AI DamageAprilia Falco reliability: problems, complaints, recalls
Summary for the Aprilia Falco across 3 model years: 3 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 67% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (67% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph the brakes failed causing a crash. The motorcycle was driven to the dealer where it was determined the brake piston was cracked. The rider was injured. The motorcycle is a 2003 aprilia sl falco 1000.
According to the dealership this is a relatively common problem with aprilia & ducati due to the composite gas tanks and ethanol fuel used in the us, causing a weakening of the composites and fuel leakage.
Gas tank leaking fuel from fuel pump mounting plate due to plastic fuel tank deformation. Deformation reportedly caused by ethanol in gasoline. Volume of gasoline leaked was sufficient to cause a considerable fire. Fuel tank was drained to prevent fire. New fuel tank installed but subject to the same failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.