Maserati's first SUV combined Italian luxury with a 3.0 twin-turbo V6 producing 350 PS and 500 Nm. Maserati Powertrain developed that engine and Ferrari manufactures it in Maranello, which is not the same as it being a Ferrari design. It is paired with ZF's 8HP automatic and Q4 all-wheel drive, which normally sends all torque rearwards and varies to 50:50 when grip demands it. The Levante offered a distinctive alternative to the German luxury SUV establishment, with a characteristic exhaust note courtesy of pneumatic bypass valves. Heavy depreciation from original list prices above €80,000 has made these accessible, but running costs remain firmly in the luxury bracket due to Maserati-specific parts, air suspension complexity, and specialist labor requirements.· more· less
Maserati V6 built by Ferrari, with great soundHeavy depreciation lowers entry price
Expensive parts and specialist laborAir suspension is a known weak point
Buy if: You want an Italian luxury SUV with genuine character and can budget for specialist maintenance, ideally at a Maserati-experienced independent garage.
Avoid if: You expect mainstream SUV running costs despite the low used price, or cannot absorb surprise repair bills in the €2,000-5,000 range.
Air springs leak and compressor burns out from overwork, typically after 60,000-100,000 km · more· less
The Levante uses air suspension as standard, and the system is a known weak point. When an air spring develops a slow leak, the compressor runs continuously to compensate and eventually fails. Symptoms include the car sitting unevenly after standing overnight, suspension warning messages, and an audible compressor running at startup. An aftermarket compressor costs around €500, while OEM parts are considerably more. The system requires nitrogen refilling after compressor replacement. Individual air struts cost €800-1,500 each depending on source (front struts are more expensive than rear air springs at around €300 each). Cars equipped with the Skyhook adaptive damping system add complexity, as the electronically controlled dampers can also fail separately. Total cost for compressor plus one or two air struts reaches €3,000-5,000 at a Maserati dealer. Forum reports suggest this affects a meaningful proportion of cars beyond 80,000 km.
Electrical system and sensor malfunctions
up to €2,5002 of 6
Multiple electrical gremlins including sensors, infotainment freezing, and module failures · more· less
Electrical issues are widely reported across all Levante model years, though early cars (2016-2018) are more heavily affected. Problems range from infotainment screen freezing and random reboots, to malfunctioning parking sensors, failing rear hatch releases, side mirrors not folding, and door lock malfunctions. The infotainment system is particularly prone to crashes and can require software updates or hardware replacement. The Body Control Module (BCM) can cause parasitic battery drain, leaving the car dead after a few days of standing. Individual sensor replacements are typically €200-500, but the cumulative effect of multiple small electrical failures is what drives costs up. Maserati has released several OTA updates to address software bugs, and post-2020 cars show improved electronic reliability.
Premature and uneven tire wear
up to €1,5003 of 6
Factory alignment settings cause aggressive inner tire wear, often within 10,000-15,000 km · more· less
This is one of the most frequently reported Levante complaints. The factory alignment specification uses aggressive negative camber and toe settings, causing premature inner edge wear on both front and rear tires. Many owners report tires worn to the metal on the inside while outer tread still appears adequate, sometimes within just 10,000-15,000 km. Some dealerships have reportedly told owners to expect only 12,000 km from a set of tires. Forum consensus is that a professional alignment to more conservative settings (closer to neutral toe) significantly improves tire life. The staggered tire sizes (265 front, 295 rear) mean replacing a full set costs €800-1,500 depending on brand and wheel size (19, 20, or 21 inch). This is partially a cost-of-ownership characteristic rather than a defect, but the factory settings make it worse than it needs to be.
Excessive oil consumption
up to €1,5004 of 6
Some V6 petrol engines consume oil faster than expected, around 1 litre per 5,000 km · more· less
Several owners of the 3.0 V6 petrol have reported oil consumption of approximately 1 litre per 5,000 km, which Maserati considers within acceptable limits for a twin-turbo engine. At lower mileages this may simply require regular top-ups between services (the engine takes up to 8.3 litres of expensive 10W-60 oil including the filter). However, persistent high consumption beyond 100,000 km can indicate turbo seal wear or valve guide issues, potentially requiring more significant repair. Using the correct oil specification (10W-60 for the petrol S/base variants) is critical. The cost is modest if limited to top-ups but escalates if the root cause is mechanical.
Infotainment and rearview camera software failure
up to €1,2005 of 6
Screen goes black, rearview camera image disappears, system requires software update or hardware replacement · more· less
The Levante's infotainment system is a recurring pain point. The touchscreen can freeze, go completely black, or fail to boot past the Maserati logo. The rearview camera is affected by a known software bug where the radio module interferes with the camera signal, prompting a recall for 2021-2024 models (recall #740, February 2025). For pre-2021 cars, the infotainment unit may need a software reflash (€200-400 at a dealer) or in some cases hardware replacement of the MTC head unit (€800-1,200). Maserati has released multiple software updates, and ensuring the latest firmware is installed significantly reduces the frequency of these issues.
Battery drain and parasitic draw
up to €8006 of 6
Car goes flat after standing for a few days due to parasitic drain from modules that fail to sleep · more· less
Multiple Levante owners report the car going completely dead after standing for as little as 3-5 days. The root cause is typically a module (often the air suspension controller or infotainment system) that fails to enter sleep mode, drawing excessive current. Normal parasitic draw should be under 50 mA, but affected cars can draw several hundred milliamps. In one documented case, the keyless entry system was drawing 28 amps when the key fob was within range. Solutions include ECU reprogramming (often resolves it), disabling the easy entry/exit system, or using a trickle charger. A new AGM battery costs €250-400, and dealer diagnosis runs €150-300.
Characterful but requires proactive maintenance and a repair budget
The V6 itself is generally robust and capable of high mileages when properly maintained with the correct oil and regular service intervals. The main ownership concerns center on the air suspension system, electrical gremlins, and the aggressive tire wear caused by factory alignment settings. Post-2020 cars show improved electronic reliability. The Levante rewards careful pre-purchase inspection and ongoing maintenance at a Maserati-experienced specialist, and owners who budget accordingly often report satisfying long-term experiences.
Service history
Complete Maserati dealer or recognized specialist records essential. Verify oil changes every 12 months/20,000 km with correct 10W-60 specification.
Tires
Check tread depth on inner edges specifically. Uneven wear is common. Check tire age codes and remaining tread on all four corners.
Cold start
Start the engine completely cold. Listen for any unusual turbo whine, rattling, or misfires in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including varied speeds. Monitor for suspension warning messages, EPC lights, or infotainment glitches.
Specific for this vehicle
Check air suspension carefully
Observe whether the car sits level after standing overnight. Listen for the compressor running at startup. Cycle through all ride height settings and verify each corner responds equally.
Test all electrical systems thoroughly
Operate every button, switch, and screen function. Test parking sensors, rearview camera, door locks, mirror folding, and rear hatch operation. Check for infotainment freezing.
Inspect inner tire edges for premature wear
Look at the inner tread of all four tires. Aggressive wear on the inside with good tread on the outside indicates the known alignment issue.
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Check oil level and condition
Verify the oil is at the correct level and appears clean. Low oil between services may indicate consumption issues.
Verify all recall work has been completed
The Levante has multiple recalls across different model years. Request a Maserati dealer VIN check for the 2016 head and side airbag alert, subframe welds (2018), headlight alignment (2019), fuel line sensor (2021-2022) and the cold-weather camera issue, and ask which of the North American campaigns have a European equivalent for this car.
Test battery health
If possible, check the battery voltage after the car has stood for at least a day. Voltage below 12.4V after standing may indicate parasitic drain.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Right side head and side airbag may not deploy - EU Safety Gate alert A12/0166/17, certain 2016 Levante, VIN check requiredCritical - verify completed
Incomplete front subframe welds, potential loss of vehicle control (2018)Critical - verify completed
Adaptive headlight (AFLS) misalignment above maximum gradient (2019)Verify completed
Fuel line sensor housing crack and fuel leak risk (2021-2022)Critical - verify completed
Backup camera disabled in freezing temperatures due to telematics module (2017, built Jul-Nov 2016)Verify completed
The Levante has an extensive recall history spanning its entire production run, though several of the campaigns quoted for it were issued to North American dealers and do not establish European applicability. Contact Maserati with the VIN to verify which campaigns apply to this car and that each was completed. The 2016 airbag alert and the subframe weld recall (2018) are the safety-critical European entries.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / unlimited km)Expired on most used Levante models
Extended warrantyAvailable through Maserati dealers, typically €2,000-3,500/year
Anti-corrosion warranty (4 years, renewable annually)Extension beyond 4 years requires annual inspection and maintenance conditions to be met
Most used Levante models are now outside their original 3-year factory warranty. Maserati offers extended warranty programs through their dealer network, but coverage can be limited and exclusions apply (check specifics carefully). An extended warranty can provide peace of mind given the air suspension and electrical complexity, but verify exactly what is covered before purchasing.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
