RecallMyCar

Buell S3 Thunderbolt Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints across 4 model years of the Buell S3 Thunderbolt (1997–2000). The most-complained-about year is 1998.

11
safety recalls, all years
13
owner complaints, all years
1997
year with most recalls
1998
year with most complaints

Pick your Buell S3 Thunderbolt model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2000 Buell S3 Thunderbolt20
1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt61
1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt710
1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt72

What Buell S3 Thunderbolt owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The 1998 model year has the most, with 10.

All Buell S3 Thunderbolt recalls (11)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Buell S3 Thunderbolt, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Cables (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 03V427000 Reported 2,830 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    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.

    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…

    Model years: 1999, 2000

  2. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 00V163000 Reported 6,219 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. The rear shock absorber can break, dragging the underside of the vehicle on the ground.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a shock reinforcement package (srp) which protects the structual integrity of the suspension system. A new shock absorber is currently being developed. When the new shock absorber is available, if…

    Model years: 2000

  3. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 00V037000 Reported 839 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. The location of the rear brake line can cause it to become damaged and leak fluid.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake line.

    Model years: 1999

  4. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 00V038000 Reported 2,912 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. The fuel filter can leak.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filter.

    Model years: 1999

  5. 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.

    Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999

  6. 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.

    Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999

  7. 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.

    Model years: 1997, 1998

  8. 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.

    Model years: 1997, 1998

  9. 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.

    Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999

  10. Suspension: front

    NHTSA 99V086000 Reported 5,208 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    Vehicle description: motorcycles. The front isolator mount system can lose clamp load and possibly break.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front isolator mount system.

    Model years: 1997, 1998

  11. Service brakes, hydraulic

    NHTSA 97V153000 Reported 2,820 vehicles potentially affected BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will repair these motorcycles.

    Model years: 1997, 1998

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.