2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs

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.

THE REAR BRAKE IS INEFFECTIVE AT ANY SPEED. THE BLEEDER SCREW IS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CALIPER AND IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PROPERLY BLEED. THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE CALIPER IS TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING THE FLUID IN THE LINE TO BOIL. I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN THINK OF TO FIX THESE ISSUES BUT THE BRAKE IS STILL INEFFECTIVE.

NHTSA ID

11398784

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

THE REAR BRAKE BECOMES USELESS AFTER BLEEDING BY THE DEALER. THEY TESTED THE SYSTEM AND REPORTED IT HOLDS PRESSURE WITH NO ISSUE YET AFTER TIME TYPICALLY WITHIN 12 MONTHS THE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURS. THE ONLY REASONING GIVEN IS DESIGN WITH LOCATION TOO CLOSE TO THE HEAT SOURCE. THESE BIKES ARE NOT ENTRY LEVEL SO IT ONLY DUE TO THE EXPERIENCE OF THE RIDERS THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FATALITY DUE TO NO REAR BRAKE.

NHTSA ID

11142360

Incident

Oct 21, 2018

Mileage

18,500 mi

THE REAR BRAKE HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE AMONG OWNERS (AND DUCATI MECHANICS). DUCATI IS ALSO WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT OFFERED ANY TYPE OF FIX. THE PROBLEM IS THAT NO MATTER HOW OFTEN ONE BLEEDS THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, WITHIN JUST A FEW HUNDRED MILES, THE REAR BRAKE NO LONGER HAS ANY EFFECT ON THE BIKE'S SPEED. IF ONE GOES MUCH PAST 700-800 MILES, THE BRAKE PEDAL SIMPLY GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN, DOING NOTHING AT ALL. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT THE BIKE IN DECEMBER 2012. DUCATI HAS REPLACED THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER TWICE, BUT AGAIN, WITHIN JUST A FEW HUNDRED MILES, THE BRAKES ARE GONE. ACCORDING TO DUCATI MECHANICS AND OTHER RIDERS WHO HAVE THIS ISSUE, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROUTED MUCH TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VERY HIGH HEAT CAUSES THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL AND GREATLY REDUCES THE EFFICIENCY OF THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE NEEDED TO FORCE THE BRAKE CALIPERS TO "GRAB" THE BRAKE DISC. I HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 10 OTHER MOTORCYCLES (INCLUDING 4 DUCATIS) AND NONE HAVE EVER HAD ANY BRAKING ISSUES LIKE THIS. ADDITIONALLY, BECAUSE OF THE POOR DESIGN OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, THE REAR CALIPER MUST BE REMOVED AND HUNG HIGHER THAN ITS NORMAL MOUNTING POINT WHEN BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF THIS ISN'T DONE, THE OLD FLUID AND ANY BUBBLES IN THE LINE WILL NOT BE PURGED FROM THE LINE. THIS MAKES BLEEDING THE BRAKES A NEAR FUTILE EXERCISE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DUCATI COME UP WITH SOME SORT OF PERMANENT FIX SO I WILL HAVE RELIABLE REAR BRAKES.

NHTSA ID

11132335

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

1,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200 ABS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF FIRST AND SECOND GEAR WHEN UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT DRUM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,600. MAILED OUT 01/13/15*LJ

NHTSA ID

10661906

Incident

Sep 1, 2014

Mileage

9,600 mi

THE REAR BRAKE DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. I HAVE ASKED DUCATI TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND AFTER 4 SEPARATE REPAIR SESSIONS IT IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THIS WILL CAUSE NO REAR BRAKES NEEDS A OFFICIAL RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ID

10611150

Incident

Apr 18, 2012

Mileage

20 mi

REAR BRAKE IS INEFFECTIVE, PEDAL HAS EXCESSIVE TRAVEL AND SOFT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574430

Incident

Mar 24, 2014

Mileage

7,500 mi

REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. NOTED TO BE INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE STOPPING POWER WITH REAR BRAKE. SPONGY FEELING IN PEDAL AND PEDAL MUST BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH BOOT HEEL TO ENGAGE. REAR BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR NOTED TO BE DISCOLORED WITH A BLACK AND DIRTY APPEARANCE. NEW MOTORCYCLE WITH VERY FEW MILES, AND JUST RECEIVED INITIAL 600 MILE BREAK IN SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *LN

NHTSA ID

10545687

Incident

Sep 7, 2013

Mileage

900 mi

DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200 - REAR BRAKES FAIL TO HOLD THE MOTORCYCLE'S POSITION ON AN INCLINE (HILL). MOTORCYCLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DESPITE APPLICATION OF REAR BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10537538

Incident

Aug 25, 2013

Mileage

1,900 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. 13 Summary: Applicability: Incorrect evaluation of the wear condition of front wheel bearings, and Error C1134 – High DRL temperature (update) for the Multistrada. Melting of coolant distributor due to engine overheating for 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.

Procedure for Analysis and Control of Oil and Coolant Leaks from Engine_Rev.01. Applicability: All Models. This service repair bulletin instructs dealers and service managers on authorized procedures for identifying and isolating coolant and engine oil leaks. The use of a prescribed leak trace powder is stressed. This bulletin includes service instructions.

Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning. Applicability: All Models. This service bulletin informs dealers and service managers about precautions in using abrasive cleaners for engine component sealant, and in particular the crankcase covers. The bulletin further provides cleaning instructions with approved cleaning tools.