Buell S1 LIGHTNING problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 1998 model years. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 7 complaints (71.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Suspension: 5; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 1; Suspension:Rear: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 |
2000: 7
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 551843 · 2000-04-12 (April 12, 2000)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551843 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1997 | 8 |
| 1998 | 8 |
1996: 6; 1997: 8; 1998: 8