1996 BUELL S1 LIGHTNING

6 recalls — 3 complaints

99V107000 May 6, 1999
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence
IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.
8,950 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
99V106000 May 6, 1999
SUSPENSION:REAR
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence
IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
8,950 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
99V104000 May 6, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
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.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
10,556 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
99V105000 May 6, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.
12,321 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
99V095000 Apr 29, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. MOTION OF THE BATTERY CABLE CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF ITS TERMINAL.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.
3,878 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
99V097000 Apr 29, 1999
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
10,255 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Complaint Statistics

3 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR May 8, 2000
A DESIGN FLAW CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKE TO COMPLETELY LOCK UP DUE TO EXCESSIVELY LOOSE FLOATING FRONT BRAKE ROTOR THAT WAS GRINDING AGAINST THE BRAKE CALIPER. NLM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Oct 7, 1999
Incident date: Sep 22, 1999
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES 99V095000/99V097000/99V104000/ 99V105000/99V106000, AND 99V107000 IN THE MAIL. HAD CONTACTED A MOTORCYLE DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED HAD NO PARTS FOR MOTORCYCLE. DO NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. OWNER UPSET*AK.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES Jun 26, 1998
Incident date: Sep 1, 1997
THE NEGATIVE BATTERY LEAD FOR THE S1 MODELS IS TOO SHORT. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SLACK TO ALLOW FOR MOVEMENT DUE TO VIBRATION. THE EFFECTS OF THE LEAD BREAKING IS TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO SHUT DOWN AND LIGHTS TO GO OFF.

BUELL S1 LIGHTNING — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BUELL S1 LIGHTNING across all model years (1996–1998).

22 Total Recalls
25 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
0 Reported Crashes
0 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BUELL S1 LIGHTNING — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1998 8 11 View
1997 8 11 View
1996 (current) 6 3

Other BUELL Models

Model Recalls Complaints
S3 THUNDERBOLT 22 20 View
M2 CYCLONE 21 11 View
S3T THUNDERBOLT 16 0 View
S2 THUNDERBOLT 12 7 View
X1 LIGHTNING 9 8 View
S1 WHITE LIGHTNING 7 4 View
S2T 6 6 View
XB12X 5 19 View