You’re at a stoplight. A Maserati Levante pulls up next to you, the exhaust note sounding like a literal symphony. It’s gorgeous. It’s Italian. It’s also, if you believe the internet, a ticking time bomb of repair bills and electrical gremlins.
So, is Maserati a reliable car?
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Honestly, it depends on who you ask. If you ask a guy who just traded in a 2012 Quattroporte that he bought from a "no credit check" lot, he’ll tell you it’s a nightmare. If you ask a 2026 Grecale owner who follows the maintenance schedule like it's holy scripture, you’ll get a very different story.
Let’s be real: Maserati doesn't have the "set it and forget it" reputation of a Lexus. Not even close. But the narrative that they’re all junk is a bit outdated. In the last few years, especially since moving under the Stellantis umbrella and launching the Nettuno V6, the brand has made some massive leaps.
The Reality of Maserati Reliability in 2026
We have to look at the numbers. J.D. Power and Consumer Reports aren't always kind to the Trident. In the 2025 dependability studies, Maserati often floats near the bottom half of the luxury segment. Why? It’s usually not the engine exploding.
It’s the little stuff.
Electronic sensors that act up when it’s too humid. Infotainment screens that freeze for five seconds when you’re trying to use CarPlay. These are "quality" issues more than "reliability" issues in the traditional sense, but when you pay $100k, they feel the same.
What Actually Breaks?
If you're looking at a used model, say 2017 to 2022, there are a few common headaches:
- Electrical Gremlins: Battery drain is a real thing. If you don't drive these cars frequently, the complex electronics can eat the battery alive.
- Suspension Noise: The adaptive air suspension in the Levante and older Quattroportes is brilliant for handling, but those air struts are expensive to replace once they start leaking.
- Brake Wear: These are heavy, fast cars. Owners often find themselves needing new pads and rotors much sooner than they would in a BMW or Audi.
The Ferrari Engine Factor
For years, the biggest selling point of a Maserati was the Ferrari-built V8 or V6 under the hood. While that sounds cool at a party, it’s a double-edged sword for reliability. Ferrari engines are high-strung. They need specialized technicians.
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However, as of 2024, the Ferrari engine deal has officially ended.
Maserati is now using the Nettuno V6, an in-house engine developed in Modena. It’s a beast. In the 2026 Grecale, Maserati actually dropped the four-cylinder base engine entirely in favor of a detuned version of this V6. Early data suggests the Nettuno is more robust for daily driving, though it still demands premium maintenance.
Maintenance vs. Reliability: The Crucial Distinction
People often call a car "unreliable" when what they actually mean is "it's expensive to maintain."
A Maserati isn't a Toyota. You can't skip an oil change and expect it to be fine. An annual service for a Maserati GranTurismo or Grecale can easily run you $1,200 to $2,500. If you wait for something to break, you’ve already lost.
The "Reliability Index" in the UK once gave Maserati a score of 774 (where a lower score is better). For context, a Mazda might be around 60. That's a huge gap. But that index factors in the cost of the repair, not just the frequency. A sensor on a Ghibli might cost three times as much as a sensor on a Honda, which tanks the "reliability" score even if it only breaks once every five years.
Is the 2026 Maserati Grecale Actually... Good?
Surprisingly, yes.
The Grecale is the brand's attempt to actually compete with the Porsche Macan on a build-quality level. It’s built on the "Giorgio" platform—the same one used for the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which is famous for being one of the best-handling chassis in the world.
Reports from the 2025 and 2026 model years show that Maserati has finally figured out their interior electronics. The screens are snappy. The "Maserati Intelligent Assistant" (MIA) is actually intuitive. It feels like a car designed for the 2020s, not a legacy brand trying to play catch-up.
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Actionable Advice for Future Owners
If you're dead set on owning a Trident, don't just walk into a dealership blindly. There's a "right" way to own a Maserati that keeps it reliable.
- CPO is the Only Way: Never, ever buy a Maserati without a warranty. A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty can save you $10,000 in a single visit.
- The Battery Tender Rule: If the car is going to sit for more than three days, plug it into a battery tender. Most electrical "failures" in these cars are actually just low-voltage issues causing the computer to freak out.
- Find an Independent Specialist: Once you’re out of warranty, dealership labor rates will ruin you. Find a local mechanic who specializes in Italian cars. They usually have the same diagnostic tools for half the price.
- Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI): If buying used, pay a pro to look at the subframe and the cam covers for oil leaks. These are known Maserati "character flaws" that can be spotted before you sign the check.
Maserati is a brand for people who value emotion over logic. It’s for the person who wants the best-sounding engine in the parking lot and is willing to pay the "Italian tax" to get it. It won't be the most reliable car you've ever owned, but with the new 2026 models, it's finally a car you can actually rely on for the daily commute—as long as you keep your wallet ready for the service intervals.
Next Steps for You
- Check the specific service history if you're looking at a 2021-2023 Levante; this was a transition period for their electronics.
- Compare the insurance premiums between a Maserati and a Porsche, as the "exotic" status often leads to a 20-30% higher monthly rate.
- Verify if your local independent shop has the specific diagnostic software for the new Nettuno engines before buying a 2024 or newer model.