Recall 12V399 affects 2,411 2012-2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale motorcycles for a steering damper bearing defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ducati dealer.
Ducati is recalling 2,411 2012-2013 1199 Panigale motorcycles because an incorrectly assembled Uniball bearing on the Ohlins steering damper can slip out of its seat. If the steering damper detaches from its mounting point, the rider can lose control and crash; the Ducati dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering damper on the 2012-2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale is the small Ohlins stabilizer connected to the steering system. Its job is to slow sudden handlebar movement and help the front end stay controlled when the road surface, braking load, or acceleration tries to shake the bars.
On affected motorcycles, the problem is at the damper rod eyelet, where a Uniball bearing sits in its seat. Because the assembly tolerance is incorrect, that bearing can slip out of position. Once it moves out of its seat, the damper no longer holds the rod eyelet as designed, so the steering damper cannot do its full job.
Owners are not given a specific warning sign in the recall filing. There is no warning sign before failure. If the bearing has moved, the change is found by inspecting the steering damper area rather than waiting for a dashboard light or ride symptom.
Who's affected?
Both model years list the same steering-system component.
| 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale | steering system |
| Units affected | 2,411 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the steering damper detaches from its mounting point, the motorcycle can lose steering stability and the rider can lose control, increasing crash risk. Ride cautiously and contact the dealer if the front end feels unstable. Repair will be free at any franchised Ducati dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ducati dealer to ask whether the free steering-damper washer installation is open for your VIN.
- Bring the recall notice if Ducati mailed one. If not, reference recall number 12V399 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete, and avoid hard cornering or high-speed riding.
- Call Ducati customer service at 1-800-231-6696 with questions about the steering damper repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ducati technician will install a special washer at the steering damper's mounting point. That washer is meant to keep the damper rod eyelet's Uniball bearing seated correctly after the assembly tolerance issue described in the recall. This section does not show an available remedy status, so treat the dealer repair as free once Ducati opens it. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| August 10, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 15, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V399?
Recall 12V399 covers 2,411 2012-2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale motorcycles with a steering damper bearing that can slip out of place because of incorrect assembly tolerance. The damper can detach from its mounting point and lead to loss of control. Ducati dealers install a special washer for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 12V399. If it is, contact an authorized Ducati dealer to schedule installation of the special washer at the steering damper mounting point. Reference recall 12V399 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ducati's remedy says authorized dealers will install the special washer free of charge. Ask the dealer to confirm the open recall before the appointment.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of motorcycle control. In recall 12V399, the steering damper can detach from its mounting point if the Uniball bearing slips out of its seat. Ducati links that failure to an increased crash risk, so confirmed vehicles need the dealer repair.
When did Ducati start this recall repair?
Ducati began the safety recall on October 15, 2012. If your 2012-2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale still has an open recall, an authorized Ducati dealer installs the steering damper washer free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V399000 |
|---|---|
| Ducati customer service | 1-800-231-6696 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V399 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V399000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →