2002 Ducati Ducati problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) (2) · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery (2) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ducati Ducati model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
What owners report
2005-05-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System · 2,000 mi“plastic coolant tank (reservoir, not overflow catch tank) located at steering head area routinely fails and leaks coolant beneath motorcycle. this could cause slippery coolant to contact rear tire, which could cause vehicle loss of control and crash.…”
2004-01-15 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery · 10,000 mi“i have a 2002 ducati monster s4. for the second time, the battery has developed a leak, and spilled battery acid down the engine and splattered the surrounding areas. there are a number of ducati owners who are suffering the same problems, with the same response from ducati (in essence, replacing the battery, without admitting and fixing the cause)…”
2003-07-07 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery“while traveling on the highway battery acid leaks out, causing the motorcycle not to start. *ak…”
2003-05-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) · 600 mi“the engine vented oil from the crankcase breather. the incident had occurred twice. the first 1st failure was at 600 miles and the 2nd failure at 1,800 miles. vehicle is a 2002 ducati 998. *jb…”
2003-05-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) · 1,550 mi“oil leak almost resulting in a crash. 2002 ducati 998 motorcycle. i was riding down the street, and at a stop light noticed a weird smell. i looked down and oil was all over my engine, my swingarm, and my rear tire. i luckily caught it (this was not the first time) before crashing. preliminary tests revealed poor compression, and many other …”
2003-04-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine“the ducati motorcycle model #998, leaked oil. *jb…”
2002-08-29 · Power Train:manual Transmission“when riding motorcycle and going into a turn it dropped into a "false neutral." then, it dropped into a lower gear and locked up back wheels. vehicle checked by dealer, who fixed issue. situation happened again when consumer received motorcycle from dealer. consumer sustained injuries from incident.*ak…”
2002-05-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“while traveling oil sprays out of oil box onto rear tire. when this happens at any time and makes motorcycle hard to control. *ak the consumer stated that the motorcycle was leaking oil from gas cap. the water temperature was very high. the rear brakes do not work having been soaked with oil. *yh…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.