2016 Ducati Multistrada 1200S

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.

INCONSISTENT (MOSTLY POOR) REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE IN ALL CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID

11416783

Incident

Apr 28, 2021

Mileage

38,000 mi

MY 2016 MULTISTRADA EXPERIENCES INCONSISTENT BRAKING WITH THE REAR BRAKE, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WITH THE REAR BRAKE AND UNEXPECTED SOFT REAR BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. I AM UNABLE TO RELY ON THE REAR BRAKE TO FUNCTION AT ANY TIME OR SPEED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO, AND FOR THE 3,000 MILES I HAVE USED IT.

NHTSA ID

11407148

Incident

Apr 7, 2021

Mileage

16,000 mi

THE REAR BRAKE ON THIS MOTORCYCLE IS VIRTUALLY USELESS. EVEN AFTER HAVING IT SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND BRAKE FLUID FLUSHED AND REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE IS STILL EXTREMELY WEAK COMPARED TO ALL OTHER MOTORCYCLES I'VE OWNED OR RIDDEN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS DUE TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE LINES BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST; I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THIS IS DUE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MASTER CYLINDER BEING MOUNTED ON SEPARATE COMPONENTS AND HEAT CYCLES CAUSE THE ADJUSTMENT TO GO IN AND OUT OF SPEC. WHATEVER THE REASON THE REAR BRAKE IS VIRTUALLY USELESS. ON DRY PAVEMENT IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO BRAKE HARD ENOUGH WITH THE REAR BRAKE TO ENGAGE ABS AND THE REAR BRAKE THEREFORE CONTRIBUTES VERY LITTLE TO THE STOPPING POWER OF THE MOTORCYCLE OVERALL. LUCKILY I NOTICED THIS EARLY ON AND HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AND SO HAVE NO POLICE REPORT TO INCLUDE HERE. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE I BOUGHT THE MOTORCYCLE WITH 10498 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.

NHTSA ID

11399918

Incident

May 30, 2020

Mileage

10,498 mi

FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS MY 2016 MULTISTRADA FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THE FUEL TANK AS EMPTY REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL SHOW A QUANTITY, BUT THE QUANTITY IS NOT CORRECT (SHOWS FULL WITH A HALF TANK OF FUEL, OR SHOWS 2/3 EMPTY IMMEDIATE AFTER FILLING UP). AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT WILL REVERT BACK TO SHOWING EMPTY. THE BEHAVIOR IS CONSTANT, AND NOT AFFECTED BY FUEL LEVEL, TEMPERATURE, OR OTHER FACTORS. WITHOUT THE GAUGE, THERE IS NO INDICATION WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS LOW. THE LOW-FUEL WARINING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. DUCATI MULTISTRADAS FROM MY2015 ON (AS WELL AS THE DUCATI DIAVEL AND XDIAVEL) HAVE A WELL KNOWN, REPETITIVE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENDER CAUSING AN EMPTY INDICATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THOUSANDS OF MULTISTRADAS AND DIAVELS, AND IT A TOPIC OF MUCH CONSTERNATION IN THE DUCATI COMMUNITY. DUCATI IS ON AT LEAST THE FIFTH REVISION OF THE SENDER, BUT IS REFUSING TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE UNITS ON MOTORCYCLES OUT OF WARRANTY. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SENDER REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, FOLLOWED BY FAILURE AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION, WITH DUCATI REFUSING TO REPAIR THEM FURTHER. DUE TO THE CRITICALITY OF FUEL GAUGE FUNCTION, THIS SHOULD BE ELEVATED TO A RECALL TO FORCE DUCATI TO DESIGN A PERMANENT FIX, AND THEN REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE UNITS. THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO SELL NEW MOTORCYCLES WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE SENDER, AND SIMPLY REFUSE TO ADDRESS IT AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDS.

NHTSA ID

11235121

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

16,000 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.

Rear Brake System Update Summary. Applicability: All Models. This Service Bulletin replaces and cancels bulletin SRV-SRB-23-053 published on 10/17/2023. This service bulletin informs dealers and service managers of the availability of new rear brake hoses intended to address wear of the brake lever stroke, resulting from routine use, over time.

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.