Maserati Ghibli common problems & fixes (M157 2013–2025, 2017 facelift, 2.0 Hybrid from 2020)

Written by the C4R team from DVSA data and owner reports. Fact-checked 2026-10-13.

30-second verdict

A used Maserati Ghibli brings Italian style and, in V6 petrol form, a Ferrari-built engine to the executive saloon class, but check its recall work, electrics and history first. It suits drivers who value looks and character over rear-seat space and low running costs. The key issues are fuel-line leak and rear tie-rod bolt recalls on 2013–2017 builds, low oil pressure on some early diesels, and electrical glitches such as flat batteries. Our analysis of 2024 DVSA data shows Ghiblis passing their MOT first time more often than average cars of the same age. The safest pick is a facelifted car from late 2017 on with a full Maserati or specialist history and every recall done: a diesel if you cover long distances, otherwise a V6 petrol or 2.0 Hybrid.

Generations at a glance

Which engine?

• 3.0 V6 diesel (2013–2020): the most common used Ghibli. Autocar found diesels outnumbered petrols in the used classifieds by about two to one. It is a VM Motori-built V6 with a single turbo, which Autocar typically saw return economy in the low 30s. It needs a service every year, and its particulate filter needs regular longer runs, so it suits high-mileage drivers.
• 3.0 V6 petrol (2013–2025): the twin-turbo V6 is built for Maserati by Ferrari at Maranello. Auto Express rates it as the more enjoyable engine to drive, but Autocar found the petrols do about 10mpg less.
• 2.0 Hybrid (2020–2025): a four-cylinder petrol with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and an electric supercharger, giving 325bhp and 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds. The battery sits at the back and does not reduce the 500-litre boot. It is the most economical petrol, though Parkers found it falls a little short of the official figure in everyday driving.
• 3.8 V8 Trofeo (2020–2025): 572bhp, 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph, with Skyhook dampers as standard. It is rare and very thirsty.
• What to pay: in September 2026 evo reported that early high-mileage Ghiblis start below £10,000, while the last Trofeos usually sell for £50,000 to £90,000.

Known issues

1. Fuel line leak recalls (2013–14, 2017 and 2021 builds)

Label: Confirmed recalls R/2017/086, R/2018/022, R/2019/042 and R/2024/206

• What you notice: a smell of fuel, or damp fuel lines or staining in the engine bay. Often there is no sign at all, so proof that the recall work was done matters.
• Which cars: R/2017/086 covers Ghiblis built from 27/07/2013 to 31/10/2014. R/2018/022 and R/2019/042 both cover builds from 29/08/2017 to 04/12/2017. R/2024/206 covers V8 Ghiblis (the Trofeo) built from 30/04/2021 to 24/08/2021. The first three campaigns also include Quattroportes.
• Why: on the earlier cars, the fuel delivery line can leak at the engine end, where a quick-release connector is fitted, or at its unions because of flaws in the material. On the V8, a pressure and temperature sensor in a short fuel line in the engine bay can let fuel leak, which DVSA says could cause a loss of power or, at worst, a fire.
• Fix: Maserati replaces the fuel delivery line, or on the V8 the short fuel line with its sensor, free of charge under the recall.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5 (Maserati dealer recall work only)
• Check when buying: run the GOV.UK recall check, then ask a Maserati dealer to confirm every campaign against the VIN. Do not buy a car that smells of fuel until the cause has been found and fixed.
• Evidence: the DVSA recalls file. Auto Express's used buyer's guide notes three fuel-leak recalls on the Ghibli, and Autocar's nearly-new buying guide also lists a fuel line recall.

