2012 Ferrari California — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Ferrari California is a coupe powered by a 4.3L 8-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 18 mpg (UK) / 15 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Ferrari California workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Ferrari California: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 18 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 4.3L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM7) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 18 combined / 16 urban / 23 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 15 combined / 13 city / 19 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 368 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $5,500 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Ferrari California, all with the 4.3L 8-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 8-cyl | Automatic (AM7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 15 (13/19) | 368 | $5,500 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Ferrari California
Running Costs: 2012 Ferrari California
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Ferrari California at 18 mpg combined, expect roughly 2,020 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $5,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Ferrari California Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Ferrari California (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Air bags (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 22V536000, reported 26 July 2022. Risk: A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash.
- Air bags — campaign 18V381000, reported 7 June 2018. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ferrari California. The most-reported areas are Air bags (1), Engine (1).
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Ferrari California
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (1 recall campaign · 1 owner complaint) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Brakes (1 recall campaign) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Engine (1 owner complaint) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Ferrari California compare to similar coupes? For context, coupes in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 18 mpg figure is 7 mpg below that average. Its 368 g/km CO₂ figure is 90 g/km higher than the 278 g/km average for coupes on this site. This comparison is based on 1072 coupes in our dataset.
At 18 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 19 mpg average for Ferrari models in our database. Its 368 g/km CO₂ figure is 13 g/km higher than the 355 g/km Ferrari average.
Of the 5 Ferrari California model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 3rd for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (18 mpg UK combined, against a high of 19 mpg). See every Ferrari California year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Ferrari California
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Ferrari California have?
It's fitted with a 4.3L 8-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (am7) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Ferrari California?
The most efficient configuration returns around 18 mpg (UK) combined, or 15 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Ferrari California cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $5,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Ferrari California have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Ferrari California (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Air bags (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Ferrari California?
Among the 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (1 complaint), Engine (1 complaint). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Ferrari California's fuel economy good for a coupe?
It returns around 18 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the coupes we track.