Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 11 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
4,318 miles · May 4, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND 170F-215F DEGREE HOT COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE BEGAN BLOWING ONTO MY LEG. THE RADIATOR ON MY 2008 DUCATI 848 WITH ONLY 4,000 MILES, WHICH IS A KNOWN DUCATI 848 PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL, BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE UPPER LEFT BRACKET AREA. CALLED DUCATI NORTH AMERICA AND THEY WERE NOT VERY FRIENDLY AND LESS THAN…
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DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND 170F-215F DEGREE HOT COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE BEGAN BLOWING ONTO MY LEG. THE RADIATOR ON MY 2008 DUCATI 848 WITH ONLY 4,000 MILES, WHICH IS A KNOWN DUCATI 848 PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL, BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE UPPER LEFT BRACKET AREA. CALLED DUCATI NORTH AMERICA AND THEY WERE NOT VERY FRIENDLY AND LESS THAN WILLING TO OFFER A SOLUTION. WILL EVENTUALLY BE A INJURY OR CRASH DUE TO THIS COOLANT/RADIATOR LEAK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328877
4,380 miles · Jul 25, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2008 DUCATI 848 MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS ONLY 4000 MILES ON IT AND THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING. THE LEAK ON THE RADIATOR IS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE RADIATOR WHERE RADIATOR MOUNTING BRACKET IS LOCATED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE RADIATOR IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE WHERE 80 PERC…
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I OWN A 2008 DUCATI 848 MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS ONLY 4000 MILES ON IT AND THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING. THE LEAK ON THE RADIATOR IS LOCATED ON TOP OF THE RADIATOR WHERE RADIATOR MOUNTING BRACKET IS LOCATED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE RADIATOR IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE FRONT WHEEL OF THE MOTORCYCLE WHERE 80 PERCENT OF BRAKING IS MOSTLY DONE AND ALSO STEERING. I INFORMED DEALERSHIP ABOUT LEAK AND THEY SAID IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MOTORCYCLE. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED RADIATOR FROM ITALY AND WAIT TIMES VARY FROM A WEEK TO 3-4 WEEKS (EVEN MORE WHEN DUCATI GOES ON THEIR 1MONTH VACATION). I WAS ALSO TOLD BY SERVICE DIRECTOR OF DEALERSHIP THAT PART IS NOT AN UPDATED RADIATOR. CONTACTED DUCATI OF NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SEEM OBLIVIOUS OF MY COMPLAINT. I AM A MEMBER OF A FEW MOTORCYCLE FORUMS AND MOST 848 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM (SOME OF THEM HAVE INSTALLED THEIR SECOND RADIATOR DUE TO THE DAME PROBLEM). I AM STILL WAITING ON MY RADIATOR AND IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 1 WEEK (WENT TO DEALERSHIP ON JULY 16TH). *TR
DUCATI IS RECALLING 7,130 MY 2007-2008 1098, 1098S, 1098 TRICOLORE, 1098R, AND MY 2008-2009 848 MOTORCYCLES. THE MOTORCYCLE CHARGING SYSTEM MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY ENGINE HEAT AND STOP OPERATING. THIS RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND ENSUING BATTERY DISCHARGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCYCLE AND A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE RIDER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, INSTALL A HEAT GUARD BETWEEN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND THE ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND INSTALL A MODIFIED BATTERY SUPPORT. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON DECEMBER 24, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DUCATI AT 1-800-231-6696.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE10044 · Motorcycle Coolant Leak...radiator
Opened Nov 4, 2010 · Closed Feb 7, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly
After opening this PE, ODI gathered information from involved owners, Ducati dealers, and Ducati North America personnel.We were particularly interested in ascertaining how much hot coolant was leaking and whether it had the potential to burn the rider and/or wash the rear tire contact patch.On November 23, 2010, using a complaint radiator installed in a MY 2010 Ducati 848, we observed the subject leakage noting its consistency with what we were told by various dealers and owners.Over the course of 15 minutes, after reaching operating temperature, we noted the volume of leaked coolant to be de minimis.In the absence of alleged lower extremity burns and/or loss of rear tire traction (let alone, crashes), this supports a finding that no defect trend currently exists involving alleged coolant leakage from the subject radiator(s).Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action if warranted in the future.
2008 Ducati 848 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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