Zero DS problems & complaints
What Zero DS owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Zero DS safety recalls or check your VIN.
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Service bulletins (TSBs)
- 8+
- Crashes / fires reported
- 1 / 0
- Defect investigations
- 0
Complaints by model year
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most reported problems
The vehicle systems named most often in Zero DS complaints (one complaint can name several).
Latest owner complaints
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The contact called on behalf of a client who owns a 2024 Apollo Street Bike. The contact stated that while his client was sitting on the motorcycle with a hand on the throttle, he pressed the button for Rocket Mode simultaneously with the blue button on the brake lever on the handlebar. The contact stated that there was a defect that was not disclosed in the Ownerâs Manual if the blue button on the mode and the brake lever on the handlebar were pressed simultaneously, the engine would not disengage. The engine engaged and the motorcycle took off and crashed into the wall. The motorcycle was moving at an undisclosed speed. The contact also stated that there was no kill switch on the motor…
POSSIBLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V610000. ELECTRICAL PPWER CUT OFF. IT SHUT OFF LIGHTS, PANEL INSTRUMENT, MOTOR.
BOUGHT USED 2013 ZERO DS. BIKE WOULD EMIT NOISE WHILE COMING TO A STOP THAT SOUNDED LIKE RUBBING METAL BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE SOURCE. NOW I'M PRETTY SURE IT WAS THE FORKS. WAS ADJUSTING SUSPENSION AND DISCOVERED FORK OIL LEAKING OUT OF LEFT FORK AT THE BOTTOM AFTER SHORT RIDE. FORTUNATELY, ABLE TO CLEAN UP OIL BEFORE IT GOT ON FRONT ROTOR. LEAKED A TEASPOON AMOUNT IN A SHORT TIME. DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH WEB SEARCH, THAT COULD LEAD TO FORK BECOMING LOOSE (SEE YOUTUBE VIDEO IN FIRST LINK). HTTP://ELECTRICMOTORCYCLEFORUM.COM/BOARDS/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=3790.0 HTTP://ELECTRICMOTORCYCLEFORUM.COM/BOARDS/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=6487.0 HTTP://ELECTRICMOTORCYCLEFORUM.COM/BOARDS/INDEX…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ZERO DSZF6. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, AND THE MOTORCYCLE RESTARTED. A FLASHING QUESTION MARK DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BIKE HAD A SOFTWARE UPDATE PERFORMED IN 2014 BY AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN FLORIDA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 917.
A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE BIKE, I HAD NOTICED A THAT IT WOULD RUN A LITTLE ROUGH FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM WOULD AUTO CORRECT AFTER THE NEXT RIDE SO I DIDN'T GET TOO CONCERNED ABOUT IT. HOWEVER AFTER DAYS WOULD GO I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE SYSTEM WOULD KICK BACK TO NORMAL AFTER PHYSICALLY TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTARTING AFTER A FEW MINUTES . NO WARNING AS TO WHEN THIS WOULD OCCUR. UP HILL, DOWN HILL, AT THE START OF MY RIDE OR AT THE END OF IT. FAST OR SLOW. IT DID NOT MATTER. I TOOK IN TO THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED TO DO A SOFTWARE ADJUSTMENT. IT RAN NICELY FOR A WHILE BUT THE SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK. I W…
Technical service bulletins (TSBs)
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
- ZMDN082026-02
Service Bulletin and Recall Cases Zero Motorcycles can now create Service Bulletin and Recall cases centrally and in larger volumes. Where applicable, the required parts will be added directly to the case, making it easier for dealers to process and complete the campaign. Please continue to regularly review your open Service Bulletin and Recall cases and complete the required work within the specified timeframe.
- ZMDN082026-01
We would like to inform you that a new firmware release for the 2020+ Cypher III platform will soon be available. 2020+ SR/F & SR/S + 2022â25 SR + 2023+ DSR/X + 2024+ S, DS & DSR Firmware Versions MBB V46, BMU V22, BMS V28 New Features & Improvements â¢The Battery State of Health (SOH) for each battery module will now be accessible through dealer diagnostic tools. â¢Resolved issue where motorcycles equipped with a Power Tank could, under certain conditions riding only on the Power Tank before the main traction battery pack had been detected. This could result in reduced range and potent
- Cypher III OTA Firmware
CYPHER III OTA FIRMWARE RELEASE Coming Soon The latest firmware release (MBB V45, BMU V21, BMS V27) for 2020+ Cypher III motorcycles will be available Over The Air to customers on June 17. This release includes: Bug fixes Security improvements General system stability enhancements While customers may simply see an update notification, dealers should be aware that this release marks an important transition toward the Tuner diagnostic tool. For motorcycles running the latest Cypher III firmware, Tuner will become the primary tool for many service and maintenance functions moving forward. If yo
- ZMDN-052026
New diagnostic tool Tuner is available for 2017 and newer model.s On May 15th, a new firmware will be released for our FST / Cypher III models, primarily focused on improving cybersecurity.
- ZMDN-022026
Dealer notification announcing new firmware for certain models of Zero Motorcycles.
- Dealer News 102925
Dealer notification of release of new firmware for specific motorcycles.
- Dealer News 09-16-25
Dealer notification for recall of the FST ADV ignition switch firmware update.
- Dealer notification
Notification sent to Zero Motorcycle's dealers informing them of the Brake Line Recall.
- Chain Kit Recall
Dealer notification of Chain Kit Recall (23E074).
- Dealer News
Zero Motorcycles Dealer News 11.22.22 - New Firmware, Diag4Zero, Holiday Hours
- ZMDN 83022
Cypher II Firmware Update Notice
- CypherIIFirmware
A firmware update will be released tomorrow June 29 at 7am PT for MY17-MY23 Zero Motorcycles that operate on the Cypher II platform.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
Questions
What are the most common Zero DS problems?
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2012–2026, owners most often name: electrical system, engine, suspension. 5 complaints are on record.
Is a complaint or a TSB the same as a recall?
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
How do I report a problem with my Zero DS?
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.