2013 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.

REAR BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SOFT. WITH MAXIMUM FORCE APPLIED THE ABS SEEMS TO EITHER LOCK UP OR FAIL ALTOGETHER. THE REAR BRAKE IS VERY INEFFECTIVE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA ID

11416207

Incident

May 9, 2021

Mileage

13,375 mi

THE REAR BRAKE IS LACKING POWER CREATING AN EXCESSIVE AND EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCE. IT TAKES SEVERAL APPLICATIONS OF THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE BRAKE TO BUILD UP PRESSURE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PREFORM ITS INTENDED FUNCTION. BRAKING IS SO WEAK THAT IT SEEMS AS IF THERE IS NO REAR BRAKE AT ALL MOST OF THE TIME. THIS OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS, ALL RIDING SITUATIONS, AND ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. REAR BRAKE IS ESSENTIALLY NO FUNCTIONAL.

NHTSA ID

11404646

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

Mileage

19,000 mi

WEAK AND MUSHY REAR BRAKE.

NHTSA ID

11398635

Incident

Jun 11, 2019

Mileage

14,000 mi

THE MULTISTRADA HAS A USELESS REAR BRAKE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED IT GOES TO THE BOTTOM OF ITS TRAVEL WITH LITTLE TO NO BRAKING ACTION TAKING PLACE. THE BRAKE BECOMES TEMPORALITY FUNCTIONAL AFTER IT IS BLED, BUT AFTER 1-2K MILES OR SITTING OVER THE WINTER THE BRAKE AGAIN FAILS TO SAFELY STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. WHILE RIDING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY THE OTHER DAY THE REAR BRAKE FAIL TO STOP THE BIKE I WAS ABLE THE STOP THE BIKE WITH THE FRONT BRAKE, BUT USING THE FRONT BRAKE IS NOT DESIRABLE ON A LOOSE GRAVEL DRIVEWAY AND STREET. AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES SOME BRAKE FUNCTION RETURNED, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SAFLEY SUPPLEMENT THE FRONT BRAKES. MY DEALER USER ICE AND SALES TEAM ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE MULTISTRADA, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SOLUTION THE THE PROBLEM FROM DUCATI. THE ONLY REMEDY IS CONSTANT BLEEDING OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. I DON'T FIND THAT A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM. MY MOTORCYCLE CURRENTLY HAS 2K MILES ON IT AND THE REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN BLED TWICE ALREADY AND I'M PREPARING TO DO IT A THIRD TIME. THE FLUID IS ABSOLUTELY BLACK JUST FROM SITTING IN A TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED GARAGE FOR 10 MONTHS(NO RIDING).

NHTSA ID

10888508

Incident

Jul 19, 2016

Mileage

2,000 mi

PUSHING ON REAR BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT RESULT IN ADEQUATE BRAKING POWER TO STOP OR EVEN SLOW DOWN VEHICLE WITHOUT USING FRONT BRAKE. THIS IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY ON A ROAD WHERE THERE IS GRAVEL OR DIRT OR ANY OTHER LOOSE MATERIAL. CALLED THE DEALER, IN OMAHA NE, DEALER TOLD ME THAT'S JUST THE WAY THAT THINGS ARE.

NHTSA ID

10731361

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

Mileage

800 mi

THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN LEAVING MY HOUSE FOR A RIDE. I GOT TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY TO FIND OUT MY REAR BRAKE WENT FROM SOFT TO NONEXISTENT. NO RESISTANCE AT ALL. I COULD PUSH THE BIKE WHILE SEATED WITH ONE FOOT WHILE DEPRESSING THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL TOTALLY. AGAIN, NO BRAKING AT ALL. THANK GOODNESS I COVER THE FRONT BRAKE OR I WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN THE BUSY STREET. IT PROVIDES NO STOPPING ASSISTANCE AT ALL; NO REAR BRAKE AT ALL. I AM ON MY 4TH "BRAKE BLEED" APPOINTMENT WITH THE DUCATI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SYSTEM BLED AND CHECKED. LOOKING AT TRADING THE BIKE IN AS THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS UNSATISFACTORY. LINKED BRAKES IN A SYSTEM THAT LOSES PRESSURE IS POINTLESS. THE NTSB SHOULD TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A LONG STANDING ISSUE WITH THE DUCATI MULTISTRADA MODEL. WITH THE REVAMPED 2013 MODEL, I WAS EXPECTING A BETTER PRODUCT, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I RIDE USING BOTH BRAKES BUT HAVE NO FAITH IN THE REAR BRAKE AS IT HAS QUIT ON ME 3 TIMES NOW, 2 WHILE MOVING AND ONE WHILE IT WAS SITTING THE GARAGE. CAN I LIVE WITH IT? YES, BUT WHY SHOULD I LIVE WITH A $20K, HIGH END MOTORCYCLE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED BRAKING COMPONENTS FUNCTIONAL? RIDING IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH, BUT HAVING A BIKE WITH FAULTY BRAKES IS SCARY. ANY ASSISTANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED NTSB. *TR

