AI Damage2018 Ducati Scrambler 800 Cafe Racer reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Ducati Scrambler 800 Cafe Racer filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes. The maker issued 25 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 25
What fails most often
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I had this motorcycle serviced on March 18th, 2022 with 11,299 miles on the odometer. At that service in March of 2022, the technician indicated that the brakes were "1-Good" on a scale of 1-3, with 3 being "unroadworthy." Within those 4 months between the braking issue, there was no indication that the brakes needed…
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 21,984 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 32% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Scrambler 800 Cafe Racer has 2 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 1, below average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Procedure for Assessing Front Fork Oil Leaks. Applicability
All Models. This service repair bulletin informs dealers and service managers of the assessment criteria for identifying front fork-related defects. The purpose is prevent technicians from mistaking oozing oil or…
- Rear Brake System Update Summary. Applicability
All Models. This Service Bulletin replaces and cancels bulletin SRV-SRB-23-053 published on 10/17/2023. This service bulletin informs dealers and service managers of the availability of new rear brake hoses intended to…
- Finial Drive Chain Maintenance Precautions. Applicability
All Models and Model Years (except XDiavel). This Service Bulletin replaces and cancels the previous bulletins: SRV-SRB-18-030 published on 05/11/2018, SRV-SRB-19-046 published on 12/31/2019, SRV-SRB-20-050 published…
- Guided Diagnosis for Front Brake System Bleeding. Applicability
All Models. This Service Bulletin replaces and cancels the previous bulletin SRV-SRB-20-014 published on 4/17/2020. It provides dealers and service managers with needed information to correctly bleed the front brake…
- Procedure for Analysis and Control of Oil and Coolant Leaks from Engine_Rev.01. Applicability
All Models. This service repair bulletin instructs dealers and service managers on authorized procedures for identifying and isolating coolant and engine oil leaks. The use of a prescribed leak trace powder is…
- Precautions to Follow During Crankcase Cleaning. Applicability
All Models. This service bulletin informs dealers and service managers about precautions in using abrasive cleaners for engine component sealant, and in particular the crankcase covers. The bulletin further provides…
- Procedure for Analysis and Control of Oil and Coolant Leaks from Engine. Applicability
All Models. This service bulletin provides dealers and service managers with troubleshooting guidance for oil or coolant leaks. This bulletin includes service instructions.
- Overview of Rear Brake System Updates. Applicability
All Models. This service repair bulletin provides dealers and service managers a provides a summary of the updates available for motorcycles that have Customer concerns about a slight elongation, over time and use, of…
- CR235 â Checking Proper Configuration of Options Installed on the Motorcycle. Applicability
All Models (USA & MEX country versions only) . This technical service bulletin informs dealers and service managers of required BBS electronic configuration for the subject units. The bulletin also provides affected…
- Overview of Rear Brake System Updates. Applicability
All US Models. This service bulletin provides a summary of the updates available for motorcycles that have Customer concerns about a slight elongation, over time and use, of rear brake pedal stroke. This Service…
- Service Operation Manual Update 2022. Applicability
All Models, all model years. This service bulletin informs dealers and service manages of service and operations updates to the Operations Manual.
- Tips & Tricks V 01 - Applicability
All models. Pg 13 : Possible damage to water pump gear oil seal. Diavel 1260 (all model versions). Pg. 15: Indication for replacement of brake hoses under warranty. Multistrada V4 PP, Pg. 41, Possible presence of error…
NHTSA lists 25 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ducati Scrambler 800 Cafe Racer?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes. Total complaints: 1.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Ducati Scrambler 800 Cafe Racer?
NHTSA lists 25 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Ducati Scrambler 800 Cafe Racer from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
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.