2011 Zero S: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10660014 · 2014-11-21 (November 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10660014 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V307000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2012-06-29 (June 29, 2012)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V329000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 2013-07-30 (July 30, 2013)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2021 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11469631DC to DC converter failed with less than 1200 miles on motorcycle, disabling brake lights, headlight, horn, turn signals and hazards lights. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes | 1100.0%ODI 10639410I WAS INVITED BY THE ZERO MOTORCYCLE FACTORY TO TEST RIDE THEIR ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE AT A LOCAL DEALER. AFTER A MILE OR TWO, THE FIRST HARD BRAKING CAUSED A WHEEL LOCKUP WITH AN IMMEDIATE CRASH. I WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED 3 TIMES FOR THOSE INJURIES AND FOR COMPLICATIONS AND SURGERY. I LATER DISCOVERED THAT BIKES OF THE SAME TYPE AS THE ONE I WAS RIDING, THE 2012 ZERO MODEL S, HAD BEEN THE SUBJECT OF TWO FACTORY RECALLS FOR FRONT BRAKE PROBLEMS, ONE OF WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE WHEEL LOCKING UP AND CAUSING A C… | 1100.0%ODI 10861302 · 190 miI WAS BREAKING SIGNIFICANTLY (USING THE MAXIMUM SETTING FOR THE REGENERATIVE BREAKING FEATURE) AND THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THIS IS NOT A FAULT, MERELY A DESIGN FLAW OR OVERSIGHT. TO MY KNOWLEDGE IT AFFECTS ALL OF ZERO'S MODELS FOR EVERY YEAR. I WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10861302 · 190 miI WAS BREAKING SIGNIFICANTLY (USING THE MAXIMUM SETTING FOR THE REGENERATIVE BREAKING FEATURE) AND THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. THIS IS NOT A FAULT, MERELY A DESIGN FLAW OR OVERSIGHT. TO MY KNOWLEDGE IT AFFECTS ALL OF ZERO'S MODELS FOR EVERY YEAR. I WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting:Retro Reflector | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 11749956 · 10 miThe contact owns a 2026 Z Electric Motorcycle T3V3 Trike. The contact stated that after receiving the motorcycle, it was discovered that the ammo box top failed to remain closed while operating the motorcycle. Additionally, the contact discovered several electrical failures with the motorcycle. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable, and the battery charge was incorrect. While riding the motorcycle, the motorcycle bucked and vibrated violently, and the right-side reflector dislodged from the motorcycle. During the failure, the cont… |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2018: 0 complaints · 2021: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Electrical System | Engine | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 1ODI 10660014THIS 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 … | 1ODI 10660014THIS 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 … |
| Engine | 1ODI 10660014THIS 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 … | — | 1ODI 10660014THIS 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 … |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1ODI 10660014THIS 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 … | 1ODI 10660014THIS 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 … | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.