NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt has 6 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 1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt, describing incidents dated January 21, 2015.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

The complaint on file reports a crash, with 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10693161 · Filed March 9, 2015
I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. LEAVING A STOP, THE ENGINE WENT TO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. THE BIKE WHEELIED, I FELL OFF AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE ENGINE THROTTLE STAYED WIDE OPEN UNTIL THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR SHUT IT DOWN. I INJURED MY LEFT SHOULDER AND ELBOW. WHEN I GOT THE BUELL HOME AND…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 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/THROTTLE CONTROL

NHTSA #03V427000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2003 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 2,830 vehicles

Buell campaign 0827 · Owners notified November 20, 2003 · Vehicles built through June 15, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED EXCLUSIVELY WITH A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE IDLE CONTROL CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CABLE GUIDE DUE TO IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR'S HAND IS REMOVED FROM THE TWIST GRIP, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THROTTLE CABLE CLAMP, WHICH SERVES TO ENSURE RETENTION OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES IN THE CABLE GUIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.

Notes

BUELL RECALL NO. 0827.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BUELL/FUEL FILTER

NHTSA #00V038000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported February 14, 2000 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 2,912 vehicles

Owners notified March 20, 2000 · Vehicles built January 4, 1998 – April 30, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL FILTER CAN LEAK.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 20, 2000.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/REAR BRAKE LINE

NHTSA #00V037000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported February 14, 2000 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 839 vehicles

Owners notified March 20, 2000 · Vehicles built March 30, 1998 – April 23, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN CAUSE IT TO BECOME DAMAGED AND LEAK FLUID.

Safety consequence

A LOSS OF REAR WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITIES COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINE.

Notes

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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #10693161

Crash 1 injury

Incident: January 21, 2015 · Filed: March 9, 2015

I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. LEAVING A STOP, THE ENGINE WENT TO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE. THE BIKE WHEELIED, I FELL OFF AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE ENGINE THROTTLE STAYED WIDE OPEN UNTIL THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR SHUT IT DOWN. I INJURED MY LEFT SHOULDER AND ELBOW. WHEN I GOT THE BUELL HOME AND INVESTIGATED, I FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY SHAFT HAD FRACTURED AT THE FIRST SCREW HOLE, LEAVING THE BUTTERFLY FREE TO GO WIDE OPEN. LOOKING AT THE BUELL ENTHUSIAST'S WEBSITE "BADWEATHER BIKERS", I FIND THAT THROTTLE SHAFT BREAKAGE IS NOT UNCOMMON IN FUEL-INJECTED 1999 - 2007 BUELLS. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AS I DID. *TR

Other Buell S3 Thunderbolt model years

Check your 1999 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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