2015 Ducati Scrambler

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 contact owns a 2015 Ducati Scrambler. The contact stated while riding 30 MPH, the motorcycle lost motive power and stalled with the "Side Stand Error" message displayed. The contact was able to roll the motorcycle to the side of the roadway. The motorcycle was towed to the residence. The motorcycle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the motorcycle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V891000 (Structure) and provided no assistance. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 5,480.

NHTSA ID

11529091

Incident

Jun 26, 2023

Mileage

5,480 mi

Rear brake goes all the way down without stopping the motorcycle, replaces the brake pads and bleed the system, then the brake works for a few days but always slowly goes down until the brake does NOT work at all. I have to bleed the system again. There are NO leaks int he hydraulic hoses, connections, master and slave cylinders or brake caliper.

NHTSA ID

11454762

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

The rear brake has become absent. I've had the motorcycle less that 5000 miles and now there's nothing there when i press the brake pedal. The front brake works fine, and that's the one I use mainly. But the rear brake pedal does nothing. I looked online and apparently this is endemic on Ducati motorcycles with Brembo brand rear brakes. Ducati offers no remedy other than paying for a rebuild of the brake assembly at cost. Meanwhile we are riding our bikes with no rear brakes.

NHTSA ID

11444073

Incident

Dec 16, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DUCATI SCRAMBLER MOTORCYCLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO HIGHER GEARS, THE VEHICLE MADE ABNORMAL NOISES AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500.

NHTSA ID

11270862

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

500 mi

FRONT BRAKE PULSES AT LOW SPEED BRAKING CAUSING CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER IN THE FALL OF 2016 FOR REPAIR BUT ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED. CURRENTLY STILL WAITING FOR WEEKS FOR WARRANTY AUTHORIZATION.

NHTSA ID

10992104

Incident

May 3, 2017

Mileage

6,500 mi

MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT HAD 350 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I FELT A LIQUID SPLASH ONTO MY LEFT FOOT AND LEG. AT THIS SAME TIME I NOTICED THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND I WAS COASTING WITHOUT POWER. I QUICKLY AVOIDED TRAFFIC AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS I WAS UNSURE WHAT LIQUID WAS ON MY FOOT AND LEG, I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY AND TURNED IT BACK ON TO WITNESS THE SYSTEM TRYING TO PRIME THE FUEL INJECTION WHICH CAUSED GASOLINE TO POUR OUT THE LEFT SIDE, FROM UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK AND ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. I AM GLAD THE HOT ENGINE DID NOT IGNITE THE GASOLINE AND CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10889355

Incident

Jul 27, 2016

Mileage

350 mi

I WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN FUEL STARTED DRIPPING DOWN ON THE ENGINE AND MY LEGS.

NHTSA ID

10782602

Incident

May 14, 2015

Mileage

30 mi

I PICKED THE MOTORCYCLE UP FROM HAVING THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED, AND RODE IT HOME ABOUT 75 MILES. I WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING, AND WHEN I STARTED IT THE FUEL PUMP WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I RAN IT A BIT AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS WHINING THE WHOLE TIME. I TOOK THE BIKE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY ADVISED THE FUEL PUMP WAS "FUNCTIONING, BUT FAILING." THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SEALS INSIDE THE TANK. I PICKED THE BIKE UP ON 8/28/15 AND RODE IT ABOUT 150 MORE MILES THROUGH 9/2/15. ON 9/2/15, THE BIKE STALLED, AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. THEN I STARTED SMELLING GAS, I LOOK DOWN AND GAS IS LITERALLY POURING OUT FROM BENEATH THE GAS TANK. THE BIKE IS NOW BEING PICKED UP TOMORROW BY THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED FOR A SECOND TIME OF A SIMILAR ISSUE WITHIN A WEEK. THE BIKE IS NOT YET 2 MONTHS OLD, AND CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 1150 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10761418

Incident

Aug 25, 2015

Mileage

1,000 mi

Tips & Tricks Revision 02 Summary. Applicability: Multistrada-Front fork wiring, rear shock, and fuel level and range indication. Hypermotard-Exhaust heat guard hardware pitting. Scrambler-Cosmetic headlight defect. All Models-pre-delivery operations, scheduled maintenance update.

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.

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.