Recall 12V310 covers 254 2012 Zero motorcycles for battery-management short circuits in wet conditions. Repair is free at any franchised Zero dealer.
Zero is recalling 254 2012 Zero Xu, X, Xu-Lsm, Zero S, and Zero Ds motorcycles because insufficient weatherproofing can short-circuit the battery management system in wet conditions and make the motorcycle lose power. Sudden power loss can lead to a crash, injury, or death to the rider, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The battery management system on the 2012 Zero Xu, X, Xu-Lsm, Zero S, and Zero Ds motorcycles watches the battery pack and helps control how power is delivered. It protects the battery cells during charging and riding, so the motorcycle depends on that system staying dry and powered.
On affected motorcycles, the battery management system does not have enough weatherproofing. In wet conditions, moisture can reach the electrical components and create a short circuit, which is an electrical fault where current takes the wrong path. When that happens, the motorcycle can lose power without the rider choosing to shut it off.
There is no warning sign before failure. A rider will not get a clear symptom that the battery management system is about to short in wet conditions.
Who's affected?
Covers five 2012 Zero motorcycle models, all tied to the same battery component.
| 2012 Zero Zero Xu | battery |
|---|---|
| 2012 Zero X | battery |
| 2012 Zero Xu-Lsm | battery |
| 2012 Zero Zero S | battery |
| 2012 Zero Zero Ds | battery |
| Units affected | 254 |
A matching 2012 Zero model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A sudden loss of power can lead to a crash and injury or death to the rider. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and ride cautiously until the motorcycle is repaired. Repair will be free at any franchised Zero dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Zero Zero Xu, X, Xu-Lsm, Zero S, or Zero Ds is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Zero dealer to schedule the free battery-management-system weatherproofing repair that addresses wet-condition short circuits and sudden power loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Zero sent one. If not, reference recall number 12V310 when you call.
- Avoid riding in wet conditions until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
The source remedy says Zero notified owners and dealers repair the motorcycles free of charge. Because the current remedy status is not listed in this input, treat scheduling as a dealer confirmation step: ask the Zero service desk whether campaign 12V310 is open for your VIN and whether the repair can be performed now. The dealer repair is free once available. At the dealer, a Zero technician repairs the weatherproofing concern tied to the battery management system, so wet conditions do not short circuit the system and cause power loss.
Timeline
| July 2, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V310?
Recall 12V310 covers 254 2012 Zero Zero Xu, X, Xu-Lsm, Zero S, and Zero Ds motorcycles with insufficient weatherproofing in the battery management system. Wet conditions can cause a short circuit and sudden power loss. Zero dealers will repair the motorcycles free of charge.
What should I do if my 2012 Zero Zero Xu, X, Xu-Lsm, Zero S, or Zero Ds is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 12V310. If it is, contact a franchised Zero dealer to schedule the battery management system repair. Reference recall number 12V310 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Zero's recall remedy says dealers will repair the motorcycles free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost, so parts and labor are covered at a franchised Zero dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is sudden loss of power while riding. The short circuit can happen when the battery management system is exposed to wet conditions, which can lead to a crash and injury or death to the rider. The dealer repair addresses the weatherproofing problem for free.
When did Zero start this recall repair?
Zero began the safety recall repair on July 31, 2012. If your motorcycle was never repaired, check your VIN and call a franchised Zero dealer with recall number 12V310. You can also contact Zero at 1-888-786-9376 for recall support.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V310000 |
|---|---|
| Zero customer service | 1-888-786-9376 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V310 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V310000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →