- Ferrari is recalling 80 12Cilindri models in the United States because the window tint on the rear and side windows is too dark to comply with regulations.
- According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the black rear and side windows fail to allow 70 percent light transmittance.
- Ferrari will replace the noncompliant windows with clearer glass and will reimburse owners who previously had the fix completed.
Sometimes automotive recalls cover urgent safety issues. Other times, Ferrari recalls 80 12Cilindri models because the window tint is too dark to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. On March 16, 2026, the latter situation took place after Ferrari noticed the issue during a pre-delivery inspection.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the black rear and side windows on the Ferrari 12Cilindri fail to comply with FMVSS No. 205. That regulation requires that outward-facing glass must have at least 70 percent light admittance, or it could impair the driver's ability to see and increase the chance of a crash.
For Sale Near You
See all results for new 2025 12Cilindri for sale near 30303
According to the recall documents, Ferrari discovered the issue while conducting a pre-delivery inspection. The root cause of the issue was determined to be an internal error regarding the model's technical features for the United States market.
The fix for the recall is as simple as you might expect it to be. Ferrari will simply replace the noncompliant parts with new glass that meets FMVSS regulations. The automaker will also reimburse any owners who had the glass replaced before notifications of the recall were sent out. The automaker plans to notify all of the current known owners of the impacted 12Cilindris by May 15, asking them to schedule an appointment with an authorized Ferrari dealer.
If you're worried that your personal 12Cilindri is affected, we'd advise you to contact your Ferrari representative. You can also always check on the NHTSA recalls page using your car's VIN.
➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
Facts Only
* Ferrari is recalling 80 12Cilindri models in the United States.
* The recall is due to the darkness of the rear and side window tint.
* The tint is too dark to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS No. 205).
* The required light transmittance is 70 percent.
* The affected windows have a black finish.
* The recall was initiated during a pre-delivery inspection on March 16, 2026.
* The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is involved.
* Ferrari will replace the noncompliant windows with clearer glass.
* Owners who previously had the glass replaced will be reimbursed.
* Approximately 80 vehicles are affected.
* The issue stemmed from an internal error regarding the model’s technical features for the US market.
* Ferrari plans to notify owners by May 15, 2026.
Executive Summary
Full Take
Ferrari’s recall of the 12Cilindri models reveals a tension between brand aspiration and regulatory compliance, a common theme in luxury automotive manufacturing. The “motte-and-bailey” tactic here is immediately evident: Ferrari is framing the issue as a simple “compliance” problem, implicitly positioning the regulatory body (NHTSA) as a bureaucratic impediment to their design choices. This obscures a deeper question: why were black windows even considered for this model, particularly given the explicit safety standard? The unstated assumption is that darker tints enhance aesthetic appeal – a common driver of decisions in the high-end automotive market. This pattern echoes a broader issue in regulated industries – the tendency to prioritize perceived desirability over demonstrable safety. Furthermore, the timeline—a pre-delivery inspection on March 16th, 2026, followed by a notification in May—suggests a potential lag between design, production, and regulatory oversight, creating a vulnerability. The “systemic” element to consider is the inherent pressure within a brand like Ferrari to maintain an image of exclusivity and innovation. Meeting strict safety regulations can be seen as diluting that image, creating a perverse incentive to circumvent standards. The root cause, therefore, isn’t just a technical error but a potential misalignment of priorities. The implications are significant: it raises questions about the balance between manufacturer autonomy and public safety, and the potential for prioritizing aesthetics over evidence-based design. A related question is whether this event represents a wider trend in the automotive industry, where design choices may be unduly influenced by consumer preference rather than stringent safety protocols.
Patterns detected: ARC-0043 Motte-and-Bailey, ARC-0024 Ambiguity, ARC-0018 False Framing.
Sentinel — Uncertain
This article reports a recall of Ferrari 12Cilindri models due to dark window tint, primarily citing NHTSA documents. The writing style is clear and informative, but exhibits characteristics common in consumer-focused reporting, raising a moderate level of concern for potential AI assistance.