NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buell dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt, describing incidents dated July 1, 1999.
Most-cited components
- Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #849622 · Filed
RECALLS 99V107/99V106/99V105, AND 99V10;, EASTGATE HARLEY DAVIDSON 699 OLD STATE ROUTE 74, CINNANNTI OH 45245 (513)528-1400, THESE RECALLS HAVE NOT BEEN MODIFIED. A DEFECTS STILL EXISTS AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. MANUFACTURER STATED IT WOULD TAKE A MONTH TO RECEIVE THE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt 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.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE03-043: THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE
Closed October 30, 2003
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).
Other Buell S2 Thunderbolt model years
Check your 1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buell S2 Thunderbolt at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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