Zero Recalls 450 Electric Motorcycles

Due to a malfunction with their brake-light switch Zero Motorcycles has been forced to recall some model 2011-20012 electric motorcycles. According to Zero, the break-light switch can fail to activate and thus not alert motorists behind the bike when the driver attempts to stop or slow down.

Original press release by Zero Motorcycles on July 6, 2012

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):      ZERO / ZERO DS 2011-2012      ZERO / ZERO MXD 2011      ZERO / ZERO S 2011-2012      ZERO / ZERO X 2012      ZERO / ZERO XD 2011      ZERO / ZERO XU 2011-2012 Manufacturer: ZERO MOTORCYCLES INC. Mfr’s Report Date: JUN 29, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V307000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Potential Number of Units Affected: 450

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 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON, OR ABOUT, JULY 16, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZERO MOTORCYCLES AT 1-831-438-3500.

Notes:  CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

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