2015 Ducati Scrambler

The defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ducati Scrambler motorcycles manufactured February 17, 2015, to November 11, 2016. The affected vehicles have a side stand pivot nut that can detach, potentially causing the side stand position sensor to no longer function properly.

The risk

If the side stand position sensor does not function properly, the engine may stall, or the motorcycle may be ridden while the stand is still down. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side stand pivot bolt, free of charge. The recall began on begin January 24, 2017. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-800-231-6696. Ducati's number for this recall is SRV-RCL-16-004.

Ducati North America · up to 5,502 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened February 18, 2021 · closed July 9, 2021 · led to recall 21V315000

the brakes, the hydraulic brakes

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.

towed · 5,480 miles

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 complaint 11529091. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 complaint 11454762. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 complaint 11444073. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

500 miles

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 complaint 11270862. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

6,500 miles

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 complaint 10992104. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

350 miles

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 complaint 10889355. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.