- The problem
- Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 998 motorcycles. Also included are universal steering damper kits with part numbers SD 000 through SD 005. The affected brackets may crack.
- The risk
- If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.
- The fix
- Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Ducati 748 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1997 Ducati 748 with NHTSA, most often about the wheels & tires (1) and the electrical system (1). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in April 2014 for the equipment. For comparison, the 1996 has 0 and the 1998 has 5.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 748 year, for its age
#234 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Ducati 748 problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Ducati 748 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Vehicle description: motorcycles equipped with a rear wheel hub spindle. Internal cracks may be present on the rear wheel spindle.
- The risk
- This condition could cause the spindle to fail affecting the control of the motorcycle, and could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the rear wheel spindle and replace if necessary.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 1997 Ducati 748
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Hard chrome plating on face of rocker arms, that contact camshaft, flakes off and becomes suspended in the oil system. Rocker arms without plating wear cam shafts and rocker arms. I have this issue on my 1997 ducati, and know of numerous other cases. Ducati will only repair rocker arms that have currently failed and require that I pay for labor. They will not pay to repair all rocker arms, yet still insist that I pay for all labor - even on future probable failures. This is known to be a problem on 1997 and 1998 ducati model 748 motorcycles. The chrome flakes off in large segments and could possibly clog oil passages - causing the engine siezure.
Driveline to the rear wheel affected the attachment of the wheel. Bushline fell & grinded down a retaining nut. This was repaired once before last year. Dealer will be contacted. *Ak
Electrical wire harness/voltage regulator malfunctioned in the motorcycle. Melted wire harness & generator wires were located in or near the engine area. The battery light came on. The motorcycle was still drivable. Has taken motorcycle to dealer & electrical wire harness was repaired. *Ak
Ducati 748: every year compared
All 748 years1997 Ducati 748 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Ducati 748 | 3 | 2 | F | |
| 1997 Ducati Ducati | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Ducati 900S | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Ducati 748
Does the 1997 Ducati 748 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 Ducati 748: equipment (April 2014); hubcap / cover (December 1999). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ducati 748?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the wheels & tires (1), electrical system (1), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 1997 Ducati 748 had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 27, 1999 and the latest on August 1, 2000. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Ducati 748 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ducati 748 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ducati 748 years have the most complaints?
1998 (5), 1997 (3), 2000 (2). See every Ducati 748 year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Ducati 748 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data