NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Buell X1 Lightning Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Buell X1 Lightning has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 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 1999 Buell X1 Lightning. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1999 Buell X1 Lightning owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Buell X1 Lightning, describing incidents dated November 1, 1999 to August 1, 2005.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10133297 · Filed August 18, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A BELT INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN, THE REAR BRAKE LINE SEVERED BECAUSE OF THE BELT. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THE PLASTIC…
ODI #714699 · Filed November 12, 1999
SIDE STAND SWITCH WAS REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO ON A PREVIOUS RECALL BY MFG!

Read all 2 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Buell X1 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.

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/BATTERY CABLE

NHTSA #99V134000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 1,765 vehicles

Owners notified May 28, 1999 · Vehicles built January 4, 1998 – April 20, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CAN CONTACT THE BATTERY CARRIER.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE MOTORCYCLE COULD STALL OR QUIT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING AND CORRECT IT IF THERE IS ANY SIGN OF CONTACT.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 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/REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR HOSE

NHTSA #99V133000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 1,765 vehicles

Owners notified June 1, 1999 · Vehicles built January 4, 1998 – April 20, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR HOSE CAN CHAFE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE RIDER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITIES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE IF NCESSARY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 1, 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/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/REAR BRAKE LINE

NHTSA #99V096000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported April 29, 1999 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 1,765 vehicles

Owners notified June 1, 1999 · Vehicles built January 4, 1998 – April 20, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN CHAFE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE RIDER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITIES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINE.

Notes

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Buell X1 Lightning. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Buell X1 Lightning.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10133297

Incident: August 1, 2005 · Filed: August 18, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A BELT INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN, THE REAR BRAKE LINE SEVERED BECAUSE OF THE BELT. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO, THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND WHERE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSING COMPLETELY DOWN BUT NOT STOPPING AS WELL AS IT HAD BEFORE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TWICE. THE LOCAL DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #714699

Incident: November 1, 1999 · Filed: November 12, 1999

SIDE STAND SWITCH WAS REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO ON A PREVIOUS RECALL BY MFG!

Other Buell X1 Lightning model years

Check your 1999 Buell X1 Lightning VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buell X1 Lightning at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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