Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Buell S1 Lightning
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
436.4%
Fuel & Propulsion
218.2%
Suspension
218.2%
Brakes
218.2%
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Buell S1 Lightning
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE03043Opened 23 Sep 2003Closed 30 Oct 2003VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE
TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUELL IS RECALLING THOSE FUEL-INJECTED MOTORCYCLES THAT IT BUILT WITHOUT A THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL CLAMP.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE REFER TO THE MEMORANDUM ENTITLED THE SCOPE OF BUELL'S SAFETY RECALL, 03V-427 COPY ATTACHED.
Recalls on the 1998 Buell S1 Lightning
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1999190284 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain motorcycles, the rear shock absorber eye could break. If the shock absorber eye should break, the underside of the vehicle will drag on the ground, which may adversely affect handling and could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Rear shock absorber will be replaced.
Recall 1999189290 units in Canada
Suspension
Certain motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break. If this should occur, vehicle handling could be adversely affected which could lead to a vehicle crash without prior warning. Correction: Swingarm will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Recall 1999188412 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank valve assembly could become plugged. 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 may cause the engine to misfire or stall. Either of these conditions could result in personal injury. In addition, certain M2 Cyclone models may have a component that could restrict airflow into the float bowl of the carburetor. This could cause the carburetor to overflow fuel which could result in a fire. This could also prevent sufficient fuel flow which may cause engine misfire or stalling. Correction: Fuel tank vent valve assembly will be replaced. M2 Cyclone models will have the float bowl assembly inspected for proper venting and have the condition corrected if necessary.
Recall 1999187346 units in Canada
Structure
On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank mount system could, in the event of a collision, allow the fuel tank to become separated. Fuel tank separation could result in personal injury. Correction: Fuel tank mount system will be replaced.
Recall 1999186332 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain motorcycles, the side stand switch could become inoperative. This condition could cause the engine to stall or quit when riding which could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Side stand switch will be replaced.
Recall 1999184138 units in Canada
Electrical
Certain motorcycles were built with a negative battery cable that could break. This condition could cause the engine to stall or quit when riding which could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Negative battery cable will be inspected and replaced if necessary on affected vehicles.
Recall 1999183177 units in Canada
Structure
Certain motorcycles were built with an isolator mount system that could lose clamp load. Should this condition occur, it may allow the engine to move unexpectedly within the frame and cause unintended distraction to the operator, which could result in an accident. Correction: Front isolator system will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Recall 1998057150 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain motorcyles do not comply with CMVSS 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. Failure of one or more turn signal lamps would not be indicated to the operator of the vehicle by a noticeable change in the flashing rate of the turn signal indicator light. Correction: Turn signal flasher unit will be replaced.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Littleton, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DEALER NOTIFIED OF EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED. AS OF NOW NONE OF THE RECALL REPAIRS WWERE MADE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL THE PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #853343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Litteton, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES. DEALER NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS DONE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. WAITING SINCE 25 OF MAY 1999. AS OF DECEMBER 30, 1999 PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #853344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
SUSPENSION:REAR
DEALER NOTIFIED OF EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED. AS OF NOW NONE OF THE RECALL REPAIRS WWERE MADE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL THE PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #853343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Litteton, CO
SUSPENSION:REAR
RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES. DEALER NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS DONE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. WAITING SINCE 25 OF MAY 1999. AS OF DECEMBER 30, 1999 PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #853344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DEALER NOTIFIED OF EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED. AS OF NOW NONE OF THE RECALL REPAIRS WWERE MADE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL THE PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #853343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Litteton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES. DEALER NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS DONE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. WAITING SINCE 25 OF MAY 1999. AS OF DECEMBER 30, 1999 PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #853344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
DEALER NOTIFIED OF EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED. AS OF NOW NONE OF THE RECALL REPAIRS WWERE MADE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL THE PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #853343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Litteton, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES. DEALER NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS DONE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. WAITING SINCE 25 OF MAY 1999. AS OF DECEMBER 30, 1999 PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #853344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DEALER NOTIFIED OF EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED. AS OF NOW NONE OF THE RECALL REPAIRS WWERE MADE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL THE PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #853343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Litteton, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES. DEALER NOTIFIED AND NO REPAIRS DONE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON ALL PARTS BEFORE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE. WAITING SINCE 25 OF MAY 1999. AS OF DECEMBER 30, 1999 PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #853344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE RUBBER ON THE FOOT PEG TURNS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS RESTING ON THE PEG. THE RUBBER AROUND THE FOOT PEG IS ALSO COMING OFF THE PEG. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #840555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.