Recall 20V781 affects 1,072 2018-2021 Ducati Scrambler motorcycles for exhaust cable contact with the battery wire. Repair is free at any franchised Ducati dealer.
Ducati is recalling 1,072 2018-2021 Scrambler motorcycles because the exhaust valve cable can touch the main positive battery wire and create an electrical short circuit. That short circuit increases the risk of fire, and Ducati dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The exhaust valve cable on 2018-2021 Ducati Scrambler motorcycles is a Bowden-style control cable for the exhaust valve. It moves the valve in the exhaust system so the motorcycle can manage exhaust flow, while the main positive battery wire carries electrical power from the battery into the motorcycle.
On affected motorcycles, the exhaust valve cable sits close enough to the main positive battery wire to make contact. That contact can wear against the battery wire or bridge the cable to a live power lead, creating a short circuit. Ducati's fix changes the cable routing and adds a retainer and zip tie so the exhaust valve cable stays away from the battery wire.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing says no warning will occur, so an owner should not count on a light, sound, or change in how the motorcycle rides before the short circuit risk appears.
Who's affected?
Each listed model year includes both the battery-cable issue and the exhaust-system issue.
| 2019 Ducati Scrambler | battery |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ducati Scrambler | Exhaust system |
| 2020 Ducati Scrambler | battery |
| 2020 Ducati Scrambler | Exhaust system |
| 2018 Ducati Scrambler | battery |
| 2018 Ducati Scrambler | Exhaust system |
| 2021 Ducati Scrambler | battery |
| 2021 Ducati Scrambler | Exhaust system |
| Units affected | 1,072 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short-circuit increases the risk of fire. There is no warning sign before failure, so treat this as a repair to schedule soon and avoid ignoring a recall notice tied to your VIN. Repair is free at any franchised Ducati dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2021 Ducati Scrambler is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ducati dealer to schedule the free cable-guide and self-locking cable-tie installation that keeps the exhaust valve cable away from the main positive battery wire.
- Bring the recall notice if Ducati mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V781 when you call.
- Call Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446 with questions about the repair or dealer scheduling.
- Avoid extra riding until the repair is complete because an electrical short increases fire risk.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ducati technician installs a new cable guide and self locking cable tie for the exhaust valve cable. The new layout keeps that cable from contacting the main positive battery cable and shorting. Parts and labor are covered at no charge under the recall, regardless of warranty status. Ducati's reimbursement plan covers eligible repairs owners paid for before the recall notice, and includes support for roadside assistance when a covered motorcycle needs transport to a Ducati authorized repair facility. Contact Ducati customer service with documentation for a reimbursement request.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 15, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 21, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| December 24, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 22, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 25, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 25, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V781?
Recall 20V781 covers 1,072 2018-2021 Ducati Scrambler motorcycles. The exhaust valve cable can contact the main positive battery wire and short-circuit, which increases fire risk. Ducati dealers will install a new cable guide and self-locking cable tie for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2021 Ducati Scrambler is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 20V781. If it is, contact a franchised Ducati dealer to schedule the cable guide and cable tie repair. Reference recall 20V781 or Ducati recall number SRV-RCL-20-003 when you call.
Is the Ducati Scrambler recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ducati's remedy states that dealers will install the new cable guide and self-locking cable tie free of charge at a franchised Ducati dealer.
What is the safety risk on this Ducati Scrambler recall?
The safety risk is fire. Ducati reported that the exhaust valve cable can contact the main positive battery wire and create an electrical short-circuit. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair and ask the dealer what to do if you smell smoke or see electrical damage.
What if I bought my Ducati Scrambler used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the motorcycle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Scrambler is included, then contact a franchised Ducati dealer and reference recall 20V781 when you schedule the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V781000 |
|---|---|
| Ducati customer service | 1-888-391-5446 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V781 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V781000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →