# Ferrari California T buying guide

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Buying guide · 2015 to 2018 · Updated Oct 1, 2026

The California T is the first turbo Ferrari road car since the F40, with a sturdy V8 and a fussier supporting cast of roof, sensors and gearbox clutch.

**Median asking price: $128,290** (Across 48 live listings)

- Asking prices: $86,985 to $179,199, middle half $116k to $138k
- For sale: 48
- Lowest price: $86,985
- Model years: 2015 to 2018
- Versions for sale: 1

## The California T as a used buy

The Ferrari California T has a sturdy engine and a fussy supporting cast, so a used one should be judged on its roof, parking sensors, gearbox clutch and recall paperwork rather than on the V8. It covers model years 2015 to 2018 and is the first turbocharged Ferrari road car since the F40.

Power comes from a 3,855cc F154 twin-turbo V8 making 560PS, the first home of that engine. Every car has the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, because the manual option went out with the first California. [Octane Files](https://www.octanefiles.com/cars/ferrari-california-california-t) calls the V8 sturdy, and since it is chain-driven there is no cambelt job to plan for.

Octane Files puts the T's niggles on the electrical side. The expensive items in the sources we read are the folding hardtop, the gearbox clutch and the fuel system. A documented service history tells you more than the odometer does.

## California T years and versions

Only one version is tracked here, so the choice comes down to specification. Octane Files says the options list separates one T from another more than model year does: carbon trim, seats, cameras and paint all vary. Brakes belong on that list too, because carbon-ceramics cost a good deal more to replace than steel.

The Handling Speciale arrived in 2016 as an option pack, priced at £5,568 in Britain. Front springs are 16 per cent stiffer and rears 19 per cent, and the magnetorheological dampers, gearbox and F1-Trac get revised settings. The exhaust is new, with reworked silencers, and the grille and diffuser are finished in grey. A plaque sits on the centre tunnel. Octane Files calls it a modest update of the same car, and recommends it to anyone who plans to drive hard.

The 70th Anniversary cars of 2017 are Tailor Made liveries, 70 of them across five models, with one California T per livery. They are a paint story, not a mechanical one.

To compare specifications side by side, browse the [used California T listings](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/ferrari/california-t) and the [market for every car on sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t). If you are weighing a rival, our [Porsche vs Ferrari comparison](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/compare/porsche-vs-ferrari) covers the other side.

## California T versions for sale now

Every version in our latest scan, most listed first. Each links to its own page with deal analysis and market history.

| Version | Model years | For sale | Median price |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t) | 2015-2018 | 48 | $128,290 |

## Common California T problems

The faults on record sit mostly in the electrics, the roof and the gearbox, with fuel pump and turbo plumbing wear alongside them.

### Parking sensor failures

A single faulty parking sensor can shut down the entire parking system, and owners say it can keep the roof from working too. Octane Files calls it a known nuisance.

### Hardtop mechanism faults

The roof is carried over from the first California, and it likes regular use and suffers from neglect. [Carlyle](https://carlyle.vin/maintenance/ferrari/california-t) puts repairs at $2,000 to $10,000 and says faults can appear at any mileage as the hydraulics and sensors age.

### DCT clutch wear

Carlyle says clutch wear typically shows between 30,000 and 50,000 miles and costs $5,000 to $8,000. The gearbox is generally reliable, but hesitation, noise or a warning light should go to a specialist promptly.

### Fuel pump and turbo plumbing

Wear in the high-pressure fuel pump and turbo plumbing appears from about 30,000 to 60,000 miles, according to Carlyle, at $1,500 to $4,000 to put right. Rough running and boost leaks are the early signs.

### Gearbox oil leaks and bulletins

Ferrari has issued technical bulletins for the California T covering DCT malfunctions and oil leaks, and [BumperScan](https://bumperscan.com/tsbs/ferrari/california-t/2018) lists them. Ask which, if any, were carried out on the car you are viewing.

### Flat battery

Octane Files advises connecting a battery conditioner if the car will stand for weeks at a time. Ask the seller how the car has been stored.

## What to check on a used California T

Spend the viewing on the roof, the gearbox and the paperwork.

- Ask for the full dealer service record and question any gap.
- Work the roof several times and listen for strain, since alignment problems are expensive.
- Test every parking sensor, then operate the roof with the system active.
- Drive through all seven gears and listen for whine, hesitation or limp mode.
- Look around the gearbox casing for oil seepage and ask for any bulletin work in writing.
- Ask for proof that the brake fluid reservoir cap recall and the Takata passenger airbag recall were done.
- Run the car's VIN through NHTSA, because [VinSpectorAI](https://vinspectorai.com/vehicle-stats/reliability/ferrari/california-t/2017) notes that completion status varies from car to car.
- Match a claimed Handling Speciale to its centre tunnel plaque and grey grille and diffuser, or to paperwork.
- Find out whether the brakes are carbon-ceramic or steel and how much wear is left.
- Confirm the seven-year maintenance programme transfers to you.

## California T running costs

Ferrari's seven-year maintenance programme came with the cars and transfers to a new owner. Octane Files says independent Ferrari specialists work on these routinely and bill well below main dealers.

Carlyle puts a 6,000-mile service at an independent shop at $900 to $1,800, and the 18,000-mile or 36-month service at $1,500 to $3,200. The 30,000-mile or 48-month service, at $2,000 to $4,000, is listed as covering plugs, a belt, coolant and a DCT service. Octane Files says the V8 has timing chains, so ask the shop what the belt line means.

Carlyle gives $10,000 to $16,000 for carbon-ceramic brake replacement, with steel far cheaper. Octane Files adds tires, roof repairs and sensor work as the car ages. Our [Ferrari California T price guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/prices/ferrari/california-t) and [guide to how much a Ferrari costs](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/prices/ferrari) cover buying prices.

## California T recalls and complaints

NHTSA holds 5 recall campaigns for the 2015 to 2018 California T, three of them for air bags. The others cover hydraulic service brakes on 2015 to 2017 cars and a low-pressure fuel line on certain 2016 cars built from September to November 2015 that may not connect properly to the pump feed pipe.

A campaign filed for a model year does not mean every car of that year was affected, so check each car's VIN at [NHTSA's recall lookup](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). Owners have filed one complaint, about air bags, with no crashes, fires, injuries or deaths reported.

## NHTSA recalls for the California T

Every recall campaign the carmaker filed with NHTSA for the 2015 to 2018 model years, newest first, as of Oct 31, 2026. Not every car of a listed year was affected: check a car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | What can happen |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 22V536000 | Jul 26, 2022 | 2015 to 2017 | Service brakes, hydraulic | A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 19V411000 | Jun 4, 2019 | 2016 to 2018 | Air bags | In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury. |
| 19V006000 | Jan 9, 2019 | 2015 to 2018 | Air bags | An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. |
| 15V811000 | Dec 1, 2015 | 2016 | Fuel system, gasoline | The improper low pressure fuel line connection can result in a fuel leak in the engine compartment which may increase the risk of a fire. |
| 15V433000 | Jul 7, 2015 | 2015 | Air bags | In the event of a crash, the deployment of the driver's air bag in a rotated orientation increases the risk of injury. |

## Owner complaints to NHTSA about the California T

Owners filed 1 complaint with NHTSA for the 2015 to 2018 model years. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. A complaint can name more than one component.

| Component | Complaints |
| --- | --- |
| Air bags | 1 |

## Best California T deals right now

14 deals priced below market right now, the best by about $27,799. Members get the VIN, dealer, listing link and a ready-to-send negotiation email for each one.

- 2016 Ferrari California T: asking $99,999 · $28k below market · 20,026 mi · Tampa, FL · deal score 100 of 100
- 2016 Ferrari California T: asking $99,125 · $24k below market · 25,031 mi · Houston, TX · deal score 100 of 100
- 2016 Ferrari California T: asking $99,219 · $20k below market · 28,851 mi · Addison, TX · deal score 99 of 100
- 2015 Ferrari California T: asking $86,985 · $12k below market · 60,849 mi · Fairfax, VA · deal score 96 of 100
- 2015 Ferrari California T: asking $140,223 · $18k below market · 2,181 mi · Houston, TX · deal score 94 of 100
- 2016 Ferrari California T: asking $109,900 · $13k below market · 24,746 mi · North Charlotte, NC · deal score 94 of 100

[Unlock all 14 deals](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/upgrade). Members see every deal's VIN, dealer and listing link, plus a negotiation email.

