Does the 2012 Zero DS have any recalls?

6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: hybrid propulsion system, electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic, equipment, exterior lighting. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 2012 Zero DS recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Zero dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Zero DS?

0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

2012 Zero DS recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2012 Zero DS. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

One of these recalls carries a manufacturer safety advisory to stop driving or to park outside until repaired. See below.

Has your Zero been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Zero dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2012 Zero DS recalls, newest first

April 4, 2018NHTSA 18V215000218 vehicles potentially affected

Hybrid propulsion system

Do not drive until repaired

Summary: Zero Motorcycles (Zero) is recalling all 2012 Zero S, Zero DS, and Zero DSP (Police) motorcycles. Cell pouches in the battery packs may wear from contact with the holders, allowing humidity to enter the pouch and cause an electrical short within the battery.
Consequence: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Zero Motorcycles will notify owners and offer them a choice of either the repurchase of their motorcycle or a financial trade-assist towards a newer model year Zero Motorcycles motorcycle. The recall began on April 30, 2018. Owners may contact Zero customer service at 1-888-841-8085. Zero's number for this recall is SV-ZMC-018-383. Note: Since owners are advised to no longer ride or charge the affected motorcycles, Zero Motorcycles dealers will arrange for the collection of the affected motorcycle at no charge to the owners.
Components: Hybrid propulsion system; Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 18, 2013NHTSA 13V635000667 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Software

Summary: Zero Motorcycles Inc. (Zero) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 XU, S, DS, and model year 2013 FX motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have controller firmware that, as a result of certain system faults, may shut off power to the motor.
Consequence: A sudden loss of power to the motor may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Zero will notify owners, and dealers will update the controller firmware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2014. Owners may contact Zero at 1-888-786-9376.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 30, 2013NHTSA 13V329000268 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper

Summary: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 17, 2012NHTSA 12V455000315 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment › Electrical

Summary: Zero Motorcycles, Inc. (Zero Motorcycles) is recalling certain model year 2012 S and DS motorcycles. These motorcycles are equipped with a motor encoder position signal that may drift over the extended use of the motorcycle. If the signal drifts outside of the given parameters, the motor controller may shut off, resulting in the motorcycle inadvertently losing power.
Consequence: A loss of power could lead to a crash and potential injury or death of the rider.
Remedy: Zero Motorcycles will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the motorcycle's motor controller free of charge. The safety recall began on September 28, 2012. Owners may contact Zero Motorcycles, Inc. at 1-888-786-9376.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 2, 2012NHTSA 12V310000254 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery

Summary: Zero motorcycles, Inc. (zero) is recalling certain model year 2012 s, ds, x, xu, and xu-lsm motorcycles. Insufficient weatherproofing may cause a short circuit of the battery management system when subjected to wet conditions, resulting in the motorcycle inadvertently losing power.
Consequence: Sudden loss of power can lead to a crash and potential injury or death to the rider.
Remedy: Zero will notify owners, and dealers will repair the motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall began on July 31, 2012. Owners may contact zero motorcycles, Inc. At 1-888-786-9376.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 29, 2012NHTSA 12V307000450 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

Summary: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

No owner complaints about the 2012 Zero DS were found in NHTSA’s complaint data.

Other Zero DS years

2012 (6)

Other 2012 Zero models

Most recalled 2012 vehicles

2012 Blue Bird All American (30 recalls)
2012 Spartan Gladiator (24 recalls)
2012 IC Bus CE (22 recalls)
2012 Freightliner Cascadia (19 recalls)
2012 Blue Bird Vision (19 recalls)

All of 2012’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2012 Zero DS have any recalls?: 6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: hybrid propulsion system, electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic, equipment, exterior lighting. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2012 Zero DS recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Zero dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Zero DS?: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.