Model year guide

2018 Ducati Monster 821

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Ducati Monster 821 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2018 Ducati Monster 821 at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints3

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2018 Ducati Monster 821 recalls 3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #21V335000 · 11/05/2021

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2015-2021 Monster 821, 2014-2021 Monster 1200 S/STD, and 2016-2019 Monster 1200 R motorcycles. The rear brake hoses may be susceptible to heat damage.

Fix: Dealers will replace the rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #21V315000 · 04/05/2021

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Monster 797, Monster 1200, Supersport, 2016-2020 XDiavel, and 2018-2020 Monster 821 motorcycles. Air may permeate the rear brake system.

Fix: Dealers will install new rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2021. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446.

Power Train:manual Transmission NHTSA Campaign #18V835000 · manufacturer #SRV-RCL-18-007 · 27/11/2018

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Ducati Monster 1200, Monster 821, SuperSport and SuperSport S motorcycles. The shift lever may have been incorrectly assembled, possibly resulting in the shift knob detaching from the lever.

Fix: Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the gear lever shift knob tightness, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati's number for this recall is SRV-RCL-18-007.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2018 Ducati Monster 821 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Extended Stopping Distance Closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) based on twenty-two (22) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) for soft rear brakes caused by air seeping into the rear brake lines of model year (MY) 2012-2020 Ducati Monster, Multistrada, SuperSport, Panigale, Scrambler and Diavel motorcycles. The consumers were alleging that the rear brakes would not properly function unless the rear b…

NHTSA #PE21003 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes · opened Feb 2021 · closed Jul 2021

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 32

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 32.

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…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-24-001 · Suspension · Jan 2024

Rear Brake System Update Summary. Applicability: All Models. This Service Bulletin replaces and cancels bulletin SRV-SRB-23-060 published on 12/19/2023. This service bulletin informs dealers and service managers of the availability of new rear brake hoses inte…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-073 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2024

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 inte…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-060 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2023

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 b…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-036 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2023

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-2…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-037 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train · Jul 2023

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.…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-018R1 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2023

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 bullet…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-031 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2023

Tips and Tricks Revision 7 Summary. Range and motor error codes for the Multistrada; assembly procedure of the brake caliper mounting plate when refitting the rear wheel for the Monster; oil seal install instructions on dry clutch housing for the Panigale; and…

Bulletin TTB-23-001 rev07 · Structure, Electrical System, Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2023

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.

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-018 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2023

Overview of Rear Brake System Updates (USA). Applicability: All Models. This service bulletin provides dealers and service managers with a summary of the rear brake updates available for units with owner concerns involving rear brake function. It includes a ta…

Bulletin SRV-SRB-23-009 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 2023

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MONSTER 821. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2018 Ducati Monster 821. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Brakes

Issue: On certain motorcycles, the rear brake hose could become damaged by heat and fail. If this happens, there would be a sudden loss of rear brakes. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause an extended stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ducati will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your motorcycle to a dealer to replace the rea…

Transport Canada #2021283 · May 2021

Brakes

Issue: On certain motorcycles, air may seep into the rear brake system over time. If this happens, there could be reduced rear braking. Safety Risk: Reduced braking could cause an extended stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Ducati will notify owners by mail and instruct you take your motorcycle to a dealer to install a new rear brake hose.

Transport Canada #2021274 · May 2021

Powertrain

On certain motorcycles, the shift knob may not have been properly attached to the shift lever and could loosen while riding. If this were to occur, an operator may not be able to change gears, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the torque of the shift knob. If the shift knob is loose, the dealer wi…

Transport Canada #2018659 · Nov 2018

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

2018 Ducati Monster 821 vehicles on record

Other Ducati Monster 821 model years

2018 Ducati Monster 821 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Ducati Monster 821 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ducati Monster 821. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ducati Monster 821?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, engine, fuel/propulsion system.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.