NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 10 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 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt, describing incidents dated March 29, 1999 to June 28, 2000.

Most-cited components

Suspension 4 complaints
Service Brakes 3 complaints
Unknown or Other 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #866131 · Filed July 27, 2000
RECALLS 99 V 107 000/REAR SHOCK ABSORBER, 99 V 106 000/SWINGARM, 99 V 105 000/FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY, 99 V 104 000/FUEL TANK MOUNTING, 99 V 086 000/SIDESTAND SWITCH AND 97 V 153 000/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR: DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAVE SEVERAL MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS, AND…
ODI #856638 · Filed February 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL 97V153000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0807. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK
ODI #856631 · Filed February 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MFR RECALL 0810 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

Read all 10 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Buell S3 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
- Recall 03V-427

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/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 – September 5, 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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt.

Suspension; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine and Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline; Unknown or Other

ODI #866131

Incident: June 28, 2000 · Filed: July 27, 2000

RECALLS 99 V 107 000/REAR SHOCK ABSORBER, 99 V 106 000/SWINGARM, 99 V 105 000/FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY, 99 V 104 000/FUEL TANK MOUNTING, 99 V 086 000/SIDESTAND SWITCH AND 97 V 153 000/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR: DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAVE SEVERAL MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THEM BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PARTS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #856638

Filed: February 9, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 97V153000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0807. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK

Suspension

ODI #856631

Filed: February 9, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MFR RECALL 0810 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

Unknown or Other

ODI #856629

Filed: February 9, 2000

NHTSA RECALL990V097000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0813 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE'S KICKSTAND. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #856622

Filed: February 9, 2000

NHTSA RECALL NO99V104000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO0814. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #856618

Filed: February 9, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V105000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO:0815 CONCERNING FUEL EMISSION CONTROL VENT VALVE. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK

Suspension

ODI #856536

Filed: February 8, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V106000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0816 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLY REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

Suspension

ODI #856531

Filed: February 8, 2000

NHTSA RECALL NO:99V107000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO:0817 CONCERNING REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. 1ST ATTEMPT 10-JUL-99, 2ND ATTEMPT 15-OCT-99, AND 3RD ATTEMPT 8-FEB2000. *AK

Unknown or Other

ODI #729266

Filed: August 27, 2000

NO SUMMARY

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Power Train

ODI #705132

Incident: March 29, 1999 · Filed: March 31, 1999

THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SPROCKET COULD HAVE CAUSED A REAR WHEEL LOCK UP, THIS IN TURN COULD HAVE CUASED A COLLISION, INJURY, OR FATALITY THE REAR BRAKES/ AND TAILLIGHTS BURNED OUT QUICKLY AFTER ABOUT 2500 MILES. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO HAVE NO INDICATION OF BRAKING WICH COULD CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION. *AK

Other Buell S3 Thunderbolt model years

Check your 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buell S3 Thunderbolt at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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