2016 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.

After sitting for the winter, I took the motorcycle out for a ride. During the ride, while depressing the rear brake pedal, there was no resistance indicating no braking. While trying to evaluate any braking ability, I depressed the rear brake pedal with no braking effect. I took it back home, and while sitting in the driveway I depressed the rear brake pedal and could see no actuation of the rear brake system.

NHTSA ID

11456752

Incident

Mar 13, 2022

REAR BRAKE FOOT LEVER BOTTOMS OUT WHEN APPLIED. NO BRAKE FUNCTION. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS FULL. BIKE HAS 8,200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND 7,500 WAS PERFORMED AT 7,300 MILES. MOTORCYCLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN FAIL HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID

11404289

Incident

Mar 20, 2021

Mileage

8,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DUCATI SCRAMBLER SIXTY2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AT 5 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE UPON DEPRESSING THE FOOT PEDAL, WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

NHTSA ID

11364716

Incident

Oct 16, 2020

Mileage

5,000 mi

DURING NORMAL OPERATION, DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET AT ABOUT 40MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WHEN I PULLED TO THE SIDE, AND TURNED THE IGNITION BACK ON, FUEL POURED FROM UNDER THE TANK. WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS THAT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND THE PUMP HAD DISCONNECTED. WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION BACK ON, THE FUEL PUMP PRIMED, SPEWING THE GASOLINE DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BIKE, OVER THE ENGINE. THE PART DID NOT APPEAR BROKEN, BUT WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET TO IT, I COULD RECONNECT IT, BUT IT WOULD COME BACK APART VERY EASILY. IT SEEMED TO BE A FAULTY PART. THE BIKE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 120 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, BRAND NEW. THE ATTACHED IMAGE SHOWS THE PART DISCONNECTED. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM REPORTED BY ABOUT 6 OTHER PEOPLE ON A DUCATI SCRAMBLER FORUM.

NHTSA ID

10894860

Incident

Aug 9, 2016

Mileage

120 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.