Recall 12V230 affects 627 2008 Zap Xebra motorcycles that take longer to stop. Repair is free at any franchised Zap dealer.
Zap is recalling 627 2008 Xebra all-electric motorcycles because they do not meet federal motorcycle brake-system stopping-distance requirements. The defect makes these vehicles take longer to stop and increases crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic brake system on the 2008 Zap Xebra uses brake fluid to transfer force from the rider's controls to the brake hardware at the wheels. When the system is working correctly, that pressure lets the brakes slow the motorcycle within the stopping distance required for motorcycle brake systems.
On affected Xebra motorcycles, the braking system does not meet the federal braking distance requirement for motorcycle brake systems. That means the brakes do not stop the vehicle within the required distance under the standard. The filing does not identify a separate broken part or supplier cause, so the practical issue for an owner is stopping performance, not a named component failure.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall record does not list a noise, warning light, pedal change, or other symptom that tells an owner the Xebra is outside the required braking distance.
Who's affected?
| 2008 Zap Xebra | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 627 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced braking performance means the Xebra needs more distance to stop, which increases crash risk. Leave extra room, slow down early, and schedule the recall repair before routine driving. Repair will be free at any franchised Zap dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008 Zap Xebra is included in this recall.
- Check your mail for Zap's recall notice before scheduling service.
- Contact your nearest franchised Zap dealer to schedule the free brake repair that addresses the longer stopping distance.
- Reference recall number 12V230 when you call the dealer.
- Ride cautiously until the brake repair is complete; leave extra stopping distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Zap technician repairs the Xebra's motorcycle brake system so the vehicle meets the required braking distance standard. The recall filing does not name a specific replacement part, so ask the service desk what brake work your VIN needs before the appointment. Parts and labor are covered by the recall. The filing says owner notification began on October 8, 2012, and Zap dealers repair the vehicles free of charge.
Timeline
| May 21, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 24, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V230?
Recall 12V230 covers 627 2008 Zap Xebra all-electric motorcycles that do not meet federal motorcycle braking-distance requirements. The affected vehicles take longer distances to stop, which increases crash risk. Zap dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge.
What should I do if my 2008 Zap Xebra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 12V230. If it is, contact a franchised Zap dealer to schedule the brake repair. Reference recall number 12V230 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says Zap dealers will repair affected 2008 Xebra motorcycles free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is longer stopping distance. The recall says affected 2008 Zap Xebra motorcycles fail to meet federal motorcycle brake-system requirements, which increases crash risk. Until the repair is complete, leave extra following distance and brake earlier than usual.
What if I bought my Zap Xebra used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the motorcycle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2008 Zap Xebra is included, then reference recall 12V230 when you contact a Zap dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V230000 |
|---|---|
| Zap customer service | 1-707-525-8658 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V230 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V230000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →