2005 Ducati Monster S2 R Fuel system Problems

PLASTIC GAS TANK HAS EXPANDED AND WARPED, CAUSING TANK VENTS TO STOP WORKING EFFECTIVELY. GASOLINE NOW LEAKS AND SPRAYS EXTENSIVELY FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK, COVERING THE TANK AND SURROUNDING AREAS WITH GASOLINE. GASOLINE ALSO LEAKS EXTENSIVELY FROM THE OVERFLOW TUBE ONTO MY GARAGE FLOOR. THE EXPANSION HAS ALSO MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCESS THE FRONT TANK RELEASE LATCH. I MAINLY OBSERVE THIS WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. THE GASOLINE FUMES ARE ALWAYS PRESENT IN THE GARAGE. WHILE I HAVE NOT OBSERVED IT, I SUSPECT THIS LEAKING AND SPRAYING ALSO HAPPENS WHILE RIDING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. THE CONSTANT PRESENCE OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE THE TANK IS UNSAFE. ON 3-17-17, THE DUCATI DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THE PLASTIC TANK WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC TANK FOR $1,200. THAT IS NOT AN ADEQUATE SOLUTION. THESE PLASTIC TANKS EXPAND AND WARP OVER TIME. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT TANK EXPANDS AND WARPS.

NHTSA ID

10966646

Incident

Mar 17, 2017

Mileage

8,000 mi

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK ON THIS AND OTHER DUCATI MOTORCYCLES EXPAND WITH GENERALLY AVAILABLE NORTH AMERICAN GASOLINE, SUCH THAT THE TANK CANNOT BE ATTACHED TO THE FRONT ATTACHMENT AT THE IGNITION KEY AREA, NEAR THE HANDLE BARS. THIS MAKES THE FUEL TANK NOT SECURED TO THE FORWARD PART OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS LEAVES ONLY ONE ATTACHMENT, AT THE REAR HINGE, SO IF THE MOTORCYCLE CRASHES OR IS DROPPED THE FORWARD PART OF THE FUEL TANK WILL POP AWAY FROM THE FRAME, PROBABLY LEAKING AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO RUPTURE BEING PLASTIC. DUCATI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THESE DEFECTIVE TANKS (INCLUDING MINE) PURSUANT TO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. UNFORTUNATELY DUCATI USED OTHER ALSO DEFECTIVE TANKS (SAME EXPANSION DEFECT WITH NO WARNING OF FUEL NOT TO USE - IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM) TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE EXPANDED TANKS. DUCATI REFUSED MY REQUEST IT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. MY MOTORCYCLE IS NOW DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE, A FIRE HAZARD, NOT SUITABLE FOR USE AND WOULD FAIL A SAFETY INSPECTION MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE ON HAWAII ROADS.

NHTSA ID

10822360

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

6,000 mi

AFTER SEVERAL TANK REPLACEMENT BY DUCATI THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. TANK KEEPS SWELLING AND PUTS STRESS ON THE LATCH SO THAT IT CAN'T BE UNLATCH TO GET TO THE BATTERY OR FOR SERVICE . TANK ALSO DOESN'T SIT FIRM ON FRAME AT PIK SWELLING TIME . TANK ALSO LEAKS FUEL AT BOTTOM AROUND SEAL WHILE SWELLING IS AT MAX. FUEL GOES ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND FLOOR .DEALER SALES K 100 FUEL ADDITIVE FOR ETHANOL PROBLEMS SINCE DUCATI PERSIST ON NOT CHANGING TANK FOR A IMPROVED MATERIAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10676839

Incident

Jan 20, 2015

Mileage

37,000 mi

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK HAS EXPANDED DUE TO ETHANOL IN THE GASOLINE. IT IS PRESSING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CAN NO LONGER BE MOUNTED OR REMOVED IN THE NORMAL FASHION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509341

Incident

Apr 23, 2013

PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS SWOLLEN OR WARPED MAKING IT HARD TO LIFT THE TANK FOR SERVICE. ALSO, TANK DOESN'T SIT CORRECTLY ON THE FRAME, THE RUBBER FRAME BUMPERS SEEM TO HAVE MOVED OUTWARD ENOUGH TO NOT SIT FLUSH WITH THE FRAME. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS MODELS IN THE DUCATI LINE WITH PLASTIC FUEL TANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10436804

Incident

Nov 22, 2011

I OWN A 2005 DUCATI S2R 800 MOTORCYCLE. MY FUEL TANK HAS EXPANDED BEYOND THE POINT WHERE THE PAINT HAS STARTED TO CRACK AND IT HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE LATCH TO GET ACCESS TO THE BATTERY AND OTHER COMPONENTS. I HAVE ALREADY HEARD THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE WITH CERTAIN DUCATI FUEL TANKS. DUCATI HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE TANK DAMAGE AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC, HE TOLD ME THAT THE TANK WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND POSSIBLY LEAK MORE GASOLINE AS TIME GOES ON. I DON'T WANT TO IMAGINE WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN AS THE TANK CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND GASOLINE CONTINUES TO LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10399456

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

5,500 mi

EXPANDING GAS TANK IN 2005 DUCATI MONSTER POSES RISK OF LEAKING FUEL FROM WARPED FUEL PUMP O-RING GASKET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10395964

Incident

Apr 15, 2011

Mileage

5,000 mi

EXPANDING AND DEFORMING PLASTIC TANK. DUCATI USA REPLACED WITH THE SAME KIND OF TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10372595

Incident

Nov 10, 2010

Mileage

18,000 mi

NYLON FUEL TANK IS ABSORBING MOISTURE FROM FUEL AND SWELLING. SWELLING FUEL TANK IS CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION WHERE TANK MAY SPLIT RESULTING IN FAILURE, FIRE, OR OTHER HAZARD. SWOLLEN TANK IS ALSO PRESSING AGAINST OTHER SYSTEMS AND COULD CAUSE FAILURE TO START, FAILURE OR FRONT WHEEL TO TURN COMPLETELY, FAILURE OF SEAT LOCKING MECHANISM TO COMPLETELY ENGAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10355018

Incident

Jan 1, 2010

Mileage

5,000 mi

MY 2005 DUCATI MONSTER S2R800 HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK WHICH HAS BEGUN TO EXPAND. THE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS HAVE INCREASED AND IT DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THE FRAME AND IT NOW ITS GETTING CLOSE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. ITS THE ORIGINAL TANK , STARTED TO SHOW FEW BUBBLES HERE AND THERE! MIGHT BE WARPING! I WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY AND AS WELL OF OTHERS. AND HOPE THIS GETS RESOLVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342352

Incident

Jul 9, 2010

Mileage

4,300 mi

THE GAS TANK ON MY 2005 DUCATI MONSTER S2R IS EXPANDED AND IS CAUSING PROBLEMS COSMETICALLY, IN ITS FUNCTIONALITY AND WITH MY PERSONAL SAFETY. FIRSTLY THE STEERING STOPS ARE MAXED OUT AND MY HANDLEBAR CONTROLS HIT THE TANK CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE TANK IS VISIBLY WARPED ALONG BOTH SIDES. THE DUCATI MONSTER S2R TANK SHOULD ONLY HOLD 3 GALLONS WHEN FULL HOWEVER MY TANK CAN CARRY 3.4 GALLONS. THE PAINT IS CRACKING AROUND THE TANK LATCH WHICH IS PRESSING INTO THE CAP AROUND THE ANTENNA PORT. THE CONTROLS HITTING THE TANK WHILE RIDING CAN PINCH A RIDERS HAND CAUSING A CRASH. THE EXPANSION OF THE TANK CAN CAUSE A LEAK OF THE GASOLINE CAUSING NOT ONLY A DAMAGING EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO A SERIOUS RISK OF FIRE AND INJURY TO ME. ALSO THE TANK CAN CAUSE PRESSURE TO THE REAR SEAT LATCH CAUSING IT TO POP OFF DURING RIDING THUS CAUSING A CRASH AND INJURY. I BELIEVE THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION WOULD BE REPLACEMENT OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR A REPLACEMENT TO BE PURCHASED BY A LOCAL DEALER OR MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10340511

Incident

May 9, 2010

Mileage

6,000 mi

THE GAS TANK ON MY 2006 DUCATI S2R HAS BECOME DEFORMED AND IS EXPANDING. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED. IT STARTED ABOUT ONE OR TWO YEARS AGO<CLOSER TO TWO YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10339515

Incident

Mar 1, 2008

Mileage

7,000 mi

MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK WHICH HAS BEGUN TO EXPAND. THE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS OF THE TANK HAVE INCREASED AND IT NOW DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THE FRAME, THE HANDLEBARS HIT IT ON TURNING, AND IT PRESSES AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH. PREVIOUSLY IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, NOW I HAVE TO WEDGE IT AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CLOSE IT. THE RUBBER MOUNTS NO LONGER SIT ON THE FRAME. I HAVE NOT MODIFIED MY MOTORCYCLE EXCEPT FOR SOME COSMETIC CHANGES. I HAVE MADE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE FUEL TANK OR FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO DUCATI NORTH AMERICA (THE IMPORTER/FACTORY). TO DATE, I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK ABOUT THE CLAIM. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS MOTORCYCLE NOW. THE TANK'S SWELLING HAS MADE IT SO THE HANDLEBARS DO NOT TURN CORRECTLY. IF THE TANK SWELLS ENOUGH, IT WILL SPLIT OPEN AND I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM RIDING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10339409

Incident

May 15, 2010

Mileage

7,000 mi

THE PLASTIC GAS TANK ON MY MOTORCYCLE IS EXPANDING CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO LATCH TO THE MOTORCYCLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10339318

Incident

May 11, 2010

Mileage

4,581 mi

PLASTIC TANK ON MOTORCYCLE EXPANDS TO THE POINT WHERE IGNITION SWITCH IS PUSHED UP AND TANK DOES NOT SIT PROPERLY ON FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336846

Incident

Jan 1, 2007

Mileage

3,000 mi

MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK THAT HAS STARTED TO EXPAND. THE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS OF THE TANK HAVE INCREASED TO POINT THAT THE ORIGINAL RUBBER GUARDS NO LONGER TOUCH THE FRAME. THE HANDLEBARS HIT THE TANK WHEN ATTEMPTING A FULL TURN TO THE RIGHT - THIS DID NOT HAPPEN BEFORE. COSMETICALLY, I HAVE NOTICED THE APPEARANCE OF PIMPLES ON THE SURFACE OF THE TANK. I HAVE NOT MODIFIED MY MOTORCYCLE AT ALL - IT IS COMPLETELY STOCK. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY MOTORCYCLE AS I DO NOT KNOW WHEN MY GAS TANK COULD SPLIT OPEN. THE CONTROLS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE ALSO BEEN JEOPARDIZED AS THE HANDLEBARS DO NOT TURN PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336266

Incident

Jun 10, 2010

Mileage

6,000 mi

THE GAS TANK OF MY MOTORCYCLE IS EXPANDING. THE TANK IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND OVER TIME, THE TANK EXPANDS SO THAT IT RUBS AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT IS VERY HARD TO LIFT THE TANK TO SERVICE THE BIKE. DUE TO THE SWELLING, IT ALSO MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO RE-SECURE THE TANK. THE TANK HAS EXPANDED TO THE POINT THAT IT DOES NOT ALIGHT RIGHT WITH THE FRAME TO THE POINT WHERE THE RUBBER MOUNTS ARE NO LONGER CENTERED ON THE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10330989

Incident

Mar 6, 2010

Mileage

16,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005 DUCATI MONSTER S2R800. THE FUEL TANK BEGAN TO DISTORT IN SHAPE. IT NO LONGER FIT PROPERLY ON THE FRAME. THE EXTERIOR STARTED SHOWING WARPING, AND "PIMPLE" LIKE BLEMISHES. THE TANK EXPANDED FAR ENOUGH WHERE IT STARTED TO RUB THE IGNITION KEY HOUSING. EVENTUALLY THE TANK HAD A VERY LIKELY CHANCE OF LEAKING ONCE THE KEY HOUSING RUBS THROUGH THE TANK. DUCATI REPLACED THE FUEL TANK UNDER EMISSION WARRANTY .THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REASSURE ME THAT THE REPLACEMENT TANK IS OF A NON WARPING MATERIAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315343

Incident

Mar 10, 2009

Mileage

6,000 mi

MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK WHICH HAS BEGUN TO EXPAND. THE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS OF THE TANK HAVE INCREASED AND IT NOW DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THE FRAME, THE HANDLE BARS HIT IT ON TURNING, AND IT PRESSES AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH. PREVIOUSLY IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, NOW I HAVE TO WEDGE IT AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CLOSE IT. THE RUBBER MOUNTS NO LONGER SIT ON THE FRAME CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFIED MY MOTORCYCLE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO DUCATI NORTH AMERICA (THE IMPORTER/FACTORY) AND THEY REPLACED THE TANK (OR REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TANK)... I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS MOTORCYCLE NOW. THE TANK'S SWELLING HAS MADE IT SO THE HANDLE BARS DO NOT TURN CORRECTLY. IF THE TANK SWELLS ENOUGH, IT WILL SPLIT OPEN AND I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM RIDING. *TW

NHTSA ID

10307132

Incident

Mar 9, 2009

Mileage

6,200 mi

MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK WHICH HAS BEGUN TO EXPAND. THE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS OF THE TANK HAVE INCREASED AND IT NOW DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THE FRAME, T. PREVIOUSLY IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, NOW I HAVE TO WEDGE IT AGAINST THE IGNITION/KEY SWITCH TO CLOSE IT. THE RUBBER MOUNTS NO LONGER SIT ON THE FRAME CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFIED MY MOTORCYCLE. THE BIKE IS SCHEDULED TO SOON BE EVALUATED BY THE DEALER, UPON WITCH DUCATI (MANUFACTURER) WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT A GOOD-WILL REPLACEMENT TANK (WHICH IS PRONE TO THE SAME ISSUES) WILL BE ISSUED. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS MOTORCYCLE NOW. THE TANK IS PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE TANK SWELLS ENOUGH, IT COULD SPLIT OPEN, OR BEGIN TO LEAK AT THE FUEL LINE FLANGES. I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM RIDING. PLEASE NOTE, BIKE IS MODEL YEAR 2006. MY MODEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE DROP-DOWN MENU FOR 2006, SO I USED 2005. BIKE IS 2006 DUCATI S2R-800. *TR

NHTSA ID

10305128

Incident

Oct 15, 2009

Mileage

4,000 mi

MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK WHICH HAS BEGUN TO EXPAND. THE OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS OF THE TANK HAVE INCREASED AND IT NOW DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THE FRAME, THE HANDLEBARS HIT IT ON TURNING, AND IT PRESSES AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH. PREVIOUSLY IT OPENED AND CLOSED WITHOUT PROBLEMS, NOW I HAVE TO WEDGE IT AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CLOSE IT. THE RUBBER MOUNTS NO LONGER SIT ON THE FRAME CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFIED MY MOTORCYCLE. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO DUCATI NORTH AMERICA (THE IMPORTER/FACTORY) AND THEY REPLACED THE TANK. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS MOTORCYCLE NOW. THE TANK'S SWELLING HAS MADE IT SO THE HANDLEBARS DO NOT TURN CORRECTLY. IF THE TANK SWELLS ENOUGH, IT WILL SPLIT OPEN AND I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM RIDING. ALTHOUGH DUCATI OF NORTH AMERICA HAS REPLACED MY TANK UNDER THE 5 YEAR EMISSIONS WARRANTY, MY BIKE IS AN '05, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF/WHEN THE TANK SWELLS AGAIN. NO MORE WARRANTY AND I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE ITEM AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10305013

Incident

Oct 1, 2009

Mileage

7,000 mi

DEAR SIR/MADAM- MY 2005 DUCATI MONSTER S2R HAS DEVELOPED A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE GAS TANK. THE TANK IS PLASTIC (FIRST YEAR DUCATI UTILIZED A PLASTIC TANK DESIGN) AND HAS DEVELOPED WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS LARGE "BLISTERS" ON THE SURFACE OF THE TANK. ALSO, THE TANKS OVERALL SIZE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED, AS IF IT IS SWELLING. SO MUCH SO IN FACT, THAT THE RUBBER MOUNTS THAT SUPPORT THE TANK ON THE FRAME NO LONGER LINE UP WITH THE FRAME BUT RATHER HANG OFF OF IT, PLACING WHAT I WOULD PRESUME TO BE UNDUE PRESSURE ON THE SMALL LATCH THAT SECURES THE TANK TO THE FRAME. I AM CONCERNED THAT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, THIS DISTORTED TANK SHAPE WILL LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE TANK TO CONTAIN THE FUEL OR THAT THE TANK WILL COME OFF WHILE RIDING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10302058

