1998 Buell S3 THUNDERBOLT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. 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:Rear is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 11.1% |
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:Rear | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 1 |
Suspension:Rear: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 1; Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber: 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. 9 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 | 9 |
2000: 9
Pattern summary
Suspension:Rear leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 866131 · 2000-07-27 (July 27, 2000)
RECALLS 99 V 107 000/REAR SHOCK ABSORBER, 99 V 106 000/SWINGARM, 99 V 105 000/FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY, 99 V 104 000/FUEL TANK MOUNTING, 99 V 086 000/SIDESTAND SWITCH AND 97 V 153 000/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR: DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAVE SEVERAL MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THEM BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PARTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 866131 at NHTSA ↗