Recall 22V217 affects 27 2020-2021 Piaggio MP3 500 scooters for brake fluid contamination. Repair is free at any franchised Piaggio dealer.
Piaggio is recalling 27 2020-2021 MP3 500 scooters because zinc plating from the brake hose terminal fittings can contaminate the brake fluid and reduce braking performance. Brakes that require more force at the lever or pedal increase the risk of a crash, and Piaggio dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake pipes on the 2020-2021 Piaggio MP3 500 carry brake fluid through the hydraulic braking system. When you squeeze the brake lever or press the pedal, that fluid moves under pressure and applies the brakes. The metal terminal fittings at the ends of the pipes are plated with zinc to protect the fittings.
On affected scooters, the zinc plating treatment on those terminal fittings was not correct. Hydrogen left in the treated metal is released into the brake fluid as bubbles, especially after the scooter sits unused for a long period. Gas in brake fluid compresses under lever or pedal pressure, so less hydraulic pressure reaches the brakes and braking performance decreases.
The warning sign is extra travel in the brake levers or pedal with low pressure after a long period of inactivity. If the lever or pedal moves farther than normal before the brakes respond, treat that as the sign described in recall 22V217.
Who's affected?
Both model years involve the hydraulic brake system, with a different brake pipe listed for each year.
| 2020 Piaggio MP3 500 | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2021 Piaggio MP3 500 | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 27 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific scooter is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the brake levers or pedal have excessive travel or low pressure after the MP3 500 sits unused, braking performance is not normal. The rider has to apply more force, which increases the risk of a crash. Treat that feel as a reason to ride cautiously and schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Piaggio dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Piaggio MP3 500 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Piaggio dealer to schedule the free brake-system flush that removes contaminated brake fluid and restores expected brake performance.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 22V217 when you call.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra stopping distance and avoid hard braking when traffic allows.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Piaggio technician performs a complete brake system flush to remove brake fluid tied to the brake hose terminal fitting issue. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid for a related brake-system repair before the recall notice, ask the Piaggio dealer or Piaggio customer service about submitting documentation under the general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 1, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 11, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| April 11, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 18, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 18, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 18, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V217?
Recall 22V217 covers 27 2020-2021 Piaggio MP3 500 scooters with brake hose terminal fittings that can contaminate the brake fluid and reduce brake performance. Piaggio dealers will perform a complete brake system flush for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Piaggio MP3 500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific scooter is included in recall 22V217. If it is, contact a franchised Piaggio dealer to schedule the complete brake system flush. Reference recall number 22V217 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. Piaggio dealers will complete the brake system flush free of charge for an included 2020-2021 MP3 500 scooter, regardless of where it was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced brake performance. Contaminated brake fluid can make the brakes perform below expectation and require more force on the brake levers or pedals, increasing crash risk. Schedule the free brake system flush once your VIN is confirmed.
When were owners notified about recall 22V217?
Piaggio mailed owner notification letters on April 18, 2022. If you bought the scooter used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your MP3 500 is included, then call a franchised Piaggio dealer or Piaggio customer service at 1-212-380-4400.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V217000 |
|---|---|
| Piaggio customer service | 1-212-380-4400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V217 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V217000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →