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2008 Zap Xebra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 19 of 44 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

44 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2016
Service Brakes

HELLO, I'M WRITING ABOUT THE COURT DECREE ON 7/16/13 SIGNED MY JUDGE ROSEMARY COLLYER. ZAP IS SUPPOSED TO REPORT TO NHTSA REGULARLY ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE REFUND AND DISPOSITION OF EACH RECALLED VEHICLE FOR THREE YEARS. SOMEBODY FORM ZAP WORLD CONTACTED ME ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE......HOW CAN YOU HELP. TY.

NHTSA ODI #10837385

1,905 miles · Apr 11, 2014
Service Brakes

THIS VEHICLE IS ALREADY RECALLED, MY VEHICLE SUFFERED A COMPLETE LOSS OR BRAKE SYSTEMS AND FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO BE STEERED TO AN UPHILL AREA BEFORE HITTING A SMALL RETAINING WALL. ZAP PROVIDED DOT RECALL NOTICE FOR BRAKE FAILURES TO STOP, AND RULES FOR RECALL. I HAVE FOLLOWED THESE RULES WHICH WERE DRAWN OUT FROM LATE 2012…

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THIS VEHICLE IS ALREADY RECALLED, MY VEHICLE SUFFERED A COMPLETE LOSS OR BRAKE SYSTEMS AND FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO BE STEERED TO AN UPHILL AREA BEFORE HITTING A SMALL RETAINING WALL. ZAP PROVIDED DOT RECALL NOTICE FOR BRAKE FAILURES TO STOP, AND RULES FOR RECALL. I HAVE FOLLOWED THESE RULES WHICH WERE DRAWN OUT FROM LATE 2012 UNTIL DECEMBER 2013. IN DECEMBER 2013 ZAP INFORMED ME I WOULD BE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD BE PICKED UP AND REMOVED IN Q1. THE VEHICLE IS STILL SITTING AT MY HOME IN OHIO. NO ONE FROM ZAP IS RESPONSIVE. WHAT ACTION SHOULD I BE TAKING? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579086

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2014
Service Brakes

AS WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS, I WAS NOTIFIED BY ZAP THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL DUE TO INCURABLE FAULTS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I FILED ALL THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK AND RECEIVED A LETTER THAT I QUALIFIED FOR THE BUY BACK PROGRAM. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND MAKE PAYMENT BY 12/31 THEN …

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AS WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS, I WAS NOTIFIED BY ZAP THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL DUE TO INCURABLE FAULTS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I FILED ALL THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK AND RECEIVED A LETTER THAT I QUALIFIED FOR THE BUY BACK PROGRAM. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND MAKE PAYMENT BY 12/31 THEN 1/31. I RECEIVED THE SAME CURT AND UNINFORMATIVE RESPONSE THAT OTHERS RECEIVED AND NOTHING SINCE. I CONTACTED NHTSA, WHO DIRECTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC, WHO DIRECTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB. ZAP DID NOT RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINT WITHIN THE DESIGNATED TIME FRAME, SO THEY WILL RECEIVE A NEGATIVE MARK ON THEIR BBB RATING. NO OTHER CURE HAS BEEN OFFERED TO ME. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT? IS THAT OUR ONLY RECOURSE? PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573013

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2014
Service Brakes

I AGREE WITH OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINTS. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL, BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING TOO. YET, I STILL HAVE THE TRUCK THAT CAN'T BE DRIVEN AND HAVE TO HAVE IT STORED. PLEASE HELP!!! THIS IS NOT RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568538

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2014
Unknown Or Other

ZAP IS UNDER ORDER TO REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PALTRY SUM OF $3100.00. THIS WAS TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY 12/31/2013, EXTENDED TO 1/31/2014. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING OFFICIAL FORM THE COMPANY, HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING PAYMENT AND/OR TO ARRANGE FOR PICK UP OF SAID VEHICLE. THE LAST COMMUNICATION OF ANY KIND I HAV…

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ZAP IS UNDER ORDER TO REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PALTRY SUM OF $3100.00. THIS WAS TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY 12/31/2013, EXTENDED TO 1/31/2014. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING OFFICIAL FORM THE COMPANY, HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING PAYMENT AND/OR TO ARRANGE FOR PICK UP OF SAID VEHICLE. THE LAST COMMUNICATION OF ANY KIND I HAVE HAD WAS FROM RECALL@ZAPWORLD.COM ON 2/27/2014, WHICH SAID: "NEGOTIATIONS WITH NHTSA HAVE ENDED. THEY ARE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. SHOULD KNOW BY NEXT WEEK. WILL ADVISE." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568046

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2014
Service Brakes

I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR A BRAKE ISSUE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY ZAP THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I DID MAKE A REQUEST TO THEM VIA CERTIFIED MAIL IN 2013 BUT, HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM THEM. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THIS RECALL? WHAT DO I DO WITH A VEHICLE T…

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I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR A BRAKE ISSUE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY ZAP THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I DID MAKE A REQUEST TO THEM VIA CERTIFIED MAIL IN 2013 BUT, HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM THEM. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THIS RECALL? WHAT DO I DO WITH A VEHICLE THAT CAN NOT BE INSURED AND THEREFORE NOT REGISTERED? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567985

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2014
Service Brakes

AS WITH EVERYONE ELSE HERE. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY MONEY OR RESPONSE FROM ZAP JONWAY. I CALLED THE NHTSA TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY. THE LADY TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND I SHOULD CALL THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (877-382-4357). I'VE DONE THAT AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THEY TOLD M…

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AS WITH EVERYONE ELSE HERE. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY MONEY OR RESPONSE FROM ZAP JONWAY. I CALLED THE NHTSA TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY. THE LADY TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND I SHOULD CALL THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (877-382-4357). I'VE DONE THAT AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD ALSO CALL MY STATES ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE. I SUGGEST OTHER ZAP OWNERS DO THE SAME. STUCK WITH A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE OR SELL. IT'S A REAL SHAME HOW THEY HAVE TREATED THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567042

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2014
Service Brakes

THE ZAP COMPANY HAS NOT PICKED UP VEHICLE THE GOV.'T HAS NO TEETH IN ENFORCING THE BUYBACK WHICH ZAP SAID IT WOULD DO ALMOST A YEAR AGO THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ABIDE BY THE LAW BECAUSE THEY KNOW OUR GOV.'T DOES NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566598

1,200 miles · Feb 28, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other

LIKE MANY OTHERS WHOSE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON THIS WEBSITE, I AM A VICTIM OF ZAP'S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS STIPULATED IN THE RECALL OF ITS 2008 XEBRAS. I RECEIVED ALL THE NOTICES, AND FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER OF NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I EVEN HAD TO PASS ON TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO SELL THE VEHICLE, KNOWI…

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LIKE MANY OTHERS WHOSE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON THIS WEBSITE, I AM A VICTIM OF ZAP'S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS STIPULATED IN THE RECALL OF ITS 2008 XEBRAS. I RECEIVED ALL THE NOTICES, AND FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER OF NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I EVEN HAD TO PASS ON TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO SELL THE VEHICLE, KNOWING THAT IT WAS UNSAFE. I SUBMITTED ALL THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK ON 8/28/13, PER THE FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS SENT BY ZAP. THE CERTIFIED MAIL RECEIPT I RECEIVED FROM THE USPS CONFIRMS THAT ZAP RECEIVED SAID PAPERWORK ON 8/29/13. I WAITED AND WAITED, AND HEARD NOTHING BACK. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM CLOSED SHOP. I LIVE IN THE COUNTY WHERE ZAP IS BASED, SO ASSUMED THAT FOLLOW UP WOULD BE EASY, BUT FOUND IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACK DOWN A HUMAN BEING TO SPEAK TO. I FINALLY GOT A CELL PHONE NUMBER, AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE PERSONAL PHONE OF A COUPLE (I SPOKE TO "[XXX]", NO LAST NAME) WHO'D BEEN HIRED BY ZAP TO HANDLE THE RECALL PAPER WORK. [XXX] CONFIRMED THAT MY PAPERS HAD BEEN RECEIVED AND THAT I DO INDEED QUALIFY FOR THE $3,100 PAYMENT AND RECALL FROM ZAP. WHEN I SAID THAT I RECEIVED NO SUCH NOTIFICATION IN WRITING, HE SAID THAT THEY HAD JUST TAKEN ON THE JOB AND NEEDED A LITTLE TIME TO GET PAPERS IN ORDER. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK FROM ZAP, [XXX] OR ANYONE ELSE. ZAP APPEARS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM THE AREA. I HAVE A JUNKED CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY (WHICH ALSO NOW HAS A FLAT TIRE), WHICH IS A LOCAL CODE VIOLATION. I ALSO NEED THE MONEY FROM ZAP FOR THIS GARBAGE VEHICLE, AND FOR THEM TO HAUL IT AWAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566467

3,070 miles · Feb 6, 2014
Service Brakes

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ZAP XEBRA PICKUP THAT I OWN ON 11/4/2013. AS PER AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ZAP AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, ZAP WAS SUPPOSED CONTACT ME TO TRANSFER THE VEHICLE TITLE TO ZAP, AND PAY ME $3100 TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE RECALL OF MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN BY DEC…

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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ZAP XEBRA PICKUP THAT I OWN ON 11/4/2013. AS PER AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN ZAP AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, ZAP WAS SUPPOSED CONTACT ME TO TRANSFER THE VEHICLE TITLE TO ZAP, AND PAY ME $3100 TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE RECALL OF MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN BY DECEMBER 31, 2013. I HAVE ONE E-MAIL FROM ZAP IN JANUARY, 2014 THAT SAYS THAT THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN DELAYED. IT'S NOW FEBRUARY 6TH, 2014, AND I HAVE A TRUCK THAT I CAN'T USE (I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE INSURANCE WAS CANCELLED AFTER THE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT) AND NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LOSS OF MY VEHICLE. NOW, HOW DO I GET ZAP AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO HONOR THEIR AGREEMENT AND RECALL THIS TRUCK AND GET ME THE MONEY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563254

Official recalls

4

12V363000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Jul 27, 2012

QingQi Group Motorcycle Co. Ltd., through its designated agent ZAP, is recalling all model year 2008 ZAP Xebra motorcycles manufactured from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008. These motorcycles do not conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems." The motorcycles were produced without a separate brake fluid reservoir for each brake circuit, with each reservoir filler opening having its own cover, seal, and cover retention device.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without a separate reservoir for each brake, having its own cover, seal, and cover retention device, fluid for one brake circuit may move to the other. If this happens, both reservoirs could lose fluid as a result of a fluid leak in one brake circuit and compromise the stopping ability of the braking system, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: ZAP will notify owners and ZAP will install or send each owner a remedy kit to bring the vehicles into compliance. ZAP has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact ZAP Customer Service at 1-800-251-4555.

12V230000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

May 21, 2012

QINGQI GROUP MOTORCYCLE CO, LTD, THROUGH ITS DESIGNATED AGENT, ZAP USA, IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 ZAP XEBRA ALL ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1, 2008, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2008. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE BRAKING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 122, "MOTORCYCLE BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES TAKE LONGER DISTANCES TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: ZAP, THE DESIGNATED AGENT OF QINGQI GROUP MOTORCYCLE CO, LTD, WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND ZAP DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 8, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZAP AT 1-707-525-8658.

09V385000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Oct 2, 2009

QINGQI IS RECALLING 738 MY 2008 ZAP XEBRA MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY AND DECEMBER 2008. THESE MOTORCYCLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 122, "MOTORCYCLE BRAKE SYSTEMS." THEY DO NOT HAVE A SEPARATE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR FOR THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WITHOUT A SEPARATE RESERVOIR FOR EACH BRAKE, HAVING ITS OWN COVER, SEAL, AND COVER RETENTION DEVICE, FLUID FOR ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT MAY MOVE TO THE OTHER. IF THIS HAPPENS, BOTH RESERVOIRS COULD LOOSE FLUID AS A RESULT OF A FLUID LEAK IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT AND COMPROMISE THE STOPPING ABILITY OF BOTH BRAKES.

Remedy: ZAP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZAP TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-251-4555.

09V177000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

May 26, 2009

QINGQI IS RECALLING 738 MY 2008 ZAP XEBRA MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY AND DECEMBER 2008. THESE MOTORCYCLES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE STOPPING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 122, "MOTORCYCLE BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE MOTORCYCLES REQUIRE LONGER DISTANCES TO STOP THAN THE STANDARD ALLOWS. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: QINGQI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND ZAP DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS, PADS, MASTER CYLINDERS, AND FRONT TIRE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZAP TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-251-4555.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.