Buell S3 THUNDERBOLT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
38,292 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 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 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Suspension:Rear: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2004: 1; 2015: 1
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 ↗
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 |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 2000 | 2 |
1997: 7; 1998: 7; 1999: 6; 2000: 2