## California T prices by model year

Median asking price for each model year in our latest scan, with the number of cars listed and their price range.

- 2018: $128,040 (2 for sale · $120,194 to $135,886 · median 30,251 mi)
- [2017](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/ferrari/california-t/2017): $137,485 (11 for sale · $99,750 to $179,199 · median 14,561 mi)
- [2016](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/ferrari/california-t/2016): $126,038 (18 for sale · $99,125 to $150,298 · median 20,513 mi)
- [2015](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/ferrari/california-t/2015): $130,388 (17 for sale · $86,985 to $143,088 · median 19,462 mi)

[California T price guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/prices/ferrari/california-t)

## California T fair values by trim and year

Our fair value is what comparable cars, same trim and model year with typical miles, are listed at in our latest market data. A car well under it is worth a close look; a car well over it needs a reason.

| Trim | Model year | Fair value | Typical miles |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| California T | 2018 | $136,138 | 22,100 |
| California T | 2017 | $136,556 | 16,900 |
| California T | 2016 | $130,953 | 16,700 |
| California T | 2015 | $124,705 | 19,700 |

## California T for sale now

- [2017 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $130,796 · 31,759 mi · Pompano Beach, FL
- [2017 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $125,889 · 13,930 mi · Naperville, IL
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $135,957 · 19,462 mi · Sterling, VA
- [2016 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $150,298 · 9,292 mi · Cleveland, OH
- [2017 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $99,750 · 65,706 mi · Las Vegas, NV
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $115,999 · 16,024 mi · Sacramento, CA
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $106,043 · 43,681 mi · San Juan Capistrano, CA
- [2016 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $115,599 · 28,615 mi · Jacksonville, FL
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $113,994 · 34,143 mi · Fredericksburg, VA
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $136,398 · 11,274 mi · Hickory, NC
- [2017 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $128,223 · 11,503 mi · Dayton, OH
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $134,900 · 7,725 mi · Plano, TX
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $143,088 · 11,979 mi · Vero Beach, FL
- [2017 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $155,997 · 15,988 mi · Boca Raton, FL
- [2017 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $160,309 · 11,030 mi · Dearborn, MI
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $129,995 · 25,146 mi · Tampa, FL
- [2016 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $139,640 · 23,223 mi · Houston, TX
- [2017 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $144,900 · 14,561 mi · Dallas, TX
- [2016 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $126,096 · 22,832 mi · Roswell, GA
- [2016 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $145,962 · 18,238 mi · Thousand Oaks, CA
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $138,075 · 14,667 mi · Plainview, NY
- [2015 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $114,999 · 32,365 mi · Knoxville, TN
- [2016 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $99,219 · 28,851 mi · Addison, TX
- [2016 Ferrari California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cars/ferrari-california-t): $127,675 · 17,709 mi · Miami, FL

[Every used California T](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/ferrari/california-t)

## Our verdict

Find a car with a complete service record, and take a Handling Speciale if you intend to drive hard. Octane Files rates the T the easier ownership proposition of the two Californias, and says the facelift made it a Ferrari people wanted to live with.

Insist on proof that the recalls were done, a gearbox check by a specialist, and a roof that works smoothly every time you cycle it.

## Sources

We read these pages and checked every fact in this guide against them. The words are ours. Researched Oct 31, 2026.

