Fiat Ducato Recall R/2004/181: Possibility Of Loss Of Brake Fluids And Extended Pedal Travel, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 1 Oct 2004
- Launched
- 4,322
- vehicles in the UK
- 4852
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Fiat recalled Ducato vehicles built between 4 January 2004 and 12 March 2004. The brake hoses may chafe on the wheel aches and in extreme cases cause a brake fluid leak. The dealer will replace the brake hoses if worn. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The brake hoses may chafe on the wheel aches and in extreme cases cause a brake fluid leak. The driver will be informed of the defect by the illumination of a warning lamp on the dashboard. If ignored then this will result in longer than expected stopping distances.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF BRAKE FLUIDS AND EXTENDED PEDAL TRAVEL Defect: The brake hoses may chafe on the wheel aches and in extreme cases cause a brake fluid leak. The driver will be informed of the defect by the illumination of a warning lamp on the dashboard. If ignored then this will result in longer than expected stopping distances. Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles and visually inspect the front brake hoses reinforcement and protection. The brake hoses if worn will be replaced.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in longer than expected stopping distances.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the brake hoses if worn.
Are You Affected?
Ducato built between 4 January 2004 and 12 March 2004 may be included. Fiat estimates 4,322 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Fiat, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Fiat.
- Book with any franchised Fiat dealer, quoting the campaign code 4852 or the DVSA reference R/2004/181. See how to get a Fiat recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DucatoFiat Professional 2025/2026 Ducato (290/295). Fuel pipe leak | Urgent | R/2026/044 | |
| DucatoFiat Professional Ducato. Instrument panel cluster software | Urgent | R/2025/320 | |
| DucatoFiat Ducato may have been fitted with the incorrect radio | Book soon | R/2024/402 | |
| DucatoFiat Ducato 2024. Proxy update. Vehicle does not comply to emission regulatory requirements | Low | R/2024/334 | |
| DucatoCertain kinds of vehicle acceleration could cause the speed limiter to turn off | Low | R/2022/263 |
This is one of 199 Fiat recalls in DVSA’s data. The Fiat recall launched before it was R/2004/079 on 30 May 2004, for possibility that the accelerator pedal could foul on the floor. The one launched after it was R/2004/144 on 15 Nov 2004, for rear seat belt anchorage point not conforming. You can also see every Fiat recall, the Fiat Ducato recall history, all recalls launched in 2004 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2004/181, launched 1 October 2004. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.