Ducati to Recall Certain Superleggera Motorcycles

Source: NHTSA announcement

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Ducati North America will recall certain 2017-2017 Ducati Superleggera motorcycles to rectify an issue with the front brakes.

According to the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety recall report (for recall campaign 20V-232), “A potential exists for detachment of the brake pad friction material from the back plate, specifically, but not exclusively, for vehicles operated in corrosive environments.”

The recall covers some 97 motorcycles built between Sept. 7 and Dec. 7, 2017 at the company’s facilities in Italy.

NHTSA summarized the issue by reporting, “If detachment of Front Brake Pads friction material from the backing plate occurs, the distance between the braking plate and disc cannot be balanced with a single action on the brake master cylinder, rendering the brake pad defective. Potentially defective pads can increase vehicle stopping distances. Though systems assembled with unaffected brake pads maintain their required performance, an increased risk of driver injury and/or vehicle damage may still exist if vehicle is operated with one defective brake pad.”

Brembo, which supplies the brake pads, advised Ducati April 20, 2020 of the potential issue with the pads. In addition, the Italian brake manufacturer began producing revised pads in March which will be substituted for the old versions at no cost to the motorcycle owner.

Triumph also announced a recall to replace Brembo front brake pads on several its motorcycle models with the same issue.

Ducati will begin notifying its North American dealers from May 21-28 and owners June 20-27 as to the recall and the remedy.