Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2011 Zero S peaked in 2014, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2011 Zero S
Motorcycle, electric, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Nov 21, 2014 to Nov 21, 2014.
Recall campaigns covering this model year2718 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints1Below the median 2011 motorcycle
Severity index0.02011 motorcycles average 10.3
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
100% of complaints about the 2011 Zero S name electrical system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
2 recall campaigns cover the 2011 Zero S
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13V-329 | Jul 30, 2013 | On the affected motorcycles, the front caliper mounting bolts are susceptible to corrosion which could lead to their cracking and possible fracture | Brakes | 268 | Part replacement |
| 12V-307 | Jun 29, 2012 | Brake light switch at the front brake lever may not activate until significant brake lever travel occurs | Lighting | 450 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2011 Zero S
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
1 complaint on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Nov 21, 2014Failure Jan 28, 2013LOS Angeles, CAElectrical system, Engine, Vehicle speed control
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 complaint 10660014
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
No manufacturer communications on file
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.