After coming home from a ride, I noticed the radiator was leaking coolant from a pinsized hole. Many other owners have reported similar findings with their radiators.
The worst 2009 Ducati 848 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine5
- Fuel system2
- Body1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine5
- Fuel system2
- Body1
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- Ducati is recalling 1,549 my 2009 1198, 1198 s, 1098 r, 848 and my 2010 f1098 streetfighter and streetfighter s motorcycles. These motorcycles may experience fuel leakage from the fuel line at the fuel injector connection. The plastic fitting between fuel injector and hose can warp or break which could possibly result in a potential hazard to the rider and possible damage to the motorcycle.
- Risk
- Any damage to the fuel line may lead to an increased risk of fire or an unexpected loss of engine performance, the thereby increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the affected injector components free of charge. The safety recall began on june 3, 2009. To locate your nearest authorized ducati dealer, you may go to www.ducatiusa.com and select the "dealer locator" or you may call toll free at 1‑800‑231‑6696.
Recall number 09V170000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 08V638000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2009 Ducati 848
Defect investigations
Motorcycle coolant leak...radiator
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 the federal safety agency 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.
PE10044
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Ducati 848 24
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Procedure for Assessing Front Fork Oil Leaks
- Guided Diagnosis for Front Brake System Bleeding
- Finial Drive Chain Maintenance Precautions
- Procedure for Analysis and Control of Oil and Coolant Leaks from Engine_Rev.01. Applicability: All Models
- Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning
- Procedure for Analysis and Control of Oil and Coolant Leaks from Engine
- Overview of Rear Brake System Updates
- CR235 –
- Overview of Rear Brake System Updates
- Service Operation Manual Update 2022
What 2009 Ducati 848 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The radiator has a leak under the left mounting bracket on the back side of the radiator. This has caused extremely hot coolant to spray out the left vent onto the riders leg. Also coolant has covered the front wheel and brakes, left fork and fogged out the left head light. This is a known complication with this model bike, with hundreds of documented cases. My bike has less then 6000 miles, with no accidents, and no damage to the radiator. This leak at the left mounting bracket is known to ducati, but they are unwilling to help with the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ducati 848 motorcycle. The contact stated that when driving 50 MPH and above, the fuel tank would shake abnormally. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised that the tank needed to be replaced due to the plastic material used during manufacturing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,200. The VIN was unavailable.
One day riding home from work I started to feel like my knee was burning. I looked down to my left knee and saw that it was getting wet and was burning from something hot. Pulled over and saw that I was leaking coolant. The coolant looked like it was coming out of the coolant hose. I had the motorcycle towed to the dealer ship that I work at. I removed the fairing to check where it was leaking from. Saw that it was leaking out of the radiator. Tried to get some help from the local dealer and they just kept trying to say that it was my fault. The first thing they told me is that it was a stone that hit the radiator. When they told me about the stone I wanted them to show me where the stone hit but they couldn't show it to me and before taking the bike down to the dealer I had the radiator pressure tested and found out that it was leaking from the left upper hanger spot weld. After they couldn't show me I told them that I had it pressure tested and it seemed to make them mad and then they started to say that I dropped the bike and I asked them the same thing as before and they couldn't show me where it had signs that it had fallen. Then they seemed to get even more mad. I called ducati of north america and told them what had happen and they told me that they were sorry for what happened and that they would help me out but that I had to take it back to that dealer so they could check it out again. But I wasn't going to have it towed down there again at that point I could've bought a new radiator. When this happened in march I looked up the price for a new one and it was $548 and now its gone up to $948 and the part number has changed to 54840742b from 54840741b. Even when I talked to the person at ducati he told me that they knew that there was a problem with the radiators that are in the 1098 and the 848. And as for my knee I had to buy a burn cream so it wouldn't hurt from the burn and the glycol in the coolant.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 ducati 848 motorcycle. The contact stated that the temperature gauge displayed a reading of 205 degrees as he noticed coolant fluid leaking from the radiator. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that coolant fluid was leaking from a spot weld on the left side hanger. The dealer had not been notified of the failure since the vehicle was no longer under warranty and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 22,500. The VIN was unavailable.
1. No events leading up to the failure. Just all of a sudden. 2. Radiator leak. Coolant splashes all over left side fairings. 3. Dealership said they'll replace radiator under warranty. They said it might take a month for the parts to come in.
I just bought a brand new 2009 ducati sport 1000 motorcycle. Have put about 160 miles on the bike and parked it outside work for 2 hours in direct sunlight. The gas tank was half full. When I returned to the bike the tank had expanded approximately 2 inches from left to right and 1 inch from front to back. It started to look like the shape of a banana. The tank was completely loose enough to lift off the frame. I opened the gas tank and a gush of air escaped and the tank shrunk back down about 75% which left creases in the tanks surface along with ripples in the surface. If I was riding when this occurred I could have been seriously injured! The bike has only been refueled once with 93 octane premium fuel. I have pictures available that were taken at the time of the incident.
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Questions about the 2009 Ducati 848
Is the 2009 Ducati 848 reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2009 Ducati 848, 3.5 times a typical 848 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Ducati 848?
Engine and cooling, with 5 complaints, typically around 5,700 miles. Next is fuel system (2).
How many recalls does the 2009 Ducati 848 have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and electrical system.
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