The longstanding narrative of Ferraris and fiery incidents continues with the Ferrari F355 facing numerous recalls related to its fuel system, the Ferrari 360 Modena was prone to spontaneous combustion without official recalls, the F430 convertible encountered fire risks leading to recalls, and the 458 Italia made headlines for burning due to wheel well adhesive issues. Regrettably, the newly hybridized Ferrari 296 GTB is maintaining this fiery tradition and has been subject to a recall due to fire hazards.
A total of 425 Ferrari 296 GTB and 296 GTS models were recalled as a result of corroding aluminum fuel pipes. While aluminum typically resists corrosion, the problem arises when the pipe comes into contact with the steel of the high-voltage battery. Usually, aluminum forms a protective oxide layer that prevents corrosion. However, under electrical voltage, this layer can break down, facilitating corrosion. Hence, the unintended contact between the fuel-conveying aluminum and the electricity-shielding steel may be attributed to basic chemical interactions.
Ferrari
While Ferrari has not definitively confirmed this as the root cause, preventive measures were taken to address the contact issue before commencing the recall process. As reported by Carscoops, the problem came to Ferrari’s attention in early April during a pre-delivery check that uncovered the aforementioned corrosion. To avoid risks, insulating material was promptly installed on the affected pipes. For the recall, Ferrari plans to replace the pipes with updated versions featuring anti-corrosive rubber sleeves, and affected owners should expect communication from Ferrari after July 7.
Fortunately, there have been no incidents of injury, fatalities, or fires resulting from this issue. Hence, while the 296 seemed destined to follow its fiery predecessors, it appears to have evaded that fate for now. Nonetheless, Ferrari strongly advises owners against operating their 296s until the issue has been rectified.
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