Incident

Jan 23, 2010

Mileage

5,000 mi

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK ON MY 2005 DUCATI MONSTER IS SWELLING. THE RUBBER MOUNTS THAT SET ON THE FRAME ARE NOW ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE THEY DON'T CONTACT THE FRAME. THERE ARE NOTICEABLE RIPPLES ON THE SIDE OF THE TANK. IT HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE TANK CLOSING LATCH TO THE POINT WHERE IT HAS TO BE MANIPULATED TO LIFT THE TANK FOR MAINTENANCE VERSUS JUST A SIMPLE LIFTING OF THE LATCH W/ NO EFFORT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE CONTINUED SWELLING WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE TANK TO SEPARATE AND LEAK FUEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294583

Incident

Sep 1, 2009

Mileage

14,000 mi

MY MOTORCYCLE HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK THAT HAS BEGUN EXPANDING/SWELLING. THE DIMENSIONS OF THE TANK HAVE INCREASED ENOUGH THAT IT NO LONGER SITS PROPERLY ON THE FRAME RAILS AND CAN SHIFT TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE IGNITION AND DAMAGE THE PAINT. ADDITIONALLY, THE TANK HAS SWOLLEN ENOUGH TO PRESSES DIRECTLY AGAINST THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM THE REAR. IT PREVIOUSLY HAD AT LEAST AN INCH CLEARANCE THAT ALLOWED THE TANK TO OPEN AND CLOSE WITHOUT PROBLEMS (IT IS ON A HINGE), BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE THE LATCH, AS IT IS WEDGED AGAINST THE IGNITION MODULE I HAVE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFIED MY MOTORCYCLE EXCEPT FOR SOME COSMETIC CHANGES. I HAVE MADE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE FUEL SYSTEM AT ALL, INCLUDING THE FUEL TANK OR FUEL PUMP. I TOOK THE BIKE TO THE DEALER WHO SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO DUCATI NORTH AMERICA (THE IMPORTER/FACTORY). I AM WAITING TO HEAR AS TO WHETHER THE TANK WILL BE REPLACED. EVEN IF IT IS REPLACED, I HAVE NO FAITH THAT THE REPLACEMENT WILL PERFORM ANY BETTER, OR THAT IT WILL BE REPLACED WHEN THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. I'VE BECOME VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THIS MOTORCYCLE. IF THE TANK CONTINUES TO SWELL, IT WILL CONTACT THE HANDLEBARS AND IMPINGE ON THE TURNING RADIUS. ADDITIONALLY, I'M CONCERNED THAT THE TANK WILL REACH A POINT OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, CAUSING IT TO BURST DURING USE, RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10282444

Incident

Jun 1, 2008

Mileage

2,000 mi

THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK ON MY 2005 DUCATI S2R 800 IS SWELLING/DEFORMING. THE SWELLING IS CAUSING COSMETIC AND STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK. COSMETICALLY, THERE ARE RIPPLES AND BULGES ALL OVER THE TANK. STRUCTURALLY, THE TANK HAS SWOLLEN SO MUCH THAT THE HANDLEBARS HIT THE TANK AND STEERING IS LIMITED. THE TANK HAS ALSO SWOLLEN SO MUCH THAT THE TANK SUPPORT PADS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK BARELY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FRAME OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE TANK HAS SWOLLEN AROUND THE IGNITION AREA SUCH THAT THE IGNITION FASCIA IS RUBBING A HOLE THROUGH THE TANK ITSELF. FINALLY, THE FRONT TANK LATCH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO RELEASE AND OR RE-LATCH DUE TO THE SWELLING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10282307

Incident

Aug 30, 2008

Mileage

9,000 mi