2008 ZAP Xebra
4 recall campaigns and 44 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 2008 ZAP Xebra; the recalls concern service brakes, hydraulic.
The component named most often is service brakes: 647.1 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 41.5 per 1,000 across all 2008 model-year vehicles and against 647.1 per 1,000 for the ZAP Xebra line as a whole.
That is about the same as the average of 44.0 complaints per model year across the 1 ZAP Xebra model years on this register; 3 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2014 (23); the most recent in the file is dated 21 Feb 2016.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
- 12V363000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERReported 27 Jul 2012 · 691 units
Defect, as filed: 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: 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.
Filed by QINGQI GROUP MOTORCYCLE CO., LTD.
Defect, as filed: 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: 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.
Filed by QINGQI GROUP MOTORCYCLE CO., LTD.
- 09V385000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERReported 2 Oct 2009 · 738 units
Defect, as filed: 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: 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.
Filed by QINGQI GROUP MOTORCYCLE CO., LTD.
Defect, as filed: 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: 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.
Filed by QINGQI GROUP MOTORCYCLE CO., LTD.
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2008 ZAP Xebra (black) against all 2008 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2008 | Xebra line | All 2008 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 647.1 | 647.1 | 41.5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 156.9 | 156.9 | 33.2 |
| Unknown or Other | 78.4 | 78.4 | 34.8 |
| Structure | 39.2 | 39.2 | 47.5 |
| Electrical System | 39.2 | 39.2 | 142.9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 19.6 | 19.6 | 21.8 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 33 | 647.1 | 647.1 | 41.5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 156.9 | 156.9 | 33.2 |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 78.4 | 78.4 | 34.8 |
| Structure | 2 | 39.2 | 39.2 | 47.5 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 39.2 | 39.2 | 142.9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 19.6 | 19.6 | 21.8 |
| Power Train | 1 | 19.6 | 19.6 | 75.7 |
44 unique complaints, 51 component mentions; 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other ZAP Xebra model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | 44 | 2,794 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All ZAP Xebra model years · ZAP: 1 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2008 ZAP Xebra have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 12V363000, was reported to NHTSA on 27 Jul 2012 and concerns service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder. Across all model years the ZAP Xebra line has 4 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2008 ZAP Xebra?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2008 ZAP Xebra complain about most?
Service Brakes: 33 of 51 component mentions (647.1 per 1,000). Next is service brakes, hydraulic with 8. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.