Model year record

2012 ZERO Zero DS

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V215000

Hybrid propulsion system

Component
Hybrid propulsion system
Manufacturer
Zero Motorcycles Inc.
Vehicles affected
218
Reported to NHTSA
2018-04-04
Owners notified
2018-04-30

Defect description

Zero Motorcycles (Zero) is recalling all 2012 Zero S, Zero DS, and Zero DSP (Police) motorcycles. Cell pouches in the battery packs may wear from contact with the holders, allowing humidity to enter the pouch and cause an electrical short within the battery.

Safety risk

An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Zero Motorcycles will notify owners and offer them a choice of either the repurchase of their motorcycle or a financial trade-assist towards a newer model year Zero Motorcycles motorcycle. The recall began on April 30, 2018. Owners may contact Zero customer service at 1-888-841-8085. Zero's number for this recall is SV-ZMC-018-383. Note: Since owners are advised to no longer ride or charge the affected motorcycles, Zero Motorcycles dealers will arrange for the collection of the affected motorcycle at no charge to the owners.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V635000

Electrical system: software

Component
Electrical system: software
Manufacturer
Zero Motorcycles Inc.
Vehicles affected
667
Reported to NHTSA
2013-12-18
Owners notified
2014-01-14

Defect description

Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 XU, S, DS, and model year 2013 FX motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have controller firmware that, as a result of certain system faults, may shut off power to the motor.

Safety risk

A sudden loss of power to the motor may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Zero will notify owners, and dealers will update the controller firmware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2014. Owners may contact Zero at 1-888-786-9376.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V329000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
Manufacturer
Zero Motorcycles Inc.
Vehicles affected
268
Reported to NHTSA
2013-07-30
Owners notified
2013-08-16

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V455000

Equipment: electrical

Component
Equipment: electrical
Manufacturer
ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.
Vehicles affected
315
Reported to NHTSA
2012-09-17
Owners notified
2012-09-28

Defect description

Zero Motorcycles, Inc. (Zero Motorcycles) is recalling certain model year 2012 S and DS motorcycles. These motorcycles are equipped with a motor encoder position signal that may drift over the extended use of the motorcycle. If the signal drifts outside of the given parameters, the motor controller may shut off, resulting in the motorcycle inadvertently losing power.

Safety risk

A loss of power could lead to a crash and potential injury or death of the rider.

Manufacturer remedy

Zero Motorcycles will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the motorcycle's motor controller free of charge. The safety recall began on September 28, 2012. Owners may contact Zero Motorcycles, Inc. at 1-888-786-9376.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V310000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
Manufacturer
ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.
Vehicles affected
254
Reported to NHTSA
2012-07-02
Owners notified
2012-07-31

Defect description

ZERO MOTORCYCLES, INC. (ZERO) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S, DS, X, XU, AND XU-LSM MOTORCYCLES. INSUFFICIENT WEATHERPROOFING MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHEN SUBJECTED TO WET CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN THE MOTORCYCLE INADVERTENTLY LOSING POWER.

Safety risk

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAN LEAD TO A CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Manufacturer remedy

ZERO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZERO MOTORCYCLES, INC. AT 1-888-786-9376.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V307000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.
Vehicles affected
450
Reported to NHTSA
2012-06-29
Owners notified
2012-08-03

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints recorded for this model year.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.