1998 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT

7 recalls — 15 complaints

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.
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.
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.
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.
99V086000 Apr 26, 1999
SUSPENSION:FRONT
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Consequence
THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.
5,208 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
97V153000 Sep 12, 1997
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.
2,820 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Complaint Statistics

15 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SUSPENSION:REAR3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 5, 2000
NO SUMMARY
SUSPENSION:REAR Jul 27, 2000
Incident date: Jun 28, 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 TH... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Jul 27, 2000
Incident date: Jun 28, 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 TH... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 27, 2000
Incident date: Jun 28, 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 TH... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Jul 27, 2000
Incident date: Jun 28, 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 TH... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL Jul 27, 2000
Incident date: Jun 28, 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 TH... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL Feb 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL 99V105000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO:0815 CONCERNING FUEL EMISSION CONTROL VENT VALVE. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING Feb 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL NO99V104000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO0814. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL990V097000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0813 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE'S KICKSTAND. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
SUSPENSION:REAR Feb 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MFR RECALL 0810 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Feb 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL 97V153000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0807. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER Feb 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
SUSPENSION:REAR Feb 8, 2000
NHTSA RECALL 99V106000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0816 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLY REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT Mar 31, 1999
Incident date: Mar 29, 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 COLLI... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM Mar 31, 1999
Incident date: Mar 29, 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 COLLI... Read more

BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT across all model years (1997–2000).

22 Total Recalls
20 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
2 Reported Crashes
0 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT — Year by Year

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

Year Recalls Complaints
2000 2 0 View
1999 6 2 View
1998 (current) 7 15
1997 7 3 View

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