2003 Buell FIREBOLT XB9R: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
10,290 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 18 complaints (72.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 13 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices | 3 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Lines And Fittings | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 13; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices: 3; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Lines And Fittings: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: 2; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 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 | 12 |
| 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: 12; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 10; 2011: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10075153 · 2004-06-10 (June 10, 2004)
2003 BUELL BLAST P3, ONLY 1500 MILES ON MOTORCYCLE, HAD FULL TANK OF GAS. ENGINE SPUTTERED AT DIED ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELLING AT 55MPH. VERY DANGEROUS. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER. FOUND RUBBER COUPLER SPLIT IN HALF BETWEEN THE CARBURETOR AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WAS ALMOST KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. USED DUCT TAPE TO TAPE THE COUPLER BACK TOGETHER. BIKE STARTED RIGHT UP AFTER DUCT TAPING THE COUPLER, DID THIS JUST TO GET THE BIKE HOME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139979 · 2005-10-17 (October 17, 2005)
HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS RATTLE IN THE BRACKETS AND BREAK BULB RETAINERS. CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10139979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174991 · 2006-12-02 (December 2, 2006)
REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMP HOUSINGS DELAMINATED, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF PROJECTIVE PROPERTIES OF THE HEADLIGHTS. RESULT IS HEADLIGHTS THAT DO NOT EMIT LIGHT FURTHER THAN 2 - 3 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MAKES NIGHT TIME DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE. REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT BULBS DOES NOT HELP, AS THE HOUSINGS ARE THE DEFECTIVE ITEM. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 16,340 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175695 · 2006-12-10 (December 10, 2006)
BUELL FIREBOLT 03 XB9R HEADLIGHT HOUSING FLAKES OFF AND NIGHT TIME VISIBILITY IS REALLY POOR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175864 · 2006-12-11 (December 11, 2006)
HEADLIGHT HOUSING REFLECTIVE COATING DEGRADES OVER TIME TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE DUE TO POOR LIGHTING. HIT A PIECE OF CONCRETE ON THE INTERSTATE BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE IT IN TIME. DID NOT CRASH LUCKILY, BUT IT BENT THE FRONT RIM AND I LOST THE AIR IN THE FRONT TIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181947 · 2007-02-08 (February 8, 2007)
THE REFLECTIVE HOUSING IN THE HEADLIGHTS DEGRADE WITHIN A YEAR MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. BUELL DOES NOT SELL THE HOUSING SEPARATELY AND REQUIRES THAT YOU PURCHASE THE ENTIRE LOW BEAM ASSEMBLY. THE PARTS ARE THE SAME IN BOTH MODELS (XB9R AND XB12R) FOR EVERY YEAR FIREBOLT (2003 TO PRESENT). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10181947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182841 · 2007-02-17 (February 17, 2007)
LIGHTING FROM HEADLIGHTS GO DIMMER AND DIMMER AFTER A FEW MONTHS. INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY THEY USED ONLY CHROME PAINT FOR REFLECTING LIGHT OUT OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME THE PART WEARS OUT BECAUSE OF HEAT FROM THE LIGHT. SO THERE IS NO MORE REFLECTING OF LIGHT OUT OF THE ASSEMBLY. THIS IN TURNS MAKES THE HEADLIGHTS GO DIMMER AND DIMMER OVER TIME.. CAN'T SEE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF NOT ENOUGH LIGHTING.. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182883 · 2007-02-18 (February 18, 2007)
REFLECTIVE COATING IN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES DETERIORATE WITH THE EXCESSIVE HEAT AND CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY AND ILLUMINATION. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182883 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V270000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 2002-10-03 (October 3, 2002)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE SIDE STAND LEGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BEND OR BREAK.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO FALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE STAND. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-342-4680.
NHTSA campaign record ↗