Ducati MTS 1000: problems, complaints, bulletins

Summary for the Ducati MTS 1000 across 3 model years: 22 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
2006	2	0	0	0
2004	19	0	0	0
2003	1	0	0	0

What fails most often

1 Fuel system 59% of all complaints
2 Fuel/propulsion system 18% of all complaints
3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
4 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
5 Structure 5% of all complaints
6 Visibility 5% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Fuel system: 13 complaints (59% of all).
Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints (18% of all).
Service brakes: 3 complaints (14% of all).
Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (5% of all).
Structure: 1 complaints (5% of all).

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 22 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

fuel system, fuel smell3 · 14%
vibration2 · 9%
jerking, harsh shifts2 · 9%
smoke, burning smell, fire1 · 5%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Fuel system	13	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	4	0	0
Service brakes	3	0	0
Engine and cooling	1	0	0
Structure	1	0	0
Visibility	1	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

The fuel tank has deformed and expanded (especially in length) to the point it is stuck in the frame and can't be removed for valve adjustment or other normal maintenance services.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2004 · 2013-02-27 · NHTSA complaint #10500617
Fuel tank swelled and deformed resulting is a fuel leak at the fuel pump under the seat.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2006 · 2012-12-02 · NHTSA complaint #10486709
Plastic fuel tank has expanded to render the motorcycle unsafe as it interferes with the movement of the handlebars. Ethanol in the pump fuel is the cause.
Fuel/propulsion system · 2004 · 2012-06-13 · NHTSA complaint #10461630
Plastic fuel tank expanded and also has slight leakage onto rear wheel due to deformation preventing seal. Tank now too long to fit back onto motorcycle (expanded about 3/4"). Mounting system no longer operable with this oversized tank.
Fuel system · 2003 · 2012-04-17 · NHTSA complaint #10455543
The warping of the tank could lead to fuel leakage, and has happened to many others. Ducati is selectively replacing these tanks, but in some cases (mine) being denied because there is no leak (yet).
Fuel system · 2004 · 2010-09-16 · NHTSA complaint #10355981
Expanding and leaking plastic motorcycle fuel tank. Presents fire danger and ill fitment and attachment to the frame.
Fuel system · 2004 · 2010-06-18 · NHTSA complaint #10336956

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20053
20061
20081
20091
20109
20111
20124
20131
20141

What to check before buying

Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.

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 2026-11-05.