2010 Zero S

Defect. ZERO MOTORCYCLES IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 ZERO S MOTORCYCLES BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 22, 2009; MODEL YEAR 2009 ZERO DS MOTORCYCLES BUILT FROM JULY 27, 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 28, 2009; MODEL YEAR 2010 ZERO S MOTORCYCLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2010 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2011; AND MODEL YEAR 2010 ZERO DS MOTORCYCLES BUILT FROM JANUARY 20, 2010 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2011. THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BRACKET MAY EXPERIENCE PERMANENT DEFORMATION WHEN SUBJECTED TO HIGH BRAKING LOADS. THIS CONDITION COULD INDUCE MISALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WITH RESPECT TO THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR.

Risk. MISALIGNMENT OF THE BRAKE PADS IN RELATION TO THE ROTOR MAY CAUSE REDUCED FRONT BRAKING PERFORMANCE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH OF THE RIDER.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BRACKET WITH A RE-DESIGNED COMPONENT, AND REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS IN CASE THE EXISTING PADS EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL WEAR. THE FRONT BRAKE FLUID WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED AND, IF SIGNS OF OVERHEATING ARE NOTED, IT WILL BE REPLACED AND THE SYSTEM WILL BE FLUSHED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZERO MOTORCYCLES AT 1-888-786-9376 EXT 45.

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 FIRST INCIDENT, THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE MOTOR, SAYING THAT THE BRUSHES HAD FAILED. THEY TOLD ME THAT UPGRADED MOTOR BRUSHES HAD BEEN PUT INTO THE REBUILT MOTOR. THESE NEW BRUSHES LASTED PERHAPS ANOTHER 1000 MILES OF TRAVEL BEFORE THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE OCCURRED. THROTTLE CONTROL, IN BOTH CASES, SEEM TO HAVE FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT REST, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE POTENTIAL IS FOR THIS TO OCCUR WHILE IN MOTION. THE THROTTLE CONTROLS, UPON TURNING ON THE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE, DID NOT RESPOND TO INPUT, I.E. THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE FIRST TIME, THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CONTROL. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS YESTERDAY, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL BE RESOLVED. THIS LAST OCCURRENCE IS WHAT FINALLY PROMPTED ME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT ABOUT THE REAL RISK OF SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. *TR