Ducati has issued a recall for 2010 F1098S Streetfighters for a problem with a loose ground screw in the ECU. Please read the details below.
Manufacturer: Ducati North America
Models affected: 2010 Ducati F1098S Streetfighter
NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V365000
Potential Units Affected: 247
Problem: Ducati is recalling model year 2010 F1098S Streetfighter motorcycles. The electronic control unit ground screw may have been improperly tightened during production which can cause the engine to stall. Stalling while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action: Dealers will retighten the ground screw free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during October 2009. Owners may contact Ducati dealer at 800-231-6696.
A recall for a loose screw?
These days, companies have to issue recalls for a loose screw and in today’s legal environment, it’s probably the best course of action, but, isn’t there some point when an issue is minor enough that it can be dealt with on the next dealer visit or by sending the owner a notice with instructions on how to take care of it? This loose screw might cause the engine to stall, so can running out of gas. If I owned one of these Ducatis, I would take a look and snug it up, but that’s just me.
reffect says
I don’t own said Ducati (I wish), but Ducatis are bought by all walks of life–even by those with no mechanical inclinations whatsoever. So I can see why Ducati performs recalls on things so trivial as a loos screw–especially if access to said screw is only accessible by removing something else.
todd says
It’s a good way to get people in for service. They can say “we might as well do the valves and oil now that we have it all apart”. That way it will be more likely that it has a service history and will be more valuable to sell to the next customer when the original owner trades it in.
-todd
coho says
@ todd,
I hadn’t considered the paper trail aspect, there are probably lots of people who would want that who hadn’t either. Thanks.
Never having bought a bike I didn’t intend to keep until it was stolen or ceased to function, I’d probably have been happy just to get an impersonal email from a Customer Relations robot telling me to go out and tighten the ground screw.
Prestons says
I think Ducati has been listening to their attorneys. Losing a product liability case could be very, very expensive. Look at all the precautions engraved on a bike and printed in the owner’s manual.