- [T Ferrari California "Cali T" (2014–2017)](https://www.octanefiles.com/cars/ferrari-california-california-t) (Octane Files)
- [Ferrari California T maintenance schedule, costs & known repairs](https://carlyle.vin/maintenance/ferrari/california-t) (Carlyle)
- [2017 Ferrari California T: Is It Reliable? Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict](https://vinspectorai.com/vehicle-stats/reliability/ferrari/california-t/2017) (VinSpectorAI)
- [2015 Ferrari California T: Is It Reliable? Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict](https://vinspectorai.com/vehicle-stats/reliability/ferrari/california-t/2015) (VinSpectorAI)
- [2018 Ferrari California T Technical Service Bulletins (45 TSBs)](https://bumperscan.com/tsbs/ferrari/california-t/2018) (BumperScan)
- [2015 Ferrari California T Technical Service Bulletins (59 TSBs)](https://bumperscan.com/tsbs/ferrari/california-t/2015) (BumperScan)
- [Recalls and owner complaints for the California T](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) (NHTSA)

## Shop the California T

- [Used Ferrari California T for sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/ferrari/california-t) (48)
- [Ferrari California T price guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/prices/ferrari/california-t)
- [Cheapest Ferrari California T for sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/cheapest/ferrari/california-t)
- [Used Ferrari for sale](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/used/ferrari) (1,161)

## More Ferrari buying guides

- [Ferrari 360 (Modena, Spider and Challenge Stradale) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/360) (1999 to 2005)
- [Ferrari F430 (and 430 Scuderia) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/f430) (2005 to 2009)
- [Ferrari 458 (Italia, Spider and Speciale) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/458) (2010 to 2015)
- [Ferrari 488 (GTB, Spider and Pista) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/488) (2016 to 2020)
- [Ferrari F8 (Tributo and Spider) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/f8) (2020 to 2023)
- [Ferrari 296 (GTB and GTS) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/296) (2022 on)
- [Ferrari SF90 (Stradale and Spider) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/sf90) (2021 on)
- [Ferrari California (2009 to 2014) buying guide](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/california) (2009 to 2014)
- [All buying guides](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides)

## Latest Ferrari California T news

- [Used Ferrari Californias, the cheapest big models, take longest to sell](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/news/ferrari-market-report-october-2026) (Oct 31, 2026): The 812 GTS and 488 Spider move fastest at 45 days, and four cars listed for sale ask about $105,000 or more under fair value.

[All car news](https://www.luxurycardeals.com/news)

## California T: common questions

### What is the best California T to buy?

The Handling Speciale, offered from 2016, is the one to look for if you drive hard. It has stiffer springs and revised damper, gearbox and F1-Trac settings. Whichever you pick, a clean service history matters more than the badge.

### What goes wrong with the California T?

Parking sensors, the hardtop and the DCT clutch are the main ones. A failed sensor can disable the parking system and, owners report, the roof. Carlyle also lists fuel pump and turbo plumbing wear, and Ferrari has bulletins on gearbox oil leaks.

### Is the California T reliable?

The engine is, and the extras less so. Octane Files says the twin-turbo V8 has proved sturdy and the gearbox is generally reliable, with the niggles being electrical. Roof and clutch repairs can be costly, so a full history matters.

### How much does it cost to run a California T?

Carlyle puts a 6,000-mile independent service at $900 to $1,800 and the 30,000-mile service at $2,000 to $4,000. It gives $10,000 to $16,000 for carbon-ceramic brakes and $5,000 to $8,000 for a DCT clutch. Octane Files says the V8 is chain-driven, so there is no cambelt job.

### How much is a used California T?

Asking prices for the 48 cars we track for sale right now run from $86,985 to $179,199, with a median of $128,290. Model year, version, mileage and history move the price most; the prices by model year and fair values on this page show where a car should sit.

### Has the California T been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns filed for the 2015 to 2018 model years as of Oct 31, 2026, the latest for service brakes, hydraulic. Not every car was affected, so check the VIN of any car you're considering at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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Source: Luxury Car Deals, https://www.luxurycardeals.com/. Prices are live asking prices from US dealer listings in our latest scan, not sale prices. Cite as "Ferrari California T buying guide", Luxury Car Deals, https://www.luxurycardeals.com/guides/ferrari/california-t (updated Oct 1, 2026). Site map for assistants: https://www.luxurycardeals.com/llms.txt.