2. Rear tie-rod bolt recall (2013–2015 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2016/122

• What you notice: possibly nothing until the bolt has loosened. Have any knock from the rear suspension, or a rear end that feels unsettled, checked straight away.
• Which cars: Ghiblis built from 21/12/2013 to 23/09/2015. The campaign, which also covers Quattroportes, involved 2,453 vehicles.
• Why: in extreme or hard driving, the bolt that holds the rear toe-in tie rod can work loose, which could eventually lead to a loss of control.
• Fix: Maserati fits new tie-rod bolts and washers on both sides, inspects the mounting points and replaces the rear hub assembly if it is damaged. Recall work is free.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5 (Maserati dealer recall work only)
• Check when buying: confirm the recall against the VIN. On a car that has been driven hard or tracked, ask a specialist to look over the rear suspension mountings as well.
• Evidence: the DVSA recalls file. Auto Express's used buyer's guide and Parkers' reliability page both mention this rear suspension recall.

3. Low oil pressure on early diesels

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: an oil pressure warning on the dashboard.
• Which cars: early 3.0 V6 diesels. Auto Express describes the problem on some early diesels, and Autocar advises watching the oil pressure on 2013 cars.
• Why: neither source gives the cause. The diesel is a VM Motori-built V6, and Auto Express notes that a version of the same engine is used by Jeep.
• Fix: both sources say affected cars were meant to be fixed under warranty, but Autocar warns that some may have been missed. If a car shows the fault now, have a Maserati dealer or specialist diagnose it before you buy. None of our sources gives a cost.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5
• Check when buying: on an early diesel, especially a 2013 car, ask for the warranty invoice or a dealer history printout, check the oil level, and watch for any oil pressure warning during a long test drive once the engine is fully warm.
• Evidence: Autocar's nearly-new buying guide and Auto Express's used buyer's guide.

4. Electrical glitches and flat batteries

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: a battery that goes flat after the car has stood for a while, warning lights (including the engine warning light), or features that work only some of the time.
• Which cars: all years.
• Why: Auto Express says that if anything is wrong with a used Ghibli, it is most likely to be electrical or electronic. Autocar reports owners whose batteries drained quickly. Warning lights also show up at the MOT: in our analysis of 2024 DVSA results, an engine warning light that was on or not working was the third most common single reason for a Ghibli to fail (1.85% of tests), though that light can point to many kinds of fault, and faulty tyre pressure warning systems also appeared (0.72%).
• Fix: diagnosis with suitable diagnostic equipment, a battery test and, if the battery keeps going flat, a check for whatever is draining it. None of our sources gives a cost.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5
• Check when buying: ask whether the car has needed jump-starts or a new battery, check that no warning lights stay on after start-up, have the fault codes read, and try every switch, window, mirror, seat motor, camera and parking sensor.
• Evidence: Auto Express's used buyer's guide, Autocar's nearly-new buying guide and C4R's analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2024.

5. Sticking throttle pedal recall (2013–2015 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2016/046

• What you notice: an accelerator pedal that catches or does not return properly.
• Which cars: Ghiblis built from 25/04/2013 to 17/12/2015. The campaign, which also covers Quattroportes, involved 2,773 vehicles.
• Why: the throttle pedal may jam in any position, which raises the risk of a crash. The remedy points to the pedal cover, the carpet mats and the floor covering.
• Fix: depending on the VIN and an inspection, Maserati replaces the throttle pedal cover, the carpet mats and their fixings, or modifies the floor covering. Recall work is free.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5 (Maserati dealer recall work only)
• Check when buying: confirm the recall, make sure the driver's mat is the correct one and is clipped in, and check that both pedals move freely and return fully. Autocar also reports brake pedals sticking on some Ghiblis, so press the brake several times and make sure it comes back smoothly.
• Evidence: the DVSA recalls file. Auto Express's used buyer's guide mentions the sticking throttle on cars built up to December 2015, and Autocar's nearly-new buying guide covers the throttle recall and the brake pedal reports.

