flag: Car pulls to one side.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag issue been fixed?
- Are there any outstanding recalls?
- Can you provide the service history?
- How long have you owned the car?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Airbag recall completion receipt
- Brake recall service record
- Full vehicle service history
- Title and registration
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/24/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2014 Ferrari California.