Recall 21V242 affects 252 2019-2021 Arcimoto Roadster, Fuv, Deliverator, and Rapid Responder motorcycles for battery-shutdown firmware. Repair is free at any franchised Arcimoto dealer.
Arcimoto is recalling 252 2019-2021 Fuv, Deliverator, Roadster, and Rapid Responder motorcycles because inverter firmware can let the battery shut down without warning. Opening the main contactor can cause loss of motive power and increase crash risk, and Arcimoto dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2019-2021 Arcimoto Fuv, Deliverator, Roadster, and Rapid Responder use software to manage power between the battery pack, inverter, and drive system. The inverter is the power-control unit that sends battery power to the motor. The battery management system watches current levels and opens the main contactor, a high-voltage switch, to protect the pack when current goes outside its limits.
In affected motorcycles, the inverter firmware does not respect the battery management system's current charge limits in certain driving situations. Arcimoto identified the issue around kinetic energy recovery, the regenerative braking system that feeds energy back into the battery, especially when it overlaps with throttle input. Repeated overcurrent events can make the battery management system open the contactor and shut the battery down, which cuts motive power.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle can shut down without warning, so an owner will not have a dashboard clue or driveability change before power is lost.
Who's affected?
Spans Roadster, Fuv, Deliverator, and Rapid Responder models across 2019-2021, all tied to the same high-voltage traction battery software.
| 2021 Arcimoto Roadster | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2019 Arcimoto Fuv | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2020 Arcimoto Fuv | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2020 Arcimoto Deliverator | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2021 Arcimoto Fuv | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2021 Arcimoto Deliverator | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2021 Arcimoto Rapid Responder | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2020 Arcimoto Roadster | high-voltage traction battery |
| Units affected | 252 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the main contactor opens, the battery can shut down and the vehicle can lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and schedule the firmware update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Arcimoto dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Arcimoto Roadster, Fuv, Deliverator, or Rapid Responder is included in this recall.
- Contact Arcimoto customer service at 1-541-683-6293 to schedule the free inverter firmware update that fixes the battery shutdown risk.
- Reference recall number 21V242 when you call, and bring the recall notice if Arcimoto mailed one to you.
- Ride cautiously until the update is complete. Leave extra space and plan a safe place to pull over if motive power drops.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Arcimoto technician updates the inverter firmware with the corrected software. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered under campaign 21V242. Arcimoto has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible out of pocket repairs tied to this recall. If you already paid for a related firmware or inverter repair before the recall work was completed, ask Arcimoto customer service or the dealer service desk what documentation they need for a reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 6, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 19, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 19, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 27, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V242?
Recall 21V242 covers 252 2019-2021 Arcimoto Roadster, Fuv, Deliverator, and Rapid Responder motorcycles with inverter firmware that can allow the battery to shut down without warning. A battery shutdown can cause loss of motive power and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Arcimoto Roadster, Fuv, Deliverator, or Rapid Responder is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 21V242. If it is, contact Arcimoto customer service at 1-541-683-6293 or a franchised Arcimoto service contact to arrange the free firmware update.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Arcimoto will update the inverter firmware free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2021, so the remedy is available now.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of motive power while riding. In this recall, the inverter firmware can allow the main contactor to open, causing battery shutdown without warning and increasing crash risk.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning before the battery shutdown described in recall 21V242. The filing says the inverter firmware can allow the battery to shut down without warning, so the VIN check and firmware update matter even if the motorcycle feels normal.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V242000 |
|---|---|
| Arcimoto customer service | 1-541-683-6293 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V242 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V242000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →