Zero S problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
190 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 50.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Retro Reflector | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Retro Reflector: 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 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 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 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2014: 3; 2016: 1; 2022: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10639410 · 2014-09-26 (September 26, 2014)
I 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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10639410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10861302 · 2016-04-25 (April 25, 2016)
I 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 190 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628246 · 2014-08-25 (August 25, 2014)
TWO COMPONENTS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE, THE DRIVE MOTOR AND THE THROTTLE CONTROL ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. BOTH HAVE FAILED TWICE ON MY MOTORCYCLE, THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 1800 MILES ON IT TODAY. MOTOR FAILURES WERE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD AND CAUSED AN INSTANT AND IRRECOVERABLE LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY, IN BOTH CASES IT WAS IN A 30 OR 35 MPH SPEED ZONE WITHOUT MUCH TRAFFIC, SO I COULD SAFELY RETIRE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WITH MORE TRAFFIC, THIS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS EASY TO ACCOMPLISH. AFTER THE FIRS…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11749956 · 2026-07-13 (July 13, 2026)
The 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…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11749956 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2026 | 0 |
2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 0; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2021: 1; 2026: 0