RecallMyCar

1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt Recalls, Complaints & Specs

7 safety recalls list the 1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

7
safety recalls
2
owner complaints to NHTSA

7 safety recalls for the 1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt

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. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 20,100 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Traveling country road at ~60 MPH, while rounding corner. Motorcycle started vibrating heavily. I was able to safely pull to side of road. Buell stated that proper warranty repair had been done for pr”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 29, 2004 · Structure

“NHTSA recall 99v107000 and manufacturer's recall 0817 concerning suspension failure. Recall repairs failed twice. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 2, 1999 · Suspension

Compare Buell S3 Thunderbolt model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Buell S3 Thunderbolt model year in NHTSA's database.

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

Checking a specific 1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt

How do I know if my 1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt 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. 7 campaigns currently list the 1997 Buell S3 Thunderbolt; 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 97V153000).

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.