RoadVitals

2011 Zero S

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Nov 21, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 30, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2011 Zero S, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Engine133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13V329000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Jul 30, 2013
268 units potentially affected
The defect: Zero Motorcycles is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 S and DS motorcycles. On the affected motorcycles, the front caliper mounting bolts are susceptible to corrosion which could lead to their cracking and possible fracture.
The risk: If a front caliper bolt fractures, the caliper may come loose and interfere with the rotation of the front wheel. This could cause the front wheel to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Zero Motorcycles will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front caliper bolts. The recall BEGAN ON August 16, 2013. Owners may contact Zero Motorcycles at 1-888-841-8085.
Zero Motorcycles Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
12V307000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Jun 29, 2012
450 units potentially affected
The defect: ZERO MOTORCYCLES, INC. (ZERO) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 S, XU, AND DS MOTORCYCLES, MODEL YEAR 2011 MXD, AND XD MOTORCYCLES AND 2012 X MOTORCYCLES. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER MAY NOT ACTIVATE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT BRAKE LEVER TRAVEL OCCURS.
The risk: THE BRAKE LIGHT MAY NOT ACTIVATE WHEN A MODERATE AMOUNT OF FRONT BRAKE IS APPLIED. AS SUCH, MOTORISTS TRAVELING BEHIND THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT BE ALERTED WHEN AN AFFECTED MOTORCYCLE IS SLOWING DOWN, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
The remedy: ZERO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM BRAKE-LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 3, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZERO MOTORCYCLES AT 1-831-438-3500.
ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 21, 2014

THIS MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS RIDING IT ON 1.28.14 - IT WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AND MECHANIC & SHOP OWNER COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET BIKE RUNNING AND I PICKED IT UP. BIKE DIED AGAIN - SAME THING - SHUT OFF WHILE RIDING ON 3.25.14. THIS TIME BIKE WAS TAKEN TO SHOP AND THEY AGAIN SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING OR HOW TO FIX IT. AT THIS POINT I WANTED THEM TO BUY THE BIKE BACK FROM ME AS IT WAS DANGEROUS TO RIDE IF IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN WHILE I WAS RIDING IT. THE SHOP OWNER PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH ZERO - THE MANUFACTURER TO DISCUSS THIS POSSIBILITY. ZERO REFUSED TO TAKE MOTORCYCLE OFF ROAD AND CLAIMED THEY HAD NEVER HAD A COMPLAINT OF MOTORCYCLE POWERING DOWN WHILE RIDING. IT TURNS OUT THEY WEREN'T BEING HONEST -THE SAME MODEL OF MY MOTORCYCLE, YEAR 2012 MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WHILE MY MODEL YEAR 2011 HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THE MECHANIC AT MY DEALER TOLD ME THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD SAME COMPLAINT, ZERO WAS LYING AND THE ONLY GOOD PLACE FOR MY MOTO WAS THE GARBAGE. THEY TRIED TO FIX MY BIKE BUT IT STILL POWERS DOWN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 9 MILES AND LEAVES ME STRANDED (AVG ON THIS BIKE IS LISTED AT 43 MILES BEFORE NEEDING RECHARGE). THIS BIKE AND THE OTHER 2011 MODEL S NEED TO BE RECALLED COMPLETELY SINCE ZERO CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM ALL 2011 S MODEL RIDERS ARE ALL AT RISK. PLEASE REFERENCE THE RECALL OF 2012 MOTORCYCLE HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/UCM427143/RCAK-12V455-9849.PDF THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10660014
Incident
Jan 28, 2013

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Zero S by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100—
2025000—
2024000—
2023000—
2021010—
2020000—
2019000—
2018110—
2017020—
2016000—
2015010—
2014010—
2013110—
2012100—
2011Viewing120—
2010110—
2009010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.