6. Driver's seat wiring recall (2013–2016 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2017/235

• What you notice: the driver's seat stops adjusting, or adjusts only some of the time.
• Which cars: Ghiblis built from 07/02/2013 to 24/11/2016. The campaign of 3,844 vehicles also covers the Quattroporte and Levante.
• Why: on some cars the seat wiring harness was routed incorrectly, so it can rub on metal parts of the seat frame as the seat moves. Over time this can stop the seat adjusting and, in rare cases, cause a short circuit near the seat motor with a risk of fire.
• Fix: Maserati replaces two seat circuit breakers with 25-amp mini fuses, checks the harness, then repositions it behind a protective barrier, or replaces it first if it is damaged. Recall work is free.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5 (Maserati dealer recall work only)
• Check when buying: run the driver's seat through every adjustment, including any memory settings, and confirm the recall against the VIN.
• Evidence: the DVSA recalls file. Auto Express, Autocar and Parkers all mention the seat wiring recall.

7. Gear selector roll-away recall (2013–2014 builds)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2017/051

• What you notice: the selector lever's resting position can make you think the gearbox is in Park when a drive gear is still selected.
• Which cars: Ghiblis built from 25/11/2013 to 09/07/2014. The campaign, which also covers Quattroportes, involved 1,039 vehicles.
• Why: if the driver gets out believing the car is in Park, it could move off on its own.
• Fix: Maserati fits a new driver's door lock and updates the software to add a strategy that stops the car driving away. Recall work is free.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5 (Maserati dealer recall work only)
• Check when buying: confirm the recall. On any Ghibli, make sure the dashboard shows P before you get out. Auto Express found the selector awkward to engage, and CAR magazine called it fiddly, so practise with it before you buy.
• Evidence: the DVSA recalls file. Auto Express's used buyer's guide and Autocar's nearly-new buying guide both mention this recall.

8. Infotainment, sat-nav and quiet audio

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: sat-nav errors, a slow or glitchy touchscreen, Bluetooth calls that drop, or a premium hi-fi that sounds too quiet even when turned up.
• Which cars: mainly cars built before the late-2017 facelift. Autocar reports sat-nav glitches and volume problems on 2016 pre-facelift cars. Auto Express says the original system was poor and improved greatly with the 2016 update. The late-2017 facelift brought a new infotainment system, and the 2020 update a larger 10.1in touchscreen.
• Why: Auto Express and evo both say the infotainment is borrowed from other Fiat Chrysler models. For the quiet hi-fi, Auto Express says the amplifiers need turning up.
• Fix: Autocar says a Maserati dealer can usually fix the sat-nav and volume faults, and Auto Express says a franchised dealer can turn up the amplifiers. None of our sources gives a cost.
• DIY difficulty: 2/5
• Check when buying: pair your phone and make a call, enter a postcode in the sat-nav, turn the audio up and check every speaker, and try the reversing camera if one is fitted.
• Evidence: Autocar's nearly-new buying guide and road test, Auto Express's used buyer's guide and its 2017 and 2021 reviews, Carbuyer's 2020 launch report and evo's review.

9. Squeaks, rattles and trim fit

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: creaks and buzzes from the dashboard or doors, trim pieces that do not line up, doors that close with a less solid feel than German rivals, squeaky brakes or noisy power steering.
• Which cars: all years.
• Why: opinions differ. Carbuyer and Auto Express's used guide rate the build quality well, but Autocar says it has been criticised, Parkers has found poorly fitted trim on Maseratis it has tested, and Auto Express's 2021 review rated it only average. Auto Express also points to switchgear borrowed from cheaper Fiat Chrysler models.
• Fix: trace each noise and refit or re-clip the trim. Brake and steering noises need a proper inspection. None of our sources gives a cost.
• DIY difficulty: 2/5
• Check when buying: drive on a rough road with the audio off, listen for rattles, and check panel gaps, trim alignment and every switch.
• Evidence: Autocar's nearly-new buying guide, Parkers' running costs and reliability page, Carbuyer's reliability page, and Auto Express's 2021 review and used buyer's guide.

Recalls (DVSA data)

These are the Ghibli records in the DVSA recalls file (downloaded 2026-10-07). Summaries are in our own words. Launch dates and build windows are copied from the file. Where a campaign also covers the Quattroporte or Levante, the file gives the same vehicle total on each model's row, so that figure is for the whole campaign. The exception is R/2024/206, which gives 6 Ghiblis and 1 Quattroporte. No record has an end date before its start date. Not every car built inside a window is affected, so check the individual car by registration and VIN.

Run the GOV.UK vehicle recall check, then ask a Maserati dealer to confirm every campaign against the VIN.

MOT watch-points

These figures are C4R's own analysis of the DVSA anonymised MOT results for 2024. We counted initial tests only (classes 4 and 7, normal tests that ended in a pass, a fail, or a pass after a defect was put right during the test), once per test, for Maserati Ghiblis first used from 2013 onwards. That gave 3,468 tests. A share is the percentage of those tests with at least one failure, or advisory, of that type.

• Overall: 82.8% of Ghiblis passed first time, against 71.5% for all cars. Weighting the national pass rate for each age by the Ghibli's mix of ages gives 76.7%, so the Ghibli did better than average cars of the same age. Diesels passed 81.9% of 2,272 tests and petrols 83.5% of 1,034. Hybrids passed 91.4% of 162 tests, but most of them were only three years old.
• Tyres: the biggest problem area. 9.1% of tests failed on tyres, mainly for tread below 1.6mm (4.5%), exposed cords (2.7%), bulges (1.2%) and deep cuts (1.2%). A further 22.1% got an advisory for tread close to the limit. Check every tyre across its full width, including the inner edge. Auto Express adds that the 19, 20 and 21in alloys are known to corrode.
• Brakes: pads worn below 1.5mm failed 1.5% of tests, 10.5% of tests got an advisory for thin pads and 7.4% one for worn, pitted or scored discs. Budget for brakes if the history shows these advisories.
• Warning lights: an engine warning light that was on or not working failed 1.85% of tests, and a faulty tyre pressure warning system 0.72%.
• Headlamp aim: aim set too high (1.15%) or too low (0.72%) is a common failure. Cars built from August 2017 to February 2019 with full-LED headlamps were also recalled for beam aim (R/2019/239).
• Suspension: fractured or broken coil springs failed 0.98% of tests, rising to 1.19% for diesels. Leaking shock absorbers failed 0.37%, and 1.7% got an advisory for light oil misting. On cars with Skyhook adaptive dampers, look for oily damper bodies.
• Leaks and corrosion: 1.2% of tests got an advisory for an engine oil leak and 0.8% for corroded brake pipes.
• Wipers: wipers that do not clear the screen failed 1.3% of tests, an easy fix before the test.

These are things to inspect, not a prediction that a particular Ghibli will fail. Read the individual car's record on the GOV.UK MOT history service.

Buying one? Our checklist

1. Run the registration through the GOV.UK recall checker, then ask a Maserati dealer to confirm every campaign against the VIN, especially the fuel line, rear tie-rod, throttle pedal, seat wiring and gear selector recalls.
2. Ask for a full Maserati dealer or recognised-specialist history. Auto Express says Ghiblis are serviced every 12,500 miles, every year for diesels and up to every two years for petrols.
3. On an early diesel, especially a 2013 car, ask for proof of any warranty repair for low oil pressure, and watch for oil pressure warnings during a long test drive.
4. On any diesel, ask how the car has been used. The AA says a particulate filter needs regular faster runs to clear itself, and a warning light can often be cleared by driving for about 10 minutes at over 40mph. Make sure no filter or AdBlue warnings appear.
5. Check that no warning lights stay on, ask about flat batteries and have the fault codes read.
6. Test every electric item: seats, windows, mirrors, touchscreen, sat-nav, Bluetooth, the hi-fi at volume, cameras and parking sensors.
7. Make sure the driver's mat is clipped in and both pedals return freely, and check that the dashboard shows P before you get out.
8. Check the tyres across their full width, the condition of the alloys, and pad and disc wear. Look behind the wheels for broken springs and oily dampers.
9. On a 2017-on Ghibli S, Autocar says a noise between 1,000 and 2,000rpm could be turbo wastegate chatter, which it understands is not a problem. Have any other engine noise checked by a specialist.
10. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, and check the options list: Autocar notes that a reversing camera and blind-spot warning were options rather than standard, and Auto Express says not every early car has a camera.

Running costs

• Fuel: Parkers lists official figures of 47mpg for the 2013–2017 diesel, 29mpg for the 2013–2015 V6 petrol and 27mpg for the S, from the older NEDC test. Parkers gives newer WLTP figures for cars made from September 2017: the 2017-on diesel is rated at 34–36.2mpg, the 2.0 Hybrid at 30.1–34.9mpg and the V8 Trofeo at 22.4–23mpg. Autocar typically saw diesel economy in the low 30s, and evo struggled to beat 23mpg in a Trofeo even on a gentle motorway run.
• Road tax, cars first registered before 1 April 2017: tax depends on the CO2 figure on the V5C. Using Parkers' CO2 figures and GOV.UK's current table, the diesel (158g/km) is in band G at £275 a year. The 2013–2015 V6 petrol (223g/km) and the 2015–2017 petrol and S models (207–223g/km) are in band K at £445. The 2013–2015 S (242g/km) is in band L at £760.
• Road tax, cars first registered from 1 April 2017: the standard rate is £200 a year. Every Ghibli cost more than £40,000 new, so the £440 expensive car supplement is added for five years from the second tax payment, making £640 a year for those five years and £200 after that. The 2.0 Hybrid pays the same.
• Insurance: Carbuyer and Auto Express put every Ghibli in insurance group 50, the highest, and Parkers lists group 50 for the facelifted diesel.
• Servicing: Auto Express quoted prices of £648 for a minor diesel service and £1,040 for a major one, £1,383 for the fifth diesel service, and £689 to £1,318 for petrols. These prices come from its December 2020 guide, so expect to pay more now. Auto Express also notes that neither the V6 petrol nor the diesel has a cambelt to replace. Auto Express counted only 14 Maserati dealer outlets in 2021, and the two dealers nearest to evo's long-term tester were both about 70 miles away, so find a specialist near you.

Sources & further reading

Official data and checks

• DVSA: Vehicle Safety Branch recalls database (data.gov.uk)
• DVSA: anonymised MOT tests and results (data.gov.uk)
• GOV.UK: check if a vehicle has been recalled
• GOV.UK: check MOT history
• GOV.UK: vehicle tax rates for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017
• GOV.UK: vehicle tax rates for cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017

Buying guides, reviews and specifications

• Auto Express: used Maserati Ghibli review
• Auto Express: Maserati Ghibli (2013-2025) review
• Auto Express: Maserati Ghibli diesel 2016 review
• Auto Express: Maserati Ghibli S 2017 facelift review
• Auto Express: Maserati Ghibli 334 Ultima review
• Auto Express: new 207mph Maserati Ghibli 334 Ultima V8 announced
• Autocar: nearly-new buying guide, Maserati Ghibli
• Autocar: Maserati Ghibli road test
• Parkers: Maserati Ghibli Saloon (2013-2025) running costs and reliability
• Parkers: Maserati Ghibli Saloon (2013-2025) specs
• Carbuyer: Maserati Ghibli reliability and safety
• Carbuyer: Maserati Ghibli MPG, running costs and CO2
• Carbuyer: new 325bhp Maserati Ghibli launched with mild-hybrid tech
• Carbuyer: Maserati Ghibli updated for 2017
• CAR magazine: Maserati Ghibli Diesel (2013) review
• CAR magazine: Maserati Ghibli (2018) review
• evo: Maserati Ghibli (2013-2023) review
• evo: living with a Maserati Ghibli Trofeo

Diesel particulate filters

• The AA: diesel particulate filters
• RAC: diesel particulate filters explained

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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