Is irony dead? "I don't recall."

Recalls are a fact of life for vehicle manufacturers, and a very important mechanism for consumer protection. Still, sometimes it seems like the system can err on the side of caution. This is especially noticeable when that caution is standing waist high in a golden field of irony. This latest recall — NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V762000 — affecting some three dozen electric bikes from Zero Motorcycles, for example.

Example Emission Label for Some 2007 and Earlier Model Year Vehicles

According to NHTSA, as many as thirty-six machines from the new 2018 lineup have the wrong year printed on their VECI label. What is a VECI label? So glad you asked. The acronym stands for Vehicle Emission Control Information, and on an assortment of machines that include the 2018 S ZF13.0, S ZF7.2, SR ZF14.4, DS ZF13.0, DSR ZF14.4, FX ZF7.2, and FXS ZF7.2, it incorrectly says 2017 and not 2018 as it should.

If you have one of the affected bikes, first, lucky you. Second, Zero should be giving you a call this month so you can get in touch with your dealer, who will happily install a brand new corrected sticker for you free of charge. Because without that, who would be able to tell if your zero emission motorcycle is in compliance with emissions law.

This sort of confusion could possibly lead to a disaster of biblical proportions. We're talking fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria! But, we digress.

All kidding aside, owners are invited to contact Zero customer service at 1-888-841-8085. Zero's number for this recall is SV-ZMC-017-380. If you're not an owner, we suggest you check out the video below of the California company's 2018 lineup.

Source: Asphalt & Rubber, NHTSA