VehicleVerdict

2018 Ducati Panigale V4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Panigale V4 years?

Panigale V4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted7 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 2 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Panigale V4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Panigale V4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers571%
Engine114%
Fuel System114%

Does the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V570000TransmissionSeptember 3, 2025 · 10,235 units

Defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Panigale V4 SL, 2019-2024 Panigale V4 R, 2018-2024 Panigale V4 S, 2023-2025 Streetfighter, 2018-2024 Panigale V4, and 2020-2022 Streetfighter V4 motorcycles. The rear wheel axle could lose its structural integrity and break.

Consequence

A rear wheel axle that breaks while riding can result in a loss of motorcycle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the rear wheel axle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. The manufacturer's number for this recall is SRV-RCL-25-002.

19V382000Fuel SystemMay 20, 2019 · 1,880 units

Defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Panigale V4, Panigale V4 S, Panigale Speciale, and 2019 Panigale R motorcycles. Excessive pressure in the fuel tank may cause fuel to spray when opening the fuel cap.

Consequence

Fuel spray can increase the risk of injury and a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel cap venting system, provide an updated page for the owner's manual, and affix a warning label decal to the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati's number for this recall is SRV-RCL-19-001. Note: This recall includes motorcycles that may have been previously remedied under recall 18V-238 for a similar issue.

18V854000EngineNovember 30, 2018 · 1,502 units

Defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ducati Panigale V4, V4 S and V4 SP motorcycles. The timing chain tensioner may loosen over time, possibly causing oil to leak from the bottom of the tensioner adjustment bolt.

Consequence

An oil leak can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the timing chain tensioner bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 24, 2019. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446.

18V834000EngineNovember 27, 2018 · 1,663 units

Defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ducati Panigale V4, V4 S, and V4 SP motorcycles. The oil cooler output port may crack, causing an oil leak.

Consequence

An engine oil leak can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil cooler, free of charge. The recall began January 24, 2019. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446.

18V480000BrakesJuly 19, 2018 · 72 units

Defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2018 Ducati Panigale V4, Panigale 959, Panigale 1299 FE, and Hypermotard motorcycles. The friction material on the rear brake pads may detach from the backing plate.

Consequence

If the rear brake pad friction material detaches, it may lengthen the distance needed to stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake pads. Brake pads from the affected batch will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2018. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446.

18V239000Fuel SystemApril 16, 2018 · 692 units

Defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2018 Ducati Panigale V4, Panigale V4 S, and Panigale V4 Speciale motorcycles. Fuel may leak from the gas tank's internal breathing system valve plug.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will replace the plug and the O-ring, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446.

18V238000Fuel SystemApril 16, 2018 · 692 units

Defect

Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2018 Ducati Panigale V4, Panigale V4 S, and Panigale V4 Speciale motorcycles. Fuel may spray out of the gas tank when the tank cap is opened.

Consequence

If fuel spills out of the tank when it is opened, it can increase the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Remedy

Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will rework the fuel tank cap to improve the fuel tank's breathing capacity, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE REAR VIEW SIDE MIRRORS ARE VERY FRAGILE AND BREAK VERY EASILY, EITHER WHILE RIDING ON A ROUGH ROAD, ADJUSTING THE MIRROR WHILE STATIONARY, OR A LIGHT BUMP IN A PARKING LOT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME ONE HAS BROKEN ON ME AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 20, 2019

“POTENTIAL OIL COOLER FAILURE AT THE "B" NUT JOINT AS OBSERVED ON THREE MOTORCYCLES WORLDWIDE. VEHICLES IN HUNGRY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM WERE IN MOTION WHEN FAILURES OCCURRED. OWNER THAT SUBMITTED THIS INCIDENT INFORMATION HAS PHOTOS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN OIL COOLER JOINT THAT IS ABOUT TO FAIL.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 28, 2018

“THIS NEW BIKE IS CUTTING OFF AND ON THE FUEL LEADING TO ONE BUCKING MOTORCYCLE THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS OR DEATH VERY BAD ON DECELERATION. NOT ON ACCELERATION EXTREME DANGER FOR THIS TYPE OF MACHINE IT'S A NEW ENGINE NEW BIKE BY DUCATI”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 8, 2018

2018 Ducati Panigale V4 — common questions

Is the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.