2012 Ducati Diavel

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) based on twenty-two (22) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for soft rear brakes caused by air seeping into the rear brake lines of model year (MY) 2012-2020 Ducati Monster, Multistrada, SuperSport, Panigale, Scrambler and Diavel motorcycles.The consumers were alleging that the rear brakes would not properly function unless the rear brake pedal was applied several times or that there was a total loss of rear braking during normal applications, increasing the risk of a crash. In a March 2020 meeting, Ducati indicated that they were aware of certain models in which air may enter the motorcycles' rear braking system through the brake lines, due to exposure to heat from the exhaust system. Although this condition compromises rear braking performance, Ducati stated that they did not consider this to be a safety defect because the front and rear brake systems are hydraulically independent from each other, and a motorcycle's front brake system performs most of the stopping. Additionally, they believed that routine brake fluid replacement would resolve consumers' concerns, however complainants and dealership service technicians reported that, in some cases, after a dealer serviced the rear brake system, the rear brake pedal would feel soft and spongy again (indicating compromised brake performance) less than a year later--well before the recommended two-year brake fluid service interval. As a precaution, Ducati issued a series of technical service bulletins (TSBs) to replace the brake lines with redesigned ones, rerouting them away from the exhaust system.ODI's position is that all of the brakes on a motorcycle are considered necessary for safety. Analysis of the data identified that neither the entire model line nor the entire model year range of motorcycles covered by the investigation were affected, but rather certain sub-models or narrower model year ranges of motorcycles incorporated brake lines with a higher exposure to the heat from the exhaust system. Because of the unique routing of each model's brake line, some motorcycles are more susceptible to the condition than others. As these specific models and model years were most likely to exhibit an increased risk of a crash from the lengthened stopping distance, Ducati converted the previously issued TSBs into a safety recall.After receiving a total of 94 VOQs, ODI is closing this PE with Ducati's safety recall 21V-315. With the recall action taken by Ducati, this investigation is closed. However, the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist on other models or MY vehicles outside of the recall scope. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

DUCATI DIAVEL MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN ENGINE WHINING NOISES- DISCOVERS NUMEROUS METAL PARTICLES WITHIN THE CRANK CASE- EROSION OF THE INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS WAS NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION AND THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN. *JS

NHTSA ID

11001068

Incident

Aug 19, 2013

CPSC: I1480595A. DUCATI DIAVEL MOTORCYCLE. CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE HAD NO WORKING REAR BRAKES. *LN

NHTSA ID

10637894

Incident

Aug 31, 2014

WHEN I RECEIVED THIS MOTORCYCLE SECOND HAND, IT WAS JUST ABOUT OUT OF WARRANTY. I DID TAKE IT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR SERVICE AND NOTED TO THEM THAT THE REAR BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING WELL AT ALL. THE SAID THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO FIX IT BUT NOT TO KEEP MY HOPES TOO HIGH! I FOUND OUT LATER FROM A SALES MANAGER THAT THE REAR BRAKES ON DUCATI'S ARE NOTORIOUSLY POOR. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE REAR BRAKE LINE BLED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THAT ONLY HELPED SLIGHTLY AND FOR A SHORT PERIOD. ALTHOUGH THE FRONT BRAKES ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT ON A MOTORCYCLE, THE REAR BRAKE HAS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AS WELL. FIRST, IT CAN ADD 15% OR MORE TO PURE STOPPING POWER. ALSO, BEING ABLE TO USE A REAR BRAKE (FEATHERING IT) WHILE MAKING A TURN HELPS CONTROL THE BIKE. USING THE FRONT BRAKE CAN CAUSE A CRASH. NOT HAVING A USABLE REAR BRAKE THEREFORE IS NOT GOOD. I HAVE ALERTED DUCATI ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY PROMISED TO HAVE THE USA DIVISION CONTACT ME, WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED IN THE PAST MONTH SINCE I COMPLAINED. SINCE THE BIKE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, I FEEL I WOULD BE WASTING MY TIME TO KEEP BRINGING INTO A DEALER TO FIX AND UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT AND THAT ALL MOTORCYCLES SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT REAR BRAKE SYSTEMS PUT INTO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IT APPEARS THAT AT LEAST SOME HIGH END EUROPEAN BIKES DO NOT PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO MAKING QUALITY REAR BRAKES. BY THE WAY, I ALSO LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH THE CPSC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10629684

Incident

Sep 8, 2013

Mileage

2,500 mi

HANDLEBAR WAS LOCKING WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SHOULD UPDATE THE SOFTWARE BUT DIDN'T WORK. THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE UNIT AND NOW LOOKS GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10523714

Incident

Jun 29, 2013

Mileage

7,300 mi

I JUST BOUGHT A DUCATI DIAVEL 2012 AND WHILE DRIVING THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED, I ALMOST WENT THROUGH TRAFFIC WITHOUT BRAKES THEN FLAMING BRAKE PARTS OF THE BIKE FLEW OFF AND MELTED IN THE STREET. THEN BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED ALL OVER THE BACK OF THE BIKE. THE ROTORS WERE SCARED AND THERE WERE CHIPS OF THE BIKE ON THE REAR WHEEL. BRAKE FLUID SPAYED EVERYWHERE AND THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE PEDDLE WAS IN A 5 O'CLOCK POSITION. THE BIKE DROPPED BECAUSE I WAS STARTLED AND GRIPPED THE FRONT BRAKE. I HAD TO RIDE HOME WITH ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE BRAKE PAD MELTED INTO THE ASPHALT OF THE STREET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10485447

Incident

Nov 9, 2012

Mileage

56 mi

Procedure for Assessing Front Fork Oil Leaks. Applicability: All Models. This service repair bulletin informs dealers and service managers of the assessment criteria for identifying front fork-related defects. The purpose is prevent technicians from mistaking oozing oil or assembly grease, for legitimate defects. The bulletin further provides examples and pictures for clarification.

Tips & Tricks Summary Rev. 14 Summary: Applicability: Availability and characteristic of Akrapovic Racing Exhaust Part no. 96482291AA for the Multistrada V4 Rally. Abnormal play of passenger seat, and squeak coming from the front wheel when moving the motorcycle for the Diavel, and slight front end vibrations when braking at low speeds on the DesertX.

Tips & Tricks Summary Rev. 10 Summary. water radiator electric fan motors replacement, BBS fuse replacement and BBS software updates for the Diavel; new brake fluid reservoir bracket part number for the Panigale; water pump gear oil seal deficiency, and modifying the tightening torque of the foot peg holder plate and stand support fixing screws for a all models.

Tips and Tricks Revision 9 Summary. Front fork leg seal indication, fuel tank filler plug improvements, and DQS error code information for the Multistrada; rider seat cover creases for the Diavel; timing layshift seal removal and water pump gear oil seal deficiency for a all models.

Guided Diagnosis for Front Brake System Bleeding. Applicability: All Models. This Service Bulletin replaces and cancels the previous bulletin SRV-SRB-20-014 published on 4/17/2020. It provides dealers and service managers with needed information to correctly bleed the front brake system of the various Ducati models. This bulletin further refers the reader to an attached diagnosis guide. The referenced guide/annex is available to NHTSA upon request.

Finial Drive Chain Maintenance Precautions. Applicability: All Models and Model Years (except XDiavel). This Service Bulletin replaces and cancels the previous bulletins: SRV-SRB-18-030 published on 05/11/2018, SRV-SRB-19-046 published on 12/31/2019, SRV-SRB-20-050 published on 11/24/2020. It provides dealers and service managers additional final drive chain care to ensure optimum performance and longevity for the chain. this includes cleaning, lubricating, inspecting and tension guidelines.