2018 DUCATI SCRAMBLER Complaints

The rear brake failed after 1800 miles on the motorcycle. The brake fluid was replaced at 800 miles and after less than a year and 1000 miles it does not work. Pressing on the pedal does not engage the caliper. There are no visible leaks and the master cylinder is full of brake fluid. Ducati does have a recall campaign for multiple models for brake failure. The scrambler is not listed as one of them, but various Ducati forums have owners of Scrambler models reporting they have had rear brake failure or inadequate performance. I believe that this issue needs to be investigated and addressed by the manufacturer. This can be a potentially life threatening defect in the event of failure.

I had this motorcycle serviced on March 18th, 2022 with 11,299 miles on the odometer. At that service in March of 2022, the technician indicated that the brakes were "1-Good" on a scale of 1-3, with 3 being "unroadworthy." Within those 4 months between the braking issue, there was no indication that the brakes needed attention. On July 23rd, 2022, with 11,950 miles on the bike, while leaving the parking lot of my apartment complex and entering the roadway there was zero braking power from the rear brakes. There was visibly clean brake fluid in the reservoir, but no grabbing power. This was the first time the issue has ever occurred, no warning lamps were displayed. I immediately returned the motorcycle to the parking lot and called local Ducati dealerships for technical assistance. I then took my bike in for service at Elk Grove Powersports on July 27th, 2022, where they informed me this issue was not covered by any warranties or recalls. I contacted Ducati-North America for assistance on July 28th, 2022. They told me the braking problem was "regular maintenance." I told them I am leaving on a long trip with this bike in the coming weeks and they also said the brakes will be "fine." At Elk Grove Powersports they bled the brakes to "fix" them but indicated that if the issue occurred again then they may need to replace the brake line. Elk Grove Powersports, along with Good Times Motorsports, indicated that this is an issue they are seeing with multiple Ducati Scrambler models but Ducati has not recalled them. The rear brakes account for approximately 30% of the overall braking on a motorcycle. As a rider who has had to use both front and rear brakes to avoid danger, I can confidently say that if my rear brakes were to fail again in traffic or at highway speeds when avoiding a hazard then myself or others would be at risk of injury and/or death. Braking systems need to be thoroughly assessed and recalled by Ducati to ensure rider and roadway safety.

ONE DAY I TOOK THE BIKE FOR A RIDE AND THERE WAS NO PRESSURE ON THE REAR BRAKE AND ALMOST NO BRAKING