2006 Ducati Sport Classic problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS SENDING IN A COMPLAINT DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS LAWSUIT REGARDING THE GAS TANKS EXPANDING ON DUCATI'S. I WANTED INFORMATION ON HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING MINE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10497756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE GAS TANK HAS EXPANDED TO THE POINT THAT IT DOES NOT STAY IN THE HOLDING BRACKETS. THE TANK IS LOOSE AND IS A DANGEROUS DRIVING HAZARD. DUCATI IS REPLACING THE TANK WITH THE EXACT SAME MATERIAL WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. A TANK MADE OUT OF THE SAME MATERIAL WILL RESULT IN THE SAME PROBLEM ALL OVER AGAIN. A PERMANENT SOLUTION SHOULD REQUIRE A CHANGE IN THE GAS TANK MATERIAL USED.

NHTSA complaint #10447406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL TANK OF SAID 2006 DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC, 1.) FUEL TANK HAS EXPANDED NO LONGER FITTING INTO THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK SECURELY IN PLACE. (FUEL TANK WOULD MOVE ABOUT) 2.) FUEL TANK DEVELOPED DEFORMATION ALONG THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK APPROXIMATELY A 10 MM IN LENGTH AREA (LEFT OF FUEL FILLER CAP). 3.) FUEL TANK DEVELOPED PROTRUDING DIMPLES ALONG RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE OF FUEL TANK. 4.) FACTORY DECAL ON FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A 1.5 MM DIA. X .3 MM PROTRUDING BUBBLE ON THE FRONT PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10441052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ON OCTOBER 28, 2011, WHILE OPERATING MY 2006 DUCATI SPORTCLASSIC I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LOOSE TOWARDS THE FORWARD PART OF THE FUEL TANK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NO LONGER SECURED BY EITHER THE LEFT-SIDE OR RIGHT-SIDE MOUNTING BRACKETS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE DIMENSIONS OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK OVER TIME HAS WARPED OR CHANGED TO SUCH AN EXTENT AS TO RENDER THE TWO FORWARD SECURING BRACKETS INEFFECTIVE IN THEIR PRESENT STATE. THIS RESULTS IN THE FUEL TANK DEPENDENT SOLELY ON A SINGLE REAR MOUNTING BOLT TO SECURE THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IT IS CLEAR THAT ANY OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE RISKS INJURY SHOULD THE FUEL TANK COME LOOSE OR BECOME UNSTABLE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS ALSO BEEN OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL TANK DIMENSIONS HAVE OVER TIME WARPED TO SUCH AN EXTENT AS TO NOW IMPEDE THE FULL USE OF THE VEHICLE STEERING MECHANISM. THIS ALSO RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO ANY OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS CLEAR THAT AN EFFECTIVE, PERMANENT SOLUTION IS REQUIRED OF THE MANUFACTURER TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO THIS FUEL TANK AS ITS PRESENT DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND MANUFACTURE IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10434369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

NOTED FUEL LEAKING WHERE FUEL PUMP HOUSING ATTACHES TO COMPOSITE FUEL TANK. FUEL PUMP HOUSING, CONNECTIONS, AND FITTINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM BY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE (OWNED 4/12/2007 TO PRESENT). ISSUE APPEARS BE RELATED TO COMPOSITE (NON-METALLIC) FUEL TANK DEFORMATION OVER TIME. LEAKING FUEL IS A SERIOUS SAFETY-ISSUE THAT MAY CAUSE POTENTIALLY SERIOUS INJURY, HARM, OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR, VEHICLE, AND OTHER PERSONS AND/OR PROPERTY.

NHTSA complaint #10434375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GAS TANK HAS SPREAD AND IS NO LONGER SECURELY MOUNTED TO THE MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA complaint #10397385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I PURCHASED A 2006 DUCATI SPORTCLASSIC FROM A DUCATI DEALER IN 2006, AND HAVE SINCE PUT APPROXIMATELY 2700 MILES ON THE BIKE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND PREMIUM FUEL USED. THE MOTORCYCLE'S GAS TANK IS MADE OF SOME SORT OF PLASTIC OR FIBERGLASS, AND SO IT HAS SPREAD TO THE POINT WHERE THE RUBBER CUPS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD IT TO THE FRAME ON EITHER SIDE ARE NO LONGER IN PLACE. SINCE THE TANK IS ONLY HELD ONTO THE FRAME VIA ONE SCREW MOUNT, THE TANK CAN BE ALMOST COMPLETELY LIFTED OFF OF THE FRAME IN THE FRONT. THE TANK HAS ALSO WARPED ON THE TOP RIGHT SIDE, IN A "WAVY" PATTERN. DUE TO THE LOOSENESS OF THE TANK, IF THIS BIKE WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT, THE TANK COULD COME OFF AND RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY BECOME A BOMB. IN ADDITION TO THE LOOSE TANK, SINCE IT HAS SPREAD ON THE BOTTOM, THE HANDLE BAR ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE NOW COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE TANK, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN AESTHETIC BLEMISH, AND REDUCES THE TURNING RADIUS, IN ADDITION TO POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY AT SLOW SPEEDS IF THE RIDER CATCHES HER HAND BETWEEN THE BAR AND TANK. I HAVE CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP NEARBY, AND THEY WILL TAKE PICTURES OF IT, AND HAVE TOLD ME THAT DUCATI WANTS THE DEALERSHIP TO "SHIM" THE TANK FIRST, MEANING THAT THEY WOULD ADD WASHERS ON EITHER SIDE TO TRY TO STABILIZE THE TANK. IF THIS IS UNABLE TO BE FIXED, DUCATI *MAY* REPLACE THE TANK WITH A TANK OF THE SAME TYPE OF MATERIAL, AND THE PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. IF THE BIKE, WHICH IS A 2006, IS OUT OF WARRANTY, DUCATI MAY MAKE ME PAY FOR THE "REPLACEMENT" TANK (APPROX $1800), AND HAS (TO DATE) OFFERED NO REAL SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE (I.E. A TANK MADE OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL).

NHTSA complaint #10395551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2006 DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC THE FUEL TANK EXPANDED AND NO LONGER REST ON THE FORWARD SUPPORTS. THE TANK ALSO IS DEFORMED AND SMALL BLISTER APPEARED.

NHTSA complaint #10383280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2006 DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE FUEL TANK HAS EXPANDED AND WARPED RESULTING IN IT BECOMING LOOSE FROM THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10378049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE FUEL TANK ON MY 2006 DUCATI PAUL SMART MOTORCYCLE IS DEFECTIVE. THE TANK HAS WARPED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS NO LONGER PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE MOTORCYCLE'S FRAME. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS, PERHAPS EVEN FATAL, INJURY TO THE RIDER. MY DUCATI DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK UNDER THE 5 YEAR EMISSIONS WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE TANK THAT DUCATI PROVIDED IS MADE FROM THE EXACT SAME COMPOSITE MATERIAL AS THE ONE THAT WENT BAD. I BELIEVE THE ETHANOL IN TODAY'S GASOLINE IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE OF TANK WARPAGE AND SEPARATION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HAVE DUCATI RECALL ALL THEIR SPORT CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES (WHICH INCLUDES MY 2006 PAUL SMART MODEL) TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WITH ONE THAT IS NOT AFFECTED BY ETHANOL. NOTE THAT MY MOTORCYCLE HAS FEWER THAN 350 MILES OVER THE 5 YEAR PERIOD. THIS IS A TRAVESTY ON DUCATI'S PART. SHAME ON THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10371995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE PLASTIC GAS TANK HAS "SPREAD" OR DEFORMED AND NO LONGER MOUNTS TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME CORRECTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10369624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SPREADING TANK ON MY 2006 DUCATI PAUL SMART SPORT CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE. THE TANKS SPREADS TO THE POINT WHERE IT DOES NOT FIT IN THE MOUNTING BRACKETS ON THE FRAME. THIS CAUSES THE TANKS TO BECOME DANGEROUSLY LOOSE MAKING THE MOTORCYCLE UNSAFE TO RIDE. THIS SWELLING AND SPREADING OF THE TANK CAN ALSO CAUSE A FAILURE IF THE O RING SEALING THE FUEL PETCOCK. THIS COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKING DIRECTLY ONTO A HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST CAUSING A FIRE OR EXPLOSION LIKELY TO CAUSE SEVERE BODILY INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA complaint #10369558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1. UNKNOWN 2. TANK EXPANSION (HAPPENED OVER 3 YRS) STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE REPLACEMENT. BEGAN TO GET LOOSE ON THE FRAME WHERE IT WOULD SEPARATE PARTLY FROM THE BIKE. 3. REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10369412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2006 DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC; RE: DEFECTIVE GAS TANK, SWELLS AND DEFORMS UNTIL IT EFFECTS STEERING (ACTUALLY GETS IN WAY OF HANDLE BAR AND COMES OFF FRONT MOUNTS LEAVING ONLY ONE BOLT HOLDING DOWN THE REAR). SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING ON ONLINE FORUMS. DUCATI WILL REPLACE A TANK ONCE IT SWELLS OR DEFORMS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL BUT THE REPLACEMENT WILL SOON START TO DO THE SAME.

NHTSA complaint #10369193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

2006 DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC; RE: DEFECTIVE GAS TANK, SWELLS AND DEFORMS UNTIL IT EFFECTS STEERING (ACTUALLY GETS IN WAY OF HANDLE BAR AND COMES OFF FRONT MOUNTS LEAVING ONLY ONE BOLT HOLDING DOWN THE REAR). SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AS MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING ON ONLINE FORUMS. DUCATI WILL REPLACE A TANK ONCE IT SWELLS OR DEFORMS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL BUT THE REPLACEMENT WILL SOON START TO DO THE SAME.

NHTSA complaint #10369193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE PLASTIC USED FUEL TANKS IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE MOTORCYCLES' FUEL, WHICH CAUSES THE TANKS TO RAPIDLY DEGRADE AND DEFORM AND LEADS TO A NUMBER OF UNSAFE CONDITIONS. AMONG OTHER THINGS, AS THE PLASTIC DEGRADES AND DEFORMS, THE FUEL TANKS INTERFERE WITH THE FULL RANGE OF STEERING, LEAK FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE, AND DESTABILIZE THE MOTORCYCLE'S WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION-OFTEN TO THE POINT THAT THE MOTORCYCLE CANNOT BE SAFELY OPERATED AFTER ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF USE.

NHTSA complaint #10367344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

GAS TANK IS EXPANDING OFF IT'S FRAME MOUNTS.

NHTSA complaint #10367225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2006 DUCATI SPORTCLASSIC HAS NOW HAD A THIRD PLASTIC TANK FITTED UNDER WARRANTY TO ADDRESS SPREADING AND DEFORMATION CAUSED BY ETHANOL; HOWEVER THE SAME COMPONENT IS BEING USED, GUARANTEEING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR.

NHTSA complaint #10366984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE GAS TANK ON MY 2006 DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE HAS BECOME DEFORMED AND THE MOUNTS CAN NO LONGER SECURELY HOLD THE TANK IN PLACE. THE MANUFACTURER MAY REPLACE THE TANK BUT IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE A GAS TANK MADE OF THE SAME DEFECTIVE MATERIAL.

NHTSA complaint #10367006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL TANK EXPANSION ON DUCATI. THIS CONDITION MAKES THE RIDER INSUFFICIENTLY "CONNECTED" TO THE BIKE.

NHTSA complaint #10367031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

STRUCTUAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK ON MY SPORT CLASSIC DUCATI MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA complaint #10366927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

LIKE JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE WHO OWNS A LATE MODEL DUCATI WITH A PLASTIC FUEL TANK, MY TANK IS DISTORTING AND SPREADING OVER TIME. IT'S NO LONGER IN CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING PUCKS AT THE FRONT OF THE FRAME, AND THEREFORE WIGGLES AROUND A SHIFTS POSITION. MY WIFE OWNS A SIMILAR MODEL, AND HER TANK DOES THE EXACT SAME THING. BOTH OF OUR BIKES ARE STORED INDOORS IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED GARAGE, AND HAVE NEVER BEEN CRASHED OR OTHERWISE DAMAGED. DUCATI KNOWS GOOD AND WELL THAT THEIR FUEL TANK DESIGNS HAVE A PROBLEM, AND THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION! THIS HAPPENS TO MOST OF THEIR OTHER MODELS AS WELL, BUT DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE TANK ON THE SPORT CLASSIC LINE, THE EFFECT IS MUCH MORE NOTICEABLE AND SERIOUS.

NHTSA complaint #10366929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL TANK IS MADE FROM A PLASTIC MATERIAL NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FUEL THAT CAN LEAD TO DEFORMATION, LEAKING, AND/OR TANK COMING LOOSE AND SHIFTING.

NHTSA complaint #10366931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE FUEL TANK ON MY 2006 DUCATI SPORT CLASSIC BECAME BADLY DISTORTED. IT WAS REPLACED 24 MARCH 2009. THE REPLACEMENT TANK IS NOW DISTORTED AS WELL. IT CONCERNS ME THAT IT MAY BE A HAZARD AS THE FIT IS POOR ENOUGH TO ALLOW SEPARATION OF THE TANK FROM THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #10366946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2006 DUCATI PAUL SMART 1000LE USES A FUEL TANK THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BEGINS TO DEFORM AND DEGRADE WHEN USING FUEL SOLD IN THE U.S. AFTER TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I HAD TO HAVE MY TANK REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT TANK IS MADE FROM THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE ORIGINAL TANK, THUS WILL MOST LIKELY DEFORM IN A FEW MORE YEARS. THE IS A CLASS ACTION SUITE FILED IN CALIFORNIA AGAINST DUCATI NORTH AMERICA.

NHTSA complaint #10366903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.