2010 Zero S: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2010 Zero S
Only 2 defect reports have been filed with NHTSA about the 2010 Zero S, which is too few to compute mileage percentiles or a risk score. The reports reported other engine problem.
When each failure gets reported
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other engine problem | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 200 | — | 25.0 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 200 | — | 25.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other engine problem
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…
Other speed control problem
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…
Recalls on the 2010 model year
NHTSA has issued 1 recall campaign covering the 2010 Zero S, affecting an estimated 40 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
160 vehicles 2011-05-16- 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…
- Consequence
- 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.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
Every year of the Zero S
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
What the reports on file say
The complaints recorded against the 2010 Zero S are other engine problem (1 report, around 200 miles) and other speed control problem (1 report, around 200 miles). With a sample this size these are anecdotes rather than a pattern, and they are shown because somebody looking at this exact car would rather see them than nothing.
Why this page is short
A model year needs about 8 reports before percentiles mean anything, and this one does not have them. Complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road, so a thin page usually means a rare car, a new car, or a car whose owners do not file.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed