VehicleVerdict

2008 Zap Xebra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Zap Xebra sits mid-pack among Xebra years: 51 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 51, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 80% of all reports (41 of 51), far ahead of other at 4.

51

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

What are the most common 2008 Zap Xebra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4180%
Other48%
Electrical System24%
Body & Structure24%
Fuel System12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2008 Zap Xebra have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V363000BrakesJuly 27, 2012 · 691 units

Defect

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.

12V230000BrakesMay 21, 2012 · 627 units

Defect

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.

09V385000BrakesOctober 2, 2009 · 738 units

Defect

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.

09V177000BrakesMay 26, 2009 · 738 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVING ACROSS THE CENTER LANE OF A FIVE LANE HIGHWAY, I WAS HIT BY A CAR TRAVELING IN THE CENTER LANE. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP QUICK ENOUGH TO AVOID BEING HIT AND I BELIEVE THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THE COLLISION WAS BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE INSUFFICIENT FOR THE VEHICLE. I FILED A SMALL CLAIMS LAWSUIT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 6, 2012 · crash

“HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/RECALLS/RESULTS.CFM?RCL_ID=09V177000&SEARCHTYPE=QUICKSEARCH&SUMMARY=TRUE&REFURL=RSS COMPANY STILL ADVERTISING THESE VEHICLES ON CRAIGLIST & EBAY FOR SALE WITHOUT ADEQUATE DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IS THIS LEGAL? HTTP://SFBAY.CRAIGSLIST.ORG/NBY/BAR/1344519387.HTML.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 1, 2009

“DRIVING ACROSS THE CENTER LANE OF A FIVE LANE HIGHWAY, I WAS HIT BY A CAR TRAVELING IN THE CENTER LANE. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP QUICK ENOUGH TO AVOID BEING HIT AND I BELIEVE THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THE COLLISION WAS BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE INSUFFICIENT FOR THE VEHICLE. I FILED A SMALL CLAIMS LAWSUIT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 6, 2012 · crash

“MY XEBRA WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE CENTER AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH THIS MODEL IS CURRENTLY IN A RECALL BUY BACK PROGRAM, IT WOULD STILL BE WORTH INVESTIGATING THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FIRE IN CASE IT'S A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 5, 2013 · fire

“THERE IS WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THE NEWER SUNL VIP MOTOR SCOOTERS. THE ORIENTATION OF THE THROTTLE CAM RETRACTION SPRING END, THE LENGTH OF THE THROTTLE CAM RETRACTION SPRING END AND THE LONG DISTANCE FROM THE THROTTLE CABLE MOUNT TO THE THROTTLE CAM (ALLOWING SLACK IN THE METAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 2, 2009 · crash

2008 Zap Xebra — common questions

Is the 2008 Zap Xebra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Xebra: 51 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 Xebra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (41 complaints), other (4 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Zap Xebra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Zap Xebra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.