2021 Sondors Metacycle Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Sondors Metacycle, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical633.3%
- Engine422.2%
- Powertrain (other)422.2%
- Brakes211.1%
- Other / unspecified211.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Motorcycle goes from Drive mode to Park mode and then doesn’t go back into drive mode. This happens while riding. Tried calling the sondors hotline but the company is bankrupt. Checked online and it seems multiple customers have this problem. This is highly unsafe.
Complete engine power failure while driving in traffic. Unable to engage powertrain. Vehicle would not enter drive mode. Vehicle completely disabled. Was stranded on side of the road in unsafe location There are several other reports on various message boards (Reddit, etc) of similar issues with Sondors Metacycles. There was no warning prior to this happening. sudden engine shutdown/failure.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Complete engine power failure while driving in traffic. Unable to engage powertrain. Vehicle would not enter drive mode. Vehicle completely disabled. Was stranded on side of the road in unsafe location There are several other reports on various message boards (Reddit, etc) of similar issues with Sondors Metacycles. There was no warning prior to this happening. sudden engine shutdown/failure.
Motorcycle begins to vibrate, shake, and wobble when speeds reach between 40-60 mph. This is available for inspection upon request. Safety of the rider and other drivers nearby are put at risk when the vibration begins to affect the control of the vehicle. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. The problem first appeared when the motorcycle was delivered by the manufacturer back in December 2022.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Motorcycle goes from Drive mode to Park mode and then doesn’t go back into drive mode. This happens while riding. Tried calling the sondors hotline but the company is bankrupt. Checked online and it seems multiple customers have this problem. This is highly unsafe.
Complete engine power failure while driving in traffic. Unable to engage powertrain. Vehicle would not enter drive mode. Vehicle completely disabled. Was stranded on side of the road in unsafe location There are several other reports on various message boards (Reddit, etc) of similar issues with Sondors Metacycles. There was no warning prior to this happening. sudden engine shutdown/failure.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear brake is in a non-standard location on the handlebar. When stopping the brake was actuated instead of a clutch and the rider fell over.
The Sondors Metacycle is a motorcycle with non standard controls. Specifically it has two hand brakes like a step through scooter, instead of a foot brake. I do not own one but on a recent test ride I crashed the bike when I went to pull the clutch at a stop, and accidentally locked the rear wheel. This is dangerous and will lead to more accidents as the bike is targeting new riders who will learn bad habits. The bike should have a foot brake per FMVSS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Motorcycle begins to vibrate, shake, and wobble when speeds reach between 40-60 mph. This is available for inspection upon request. Safety of the rider and other drivers nearby are put at risk when the vibration begins to affect the control of the vehicle. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. The problem first appeared when the motorcycle was delivered by the manufacturer back in December 2022.
Sondors sent a letter stating a protective sleeve is needed around the vehicles main high voltage cable (electric motorcycle). This is both an extreme electrocution hazard but also a fire hazard. The company made no effort to correct the defect directly. Additionally, the wheels/tires are extremely unbalanced and dangerous to ride as delivered by the company. They initially acknowledged the issue, but claim the wheels cannot be balanced. Additional requests to the company to provide service have been ignored for several months now.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .