Recall 11V282 affects 160 2009-2010 Zero S and Ds motorcycles for front brake caliper bracket deformation. Repair is free at any franchised Zero dealer.
Zero is recalling 160 2009-2010 S and Ds motorcycles because the front brake caliper bracket can deform under heavy braking and misalign the front brake pads with the rotor. Reduced front braking performance raises crash risk and injury or death risk for the rider; a Zero dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front brake caliper bracket on the 2009-2010 Zero S and Ds motorcycles holds the front brake caliper in the correct position over the brake rotor. When the rider squeezes the brake lever, the caliper presses the brake pads against the rotor. The bracket keeps that contact square, so the pads meet the rotor face evenly.
On affected motorcycles, the front brake caliper bracket can permanently deform when it is exposed to high braking loads. Once the bracket bends, the caliper no longer holds the pads in the intended position. That misalignment changes how the brake pads contact the rotor, which interferes with normal front brake operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall filing does not identify a rider symptom, light, or sound that appears before the bracket deforms.
Who's affected?
Spans the S and Ds across the 2009 and 2010 model years, all tied to the hydraulic brake system.
| 2009 Zero S | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2010 Zero Ds | hydraulic brake system |
| 2010 Zero S | hydraulic brake system |
| 2009 Zero Ds | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 160 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Misaligned front brake pads can reduce front braking performance. This increases crash risk and creates the risk of injury or death for the rider. No warning sign is listed for this recall, so treat weak or uneven front braking as a reason to stop riding and contact a Zero dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Zero dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Zero S or Ds motorcycle is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Zero dealer and ask whether the free brake repair is open for recall number 11V282.
- Ask the dealer about the redesigned front brake caliper bracket, front brake pads if worn, and brake-fluid inspection that corrects the pad-to-rotor misalignment.
- Bring the recall notice if Zero mailed one. The owner notice date listed for this recall was May 31, 2011.
- Ride cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking when traffic allows.
What happens at the repair
The source remedy says the safety recall began on May 31, 2011. At the dealer, a Zero technician replaces the front brake caliper bracket with a redesigned part. The technician also replaces the front brake pads if the existing pads show abnormal wear. Front brake fluid is inspected for signs of overheating. If overheating is found, the fluid is replaced and the brake system is flushed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| May 16, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 31, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V282?
Recall 11V282 covers 160 2009-2010 Zero S and Ds motorcycles with a front brake caliper bracket that can deform under high braking loads. That deformation can misalign the front brake pads with the rotor. Zero dealers replace the bracket for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Zero S or Ds is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 11V282. If it is, contact a franchised Zero dealer to schedule the front brake caliper bracket replacement. Reference recall number 11V282 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair to be performed at no cost, and Zero's remedy says dealers replace the front brake caliper bracket for free. The dealer also replaces abnormally worn front brake pads and services overheated brake fluid when needed.
What is the safety risk on recall 11V282?
The safety risk is reduced front braking performance. NHTSA campaign 11V282 says brake pad misalignment in relation to the rotor can increase crash risk and create injury or death risk for the rider. The dealer repair is free.
When did the Zero recall repair begin?
Zero began the safety recall repair on May 31, 2011. Owners with an included VIN can contact a franchised Zero dealer and reference recall number 11V282 to schedule the front brake caliper bracket replacement and related brake inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V282000 |
|---|---|
| Zero customer service | 1-888-786-9376 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V282 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V282000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →