2008 Ducati 848 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System (6) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Steering (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2014-04-01 · campaign 14E012000 · 2,827 vehicles
Defect: Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 998 motorcycles. Also included are universal steering damper kits with part numbers SD 000 through SD 005. The affected brackets may crack.
Risk: If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.
Service bulletins (24)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2024-01-18 · SRV-SRB-24-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 legit
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2023-07-17 · SRV-SRB-23-036 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 var
Power Train 2023-07-13 · SRV-SRB-23-037 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 provi
Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-07-10 · SRV-SRB-23-018R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 powde
Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-06-16 · SRV-SRB-23-031 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
precautions to follow during crankcase cleaning. applicability: all models. this service bulletin informs dealers and service managers about precautions in using abrasive cleaners for engine component sealant, and in particular the crankcase covers. the bulletin further provides cleaning instruction
Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-05-16 · SRV-SRB-23-018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
procedure for analysis and control of oil and coolant leaks from engine. applicability: all models. this service bulletin provides dealers and service managers with troubleshooting guidance for oil or coolant leaks. this bulletin includes service instructions.
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-06-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 2,642 mi“fuel is leaking out of the bottom of the motorcycle near the exhaust manifold. i took it to the shop and they said that it is a known problem with deformation of the gas tank and ducati settled a class action law suit about it. however, i was never notified and did not qualify for the repairs because more than 18 months has passed since the lawsui…”
2013-04-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“ducati fuel tanks are leaking. dealers are replacing some fuel tanks for original owners. i am not an original owner. my fuel tank is not leaking, yet. if you log on to ducati.org you may read some of the forum postings. you can search forum postings for fuel tank leaks. it is happening on multiple models built during multiple years. please protect…”
2013-04-08 · Engine · 8,800 mi“the radiator developed a leak. *tr…”
2012-09-20 · Steering · 7,400 mi“failure of gas tank. gas tank seems to undergo changes over time a use. the changes are, swelling, leaking, internal failure, damage to fuel system. swelling causes inability to turn handle bars to move to full turn. leaking causes harmful gas fumes to be consumed by rider which can lead to cancer and other health problems, fire or explosion is …”
2012-04-19 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 2,800 mi“on the top left side of radiator mount cracked and starts to leak. i heard from my friends, dealer and research on the internet and ducati.org forum. this is a common problem for 2008 ducati 848 and many others were saying this is the factory failure and known defect. radiator leak caused by weakened mounting bracket. this design flaw is due to …”
2011-12-24 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 13,900 mi“many owners are reporting that their defective tank was replaced with another defective tank, so they are on their second or third fuel tank. it seems to be primarily an issue with fuel in the us, however the problem is showing up in europe. the consensus on the web is that the problem is related to the addition of ethanol in the gasoline, …”
2011-08-15 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System · 6,180 mi · 💥 crash“radiator leak caused by weakened mounting bracket. this design flaw is due to extra weight placed on the left side mounting bracket from the battery mounted on the same bracket. this is a potential safety hazard as it caused extremely hot coolant to spray out of the left fairing on to the rider's leg, in addition to causing a crash due to lubrica…”
2011-08-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System · 4,103 mi“my 2008 ducati 848 (which only has 4100 miles on it) developed a radiator leak on the rear-left upper side of the radiator. there were no events leading up the leak. my bike has been sitting for two weeks and was not touched by anyone. due to the nature of this issue, riders may be in danger as radiator fluid may leak onto the front tire and/or fro…”
2011-05-19 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System · 3,600 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 ducati 848 motorcycle. the contact stated that the radiator was leaking abnormally from the rear. there was no road hazard that caused the radiator to fail. the contact stated that the vehicle would be taken to the dealer within the next two days for inspection and possible repairs. the manufacturer was not made aware of…”
2010-08-18 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System · 4,700 mi“1. my 2008 ducati 848 motorcycle developed a radiator leak. there are no events leading up to the failure other than normal riding. my motorcycle has less than 5000 miles on the odometer. 2. the failure is a leaking radiator. consequences are higher risk of crash (due to slick fluid emanating from the machine), and massive engine damage due t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.