Ferrari recalls 3,000 cars of its highly exotic 458 sports cars in the United States. In fact, Ferrari recalled 3,082 units due to a spotted defect with the model's interior latch. This defect could pose a potentially dangerous situation wherein someone could get accidentally trapped in its trunk.
Since the engine of this model is mounted behind its seats, its trunk is placed in its front portion. According to the safety regulation in the US, there must be a way to open a car's trunk from the inside. This mandate was approved to prevent children, or anyone for that matter, from getting trapped inside the trunk. In other models, a handle is installed inside the trunk, one that can be easily pulled.
The hoods of cars today normally have two latches, unlike in trunks. The first one is the one that users usually use from inside the cabin, while the second one is installed on the outside of the vehicle. This dual latch system is actually a highly efficient safety feature that intends to keep the trunk from suddenly flying open whenever it has not been completely closed.
According to Ferrari, however, the handle that is inside the trunk only releases the first type of latch. This permits the lid to be opened a little bit, just far enough to prevent suffocation and allow the person trapped inside to call for help. The second type of latch, the one that allows the lid to be fully raised, cannot be operated from inside. According to the regulations, people should be able to exit the trunk on their own accord.
Ferrari will be notifying clients who have purchased the cars that are involved in this recent Ferrari recalls 3,000 cars. Meanwhile, the Ferrari dealers will be further modifying the parts that are involved in this matter, so that the latch will work by opening the front trunk all the way.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
