RecallMyCar

1996 Buell S1 Lightning Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
3
owner complaints to NHTSA

6 safety recalls for the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Mounting (fuel system)

    NHTSA 99V104000 Reported 10,556 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank mount system.

  2. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 99V105000 Reported 12,321 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a fuel tank vent valve assembly that could become plugged.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank vent valve assembly.

  3. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 99V106000 Reported 8,950 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the swingarm.

  4. Shock absorber (suspension)

    NHTSA 99V107000 Reported 8,950 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a rear shock absorber front eye that could break.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber.

  5. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 99V095000 Reported 3,878 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. Motion of the battery cable can lead to breakage of its terminal.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and/or replace the negative battery cable.

  6. Unknown or other

    NHTSA 99V097000 Reported 10,255 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a sidestand switch that could become inoperative

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the sidestand switch.

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1998 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 12, 2000 · Service brakes, hydraulic

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 7, 1999 · Fuel system, gasoline

Compare Buell S1 Lightning model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Buell S1 Lightning model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1996 Buell S1 Lightning63
1997 Buell S1 Lightning87
1998 Buell S1 Lightning83

Checking a specific 1996 Buell S1 Lightning

How do I know if my 1996 Buell S1 Lightning has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buell dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 99V095000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Buell models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.