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NHTSA Safety Recalls

2012 Zero Zero S Recalls

The 2012 Zero Zero S has 6 NHTSA safety recalls on file. Recall repairs are always free, whatever the motorcycle's age or mileage.

A recall covers a range of VINs, not every Zero Zero S built. Check your own 17-character VIN before assuming yours is affected.

Recalls
6

NHTSA campaigns

Owner complaints
1

filed with NHTSA

Crashes reported
1

in complaints

NHTSA crash test
Not rated

6 recalls on the 2012 Zero Zero S

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

NHTSA 13V635000
The defect
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.
The risk
A sudden loss of power to the motor may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

NHTSA 12V455000
The defect
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.
The risk
A loss of power could lead to a crash and potential injury or death of the rider.
The fix
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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

NHTSA 12V307000
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 fix
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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

NHTSA 13V329000
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 fix
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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

NHTSA 18V215000
The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
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.

Reported April 4, 2018 by Zero Motorcycles Inc.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

NHTSA 12V310000
The defect
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.
The risk
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAN LEAD TO A CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
The fix
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.

Reported February 7, 2012 by ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC.

What owners report about the 2012 Zero Zero S

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2012 Zero Zero S with NHTSA, 1 of them describing a crash.

Most complained about

  • Wheels1

Complaints are owner reports, not verified defects, and a popular model collects more of them than a rare one. They show what to ask about, not what is certain to fail.

Checking your own motorcycle

A recall applies to a range of VINs, not to every 2012 Zero Zero S built. To confirm whether yours is affected, find the 17-character VIN, stamped on the steering head, just behind the headlight, and on the frame label, and enter it in NHTSA's official lookup.

Repairs for safety recalls are free and never expire. A dealer cannot charge you, and cannot refuse on the grounds that the motorcycle is old or out of warranty. If one does, call the NHTSA hotline on 1-888-327-4236.

Other 2012 Zero models