NHTSA Complaint #761897 — 1999 DUCATI 748MONO

I NOTICED THAT THE TANK HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK AT THE HINGE SEAM, WHICH ALLOWED FUEL TO DRIP DOWN ONTO THE CYLINDERS AND EXHAUST HEADERS. RECOGNIZING THIS AS A SERIOUS HAZARD I CONTACTED THE DEALER. THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS AS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND CONTACTED DUCATI USA ON MY BEHALF. THE DEALER MANAGED TO GET A REPLACEMENT TANK AND INSTALLED IT. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE TANK, BUT WAS CHARGED FOR THE LABOR. DUCATI USA SAID THAT THE WARRANTY HAD ENDED AND THAT THEY REPLACED THE TANK AS A "GOOD WILL" WARRANTY AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. DUCATI USA REFUSED MY REQUEST FOR A REFUND OF THE SERVICE CHARGE. IF THEY ARE AWARE OF SUCH A DEFECT AND CAN RECOGNIZE THE POTENTIAL HAZARD, THEN WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL ISSUE, AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A FAULTY CONPONENT. I WISH TO COMMEND ANNETTE RUGGIRELLO OF NORTH BAY MOTORSPORTS FOR HER OBTAINING A NEW TANK AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE THE E-MAIL THAT I SENT TO DUCATI USA AND THEIR RESPONSE WHICH I WILL MAKE AVAILABLE TO YOU UPON REQUEST.*AK