2008 Maserati Quattroporte: common problems

Owners of the 2008 Maserati Quattroporte filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and suspension. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 6

What fails most often

1 Engine 33% of all complaints
2 Suspension 33% of all complaints
3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
4 Equipment 17% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine: 2 complaints (33% of all).
Suspension: 2 complaints (33% of all).
Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Equipment: 1 complaints (17% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

4.2 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
automatic, 6-speed

Drive: RWD

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Engine	2	0	0
Suspension	2	0	0
Engine and cooling	1	0	0
Equipment	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

The maserati 4.2l engine used in the early 2000s through early 2009 have an extremely high percentage that have an engine fault (cam variator) that requires repair. Maserati north america knows of the issue, has issued a technical repair bulletin, but never took responsibility to issue a recall.
Engine · 2019-04-12 · NHTSA complaint #11195800
The cam variator failed causing the engine to misfire and lose power.
Engine · 2015-06-03 · NHTSA complaint #10723188
The rear suspension arm failed in a manner consistent to the issue described in: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/acm10923092/rcdnn-09v001-1525.pdf this vehicle had been checked under the previous recall, but the repair specified is not sufficient to remedy the issue.
Suspension · 2015-06-03 · NHTSA complaint #10723187
The rear suspension failed in the manner described in the recall: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/acm10923092/rcdnn-09v001-1525.pdf this vehicle had been recalled and checked by the dealer under the previous recall. The actions specified in the recall were insufficient.
Suspension · 2015-06-03 · NHTSA complaint #10723189
Spare tire jack falls apart and are very dangerous. Was trying to teach my daughter who is getting ready to drive. The lever is strong when extended but it literally torqued the bolt in half, collapsing the jack. Thank god the wheel was still on. Folks be aware. This is a 4500 lbs car.
Equipment · 2014-03-19 · NHTSA complaint #10573631
Cpsc#i12b0076a. 2008 quatrroporte maserati. Consumer stated car engine caught on fire. The vehicle was totaled.
Engine and cooling · 2012-11-08 · NHTSA complaint #10484362

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20121
20141
20153
20191

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 13,281 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Quattroporte has 3 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 6, above average.

What to check before buying

Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Maserati Quattroporte?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, suspension, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (17%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Maserati Quattroporte?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2008 Maserati Quattroporte from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.