The rear brake is ineffective at any speed. The bleeder screw is on the bottom of the caliper and it makes it impossible to properly bleed. The brake line leading to the caliper is too close to the catalytic converter causing the fluid in the line to boil. I've done everything I can think of to fix these issues but the brake is still ineffective.
2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs brakes problems
10 complaints (91% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 1,600.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 91%
- typical mileage
- 1,600
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs brakes problems in other years
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
- What is wrong
- Ducati is recalling certain model year 2012 848, streetfighter, hypermotard, multistrada, and monster motorcycles. The friction material may detach from the backing plate of the rear brake pads.
- Risk
- If the friction material detaches, there would be a sudden loss of rear brake efficiency, increasing the stopping distance and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace, as necessary, the rear brake pads free of charge. The safety recall began on may 21, 2012. Owners may contact ducati at 1‑800‑231‑6696 or go to their website at www.ducati.com.
Recall number 12V188000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Extended Stopping Distance
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) based on twenty-two (22) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for soft rear brakes caused by air seeping into the rear brake lines of model year (MY) 2012-2020 Ducati Monster, Multistrada, SuperSport, Panigale, Scrambler and Diavel motorcycles.The consumers were alleging that the rear brakes would not properly function unless the rear brake pedal was applied several times or that there was a total loss of rear braking during normal applications, increasing the risk of a crash. In a March 2020 meeting, Ducati indicated that they were aware of certain models in which air may enter the motorcycles' rear braking system through the brake lines, due to exposure to heat from the exhaust system. Although this condition compromises rear braking performance, Ducati stated that they did not consider this to be a safety defect because the front and rear brake systems are hydraulically independent from each other, and a motorcycle's front brake system performs most of the stopping. Additionally, they believed that routine brake fluid replacement would resolve consumers' concerns, however complainants and dealership service technicians reported that, in some cases, after a dealer serviced the rear brake system, the rear brake pedal would feel soft and spongy again (indicating compromised brake performance) less than a year later--well before the recommended two-year brake fluid service interval. As a precaution, Ducati issued a series of technical service bulletins (TSBs) to replace the brake lines with redesigned ones, rerouting them away from the exhaust system.ODI's position is that all of the brakes on a motorcycle are considered necessary for safety. Analysis of the data identified that neither the entire model line nor the entire model year range of motorcycles covered by the investigation were affected, but rather certain sub-models or narrower model year ranges of motorcycles incorporated brake lines with a higher exposure to the heat from the exhaust system. Because of the unique routing of each model's brake line, some motorcycles are more susceptible to the condition than others. As these specific models and model years were most likely to exhibit an increased risk of a crash from the lengthened stopping distance, Ducati converted the previously issued TSBs into a safety recall.After receiving a total of 94 VOQs, ODI is closing this PE with Ducati's safety recall 21V‑315. With the recall action taken by Ducati, this investigation is closed. However, the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist on other models or MY vehicles outside of the recall scope. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE21003
What 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The rear brake becomes useless after bleeding by the dealer. They tested the system and reported it holds pressure with no issue yet after time typically within 12 months the brake failure occurs. The only reasoning given is design with location too close to the heat source. These bikes are not entry level so it only due to the experience of the riders there has not been a fatality due to no rear brake.
The rear brake has been a known issue among owners (and ducati mechanics). Ducati is also well aware of the problem but has not offered any type of fix. The problem is that no matter how often one bleeds the rear brake system, within just a few hundred miles, the rear brake no longer has any effect on the bike's speed. If one goes much past 700-800 miles, the brake pedal simply goes all the way down, doing nothing at all. I have had this issue since I bought the bike in december 2012. Ducati has replaced the rear master cylinder twice, but again, within just a few hundred miles, the brakes are gone. According to ducati mechanics and other riders who have this issue, the problem is that the brake lines are routed much too close to the catalytic converter. The very high heat causes the brake fluid to boil and greatly reduces the efficiency of the hydraulic pressure needed to force the brake calipers to "grab" the brake disc. I have owned at least 10 other motorcycles (including 4 ducatis) and none have ever had any braking issues like this. Additionally, because of the poor design of the rear brake system, the rear caliper must be removed and hung higher than its normal mounting point when bleeding the brakes. If this isn't done, the old fluid and any bubbles in the line will not be purged from the line. This makes bleeding the brakes a near futile exercise. I would like to see ducati come up with some sort of permanent fix so I will have reliable rear brakes.
The rear brake does not function correctly. I have asked ducati to fix this problem, and after 4 separate repair sessions it is still not functioning correctly. This will cause no rear brakes needs a official recall!
Rear brake is ineffective, pedal has excessive travel and soft.
Rear brake system failed to function properly. Noted to be increasingly difficult to achieve stopping power with rear brake. Spongy feeling in pedal and pedal must be depressed all the way down with boot heel to engage. Rear brake fluid reservoir noted to be discolored with a black and dirty appearance. New motorcycle with very few miles, and just received initial 600 mile break in service at dealership.
Ducati multistrada 1200 - rear brakes fail to hold the motorcycle's position on an incline (hill). Motorcycle rolled backwards despite application of rear brake.
The rear brake on this motorcycle is non functional and this is extremely dangerous.
2012 ducati multistrada 1200 s touring. Has no rear brake. Ducati installed "the rear brake kit" which is some sort of upgrade. This provided a very temporary fix, the rear brake worked better than stock, but then quickly returned to the original state- no rear brake. This motorcycle was purchased in mid august 2012, the rear brake does not work. Ducati is aware of the issue, that is why they installed "the kit". The rear brake should work, it has less than 1500 miles on it, it's a new motorcycle. Thank you for your time.
The rear brake does not work, and this is a serious safety issue on a motorcycle. Over several hundred miles the rear brake pedal slowly increases travel, and then goes to the stop and does not engage the rear brake at all. Ducati has tried multiple times to fix this (I also owned a 2011 multistrada with the exact same problem), and all their attempts have failed. I, and many other owners of this bike, have been extremely patient in trying to allow ducati the time to develop a fix for this problem, which to date has not happened. Having to take the bike in to have a dealer bleed the rear brake circuit every few hundred miles is an unrealistic 'fix' which is unacceptable. Ducati has now publicly acknowledged the problem (please see the first paragraph here: http://ashonbikes.com/content/andrea-forni-interview ) and has instituted a fix on the upcoming 2013 model. To date there has been no acknowledgement by ducati to those with repeated rear brake failures on the current model that they have now found a way to address, and hopefully solve, this problem. I have hesitated to file this complaint for a very long time, but now that ducati has publicly acknowledged the problem, and they have apparently now instituted a fix, I feel that I have no other choice but to file this complaint.
Questions about the 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs brakes
Does the 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs, 91% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 1,600 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V188000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs have bad brakes?
The Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs model years with the most brakes complaints are 2012 (10 complaints) and 2013 (10 complaints).
Other 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Abs problems
Transmission 1
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