NHTSA ID

10683812

Incident

Feb 3, 2014

Mileage

250 mi

THERE IS AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF CORROSION ON THE BRAKING COMPONENTS. THE RIVETS ON THE FRONT ROTORS AND THE HAND LEVERS FOR THE CLUTCH AND FRONT BRAKE ARE ALL SHOWING SIGNIFICANT CORROSION/DETERIORATION. IF ONE OF THESE COMPONENTS FAILS DUE TO CORROSION THEN THE BRAKES AND/OR CLUTCH WILL BECOME INOPERABLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND/OR LOSS OF LIFE. I TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE COMPONENTS AND ASK DUCATI TO PROVIDE WARRANTY ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE THE CORRODED PARTS. DUCATI DECLINED THE CLAIM AND CAME BACK WITH A GENERIC RESPONSE OF "HARSH ENVIRONMENT". I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AND HAS BEEN SERVICED PER THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS AT THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. DUCATI WARRANTY CLAIM # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10668276

Incident

Jun 19, 2014

Mileage

4,500 mi

THE REAR BRAKE ON THIS BIKE NEVER PERFORMED UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS FROM THE FIRST TIME I RODE IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP, ESPECIALLY FOR A 150 HORSEPOWER SPORTY MOTORCYCLE. AT ABOUT 1,500 MILES THE REAR BRAKE WOULD ONLY WORK IF YOU PUMPED THE PEDAL TWICE TO GET ANY BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. AT 2,200 MILES I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THESE MODEL BIKES, AND DUCATI HAS NOT COME UP WITH A FIX THAT ACTUALLY CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAD A RECALL ON 2010-2012 MODELS REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SOME OTHER PARTS, BUT THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE REPAIRED BIKES STILL HAD A BRAKE THAT FAILED, AND THAT 2013 BIKES CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH THE "UPDATED" PARTS, AND MINE STARTED FAILING ALMOST FROM THE DAY I TOOK DELIVERY. I PICKED MY BIKE UP FROM THE DEALER LAST WEEK AND BY THE TIME I MADE IT HOME THE REAR BRAKE WOULD NOT LOCK THE REAR WHEEL OR ENGAGE THE ABS WHEN I TRIED TO. IN 20 MILES THE BRAKE FEEL WENT FROM WEAK TO ALMOST NON-EXISTENT. THIS IS A PITIFUL SITUATION AND THE DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION FOR A BLATANT SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS BIKE. CHECK THE DUCATI FORUMS, THIS EXISTS ON DUCATI BIKES ALL AROUND THE WORLD. I PAID $24,000 FOR THIS (PREMIUM) BIKE AND NOW I'M SCARED TO RIDE IT BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY STOP SITUATION I KNOW THAT I AM WORKING WITH A 30% REDUCTION IN AVAILABLE BRAKING POWER (THE FRONT BRAKE PROVIDES 70% OF ALL BRAKING AND THE FRONT LUCKILY WORKS VERY WELL). AS LONG AS THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON WITHOUT RESOLUTION MAKES ME THINK SOMEONE IS GOING TO NEED TO DIE FIRST BEFORE DUCATI GETS SERIOUS ABOUT FIXING THIS PROBLEM. REALLY?

NHTSA ID

10583275

Incident

Nov 3, 2013

Mileage

500 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.