try.vin
Log in

NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Buell S1 Lightning Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Buell S1 Lightning has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buell dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Buell S1 Lightning owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning, describing incidents dated May 18, 1999 to June 22, 1999.

Most-cited components

  • Suspension 7 complaints
  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
  • Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #863997 · Filed

    WAS UNABLE TO GET SIX MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES HONORED BY DEALER BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

  • ODI #860678 · Filed

    NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0810/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

  • ODI #860674 · Filed

    NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MFR RECALL 0810./ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

Read all 7 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

BUELL/REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

NHTSA #99V107000 · Suspension — Rear — Shock Absorber · NHTSA notice

Reported May 6, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 8,950 vehicles

Owners notified June 28, 1999 · Vehicles built February 1, 1994 – June 16, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.

Safety consequence

IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 28, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/SWINGARM

NHTSA #99V106000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported May 6, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 8,950 vehicles

Owners notified July 8, 1999 · Vehicles built February 1, 1994 – June 16, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.

Safety consequence

IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #99V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported May 6, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 12,321 vehicles

Owners notified June 15, 1999 · Vehicles built February 1, 1994 – April 21, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.

Safety consequence

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO PREVENT SUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE OR STALL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 15, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/FUEL TANK MOUNTING

NHTSA #99V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported May 6, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 10,556 vehicles

Owners notified June 4, 1999 · Vehicles built February 1, 1994 – April 21, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM THAT COULD, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/SIDESTAND SWITCH

NHTSA #99V097000 · Unknown or Other · NHTSA notice

Reported April 29, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 10,255 vehicles

Owners notified June 24, 1999 · Vehicles built January 20, 1995 – April 21, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 24, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/BATTERY CABLE

NHTSA #99V095000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported April 29, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 3,878 vehicles

Owners notified May 21, 1999 · Vehicles built January 20, 1995 – June 16, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. MOTION OF THE BATTERY CABLE CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF ITS TERMINAL.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 21, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM

NHTSA #99V086000 · Suspension — Front · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 5,208 vehicles

Buell campaign 0810 · Owners notified May 18, 1999 · Vehicles built January 6, 1996 – June 16, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 18, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR

NHTSA #97V153000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported September 12, 1997 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 2,820 vehicles

Owners notified September 29, 1997 · Vehicles built July 2, 1996 – July 4, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE E-CLIP WHICH RETAINS THE DRIVE PIN ON THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR AND CARRIER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE DRIVE PIN ALLOWING THE PIN TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION AND COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-935-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Other Buell S1 Lightning model years

Check your 1997 Buell S1 Lightning VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buell S1 Lightning at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Buell VIN