Reliability & cost of ownership
Zero S Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Zero S? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars — then open the year you're shopping for a full reliability and repair-cost forecast.
Zero S problems by model year
5 recall entries and 5 owner complaints on file across 5 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 S | 1 | 1 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 2013 S | 1 | 1 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 2012 S | 0 | 1 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 2011 S | 2 | 1 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 2010 S | 1 | 1 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Zero S, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- vehicle speed control2 complaints
- engine2 complaints
- electrical system2 complaints
- service brakes2 complaints
- exterior lighting1 complaint