How good is your warranty? Ducati NA warranty COMES THROUGH!! (changed)

[VIVID1]

My digital dash started malfunctioning last year while udner warranty (some of the LCD segments failed to display). I claimed I was in a torrential downpour. DNA claimed I must have tried to power-wash the bike and hit the seam of the dash. With prodding from the dealer DNA covered a new dash.

On your '05 Ducati ST3? That is interesting. I had the same problem.

RickC1957 and I did a weekend ride last year. Lots of rain. It rained most of Saturday, rained all night and rained really hard all of Sunday. That was the weekend the roads got washed away in SW Wisconsin and SE Minnesota.  That same weekend the Moto Guzzi rally got flooded and washed in to the river.

Our bikes are both ‘05 ST3’s. On Sunday both of our dashes went crazy most of the 350 mile ride home. Either not lighting up when they should have been lit or random lights lighting by themselves. Even my signals were going on and off by themselves. Mine I guess dried out and it’s been OK since. Ricks dash needed to be replaced.

Them Ducs don’t like getting wet.

[Orson]

That same weekend the Moto Guzzi rally got flooded and washed in to the river.

this is incorrect.

if I remember correctly from the posted pictures...cars and trucks were washed away.

The Guzzi demo fleet was still sitting there as if nuthin had happened.  

[Oilhed]

Something sounds fishy to me. Take it to a different dealer. I know that my local dealer stuck up for me on numerous occasions and got them to warranty items. I think it's your dealer that is sucking.

james

I got a new fuel tank under waranty no questions asked simply because the gas cap did not seat properly.  I'm very happy with Ducati NA and my dealer, Cliff's Cyclerevolution aka Danbury BMW.

[VIVID1]

this is incorrect.

if I remember correctly from the posted pictures...cars and trucks were washed away.

The Guzzi demo fleet was still sitting there as if nuthin had happened.  

Da Nile is a river in Egypt  

[atadaskew]

I got a new fuel tank under waranty no questions asked simply because the gas cap did not seat properly.  I'm very happy with Ducati NA and my dealer, Cliff's Cyclerevolution aka Danbury BMW.

Was that covered under the Ducati 2 year warranty?  Or was it under the 5 year emissions warranty?  If it is w/in the 2 year then usually Ducati is ok

[Oilhed]

Was that covered under the Ducati 2 year warranty?  Or was it under the 5 year emissions warranty?  If it is w/in the 2 year then usually Ducati is ok

2 year

[rgbeard]

I understand what you are saying but dammit I find that I have principles!  

So do I.   I use www.casepost.com

[atadaskew]

So do I.   I use www.casepost.com

Thank you!

[Flyer]

Personally, I'd reconnect with DNA and be very frank with 'em.
Tell them in no uncertain terms about the damage you WILL do by relating the story to any and all motorcycle lists/forums/groups/groupies. You have the power to cause them to signal the '09 fleet to turn around and go home to Europe; they'll sell no more...
They're bound to reconsider for the cost of a bloody tank...
Don't forget, the default corporate response position is NO.

[atadaskew]

Personally, I'd reconnect with DNA and be very frank with 'em.

In my final response to them I had mentioned that I post on numerous websites and have previously had posted nothing but praise for them, and that I would like to be able to continue to do so.
Their response, and I quote:

"Ducati has made their best effort to resolve this issue amicably and we have attempted to explain our position and conclude this matter in a reasonable and professional manner.  It is our hope that you understand our position and continue to remain a Ducati enthusiast.  Unfortunately, at this time Ducati must consider this issue closed."

In actuality Ducati did not make ANY attempt to resolve this issue amicably and professionally, unless by that they mean a flat out denial of warranty coverage of an item that is listed as being covered by the emissions warranty.
I would have accepted an offer to repair the tank, which would have been much cheaper for them than to replace it but their idea of  a resolution is to just say No.

[Bodhi]

Not trying to be funny, but were you in a torrential downpour or did you claim to be?

Well, torrential is a subjective thing. One person's torrential downpour is another person's light rain. Seriously though, one of the segments on the fuel gauge was out brand new from the dealer. I didn't realize there was even a segment in that position until I saw another ST3 dash about six months later. More segments went out after I rode home in what I would describe as a squall - rain coming down sideways with thunder and lightning. The only reason I kept riding in it (like around 15mph on a 45mph road) was because I was only about a mile from home and there was nowhere to hide from the storm. I never powerwashed the bike, though I used a fairly powerful spray nozzle to wash the bike when it was very dirty a few times. Did I spray it at the dash? As they say in Washington: I don't recollect. (I cover up the dash with a small piece of polyethelene when I wash it now).

[RickC1957]

My digital dash started malfunctioning last year while udner warranty (some of the LCD segments failed to display). I claimed I was in a torrential downpour. DNA claimed I must have tried to power-wash the bike and hit the seam of the dash. With prodding from the dealer DNA covered a new dash.

My dash was also fried out, exact same problem, except I have rode thru some of the worse downpours on the planet with my 05 ST3. Anna also rode thru the same downpours on her ST3, had no problem with her dash. DNA covered the dash after prodding from my dealer. I still lose 12 minutes a month on the clock tho, this happen with the old and new dash.

[1moreroad]

My dash was also fried out, exact same problem, except I have rode thru some of the worse downpours on the planet with my 05 ST3. Anna also rode thru the same downpours on her ST3, had no problem with her dash. DNA covered the dash after prodding from my dealer. I still lose 12 minutes a month on the clock tho, this happen with the old and new dash.

My buddy's ST4s dash acted up every once in a while.  Not sure what he did about it.

[motoguy128]

Ducati must source their dash electronics from the same supplier as BMW's EWS antenna ring.    Probably  bothmade in Poland.

[prshguy]

Just a thought here to ad to your argument.  It seems DNA is denying your claim due to an assumtion that the owner, you, put in faulty fuel.  But there is another possiblity here, is your fuel cap leaking?  Not out, but in?  If that is the case they most certainly should be liable since proper sealing of the fuel system is most definitely an emissions issue.

[notarian]

Atadaskew,

I'd be very surprised if my Ducati dealer didn't cover the tank on warranty and really f..ked off if he didn't. It would mean the difference of further service, maintenance costs and perhaps another bike purchase that wouldn't be coming his way. Fortunately, we have a good customer/dealer relationship and know each other well.

I know all Ducati dealers and continental agencies should react the same on warranty issues, but unfortunately they don't.

Best of Luck with resolving this to your satisfaction.

Note

[Oilhed]

My dash was also fried out, exact same problem, except I have rode thru some of the worse downpours on the planet with my 05 ST3.

I still lose 12 minutes a month on the clock tho, this happen with the old and new dash.

Mine went south, too.  Everything died, no lights, etc.  But, it still ran.  I pulled the fuse and when I put it back everything worked, OK.  My dealer replaced it under warranty, just in case, no problem.  The new one gets a little fogging but 2 years later all is OK.  I rode throught the worse rain for over 500 miles on the new dash about two years ago but the problem never resurfaced.  It does loose minutes every month.  Maybe it's metric time!

I also have to add that the dealer that did all this with no problems and gave me a loaner for over a week was not where I bought the bike.  In fact I never bought a bike from them but they treated just as good when I had my BMW, too.

[Paul Barnard]

For the life of me I can't figure out why Ducati won't step up and take care of you.  Especially in light of the fact you are a multi Ducati owner.  This is one of those cases where it will cost them way more money to stick it to you than stick up for you.  I didn't know Ducati could afford this kind of black eye.  It's not like they are gobbling up market share right now.

[atadaskew]

Just a thought here to ad to your argument.  It seems DNA is denying your claim due to an assumtion that the owner, you, put in faulty fuel.  But there is another possiblity here, is your fuel cap leaking?  Not out, but in?  If that is the case they most certainly should be liable since proper sealing of the fuel system is most definitely an emissions issue.

Their rejection claim was "environmental damage" not faulty fuel.  Even though that is not listed anywhere in the emissions warranty limitations as a reason for rejection.
The bike has never seen rain, and the fuel cap is air tight so nothing could have got passed that.  I know this as unless the fuel vent breather is properly routed (i.e. fixing the dealership accidentally pinching it when putting the gas tank back down) the tank makes a woooosh sucking sound when you open the cap.

[atadaskew]

Happy ending!  I got a call from Ducati NA and they have changed their mind!  They will warranty the tank and have it repaired.  I am completely happy with that!

Thank you everyone for your help/advice/good vibes!