1998 Buell S3 THUNDERBOLT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 729266 · 2000-08-27 (August 27, 2000)
NO SUMMARY
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856531 · 2000-02-08 (February 8, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL NO:99V107000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO:0817 CONCERNING REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. 1ST ATTEMPT 10-JUL-99, 2ND ATTEMPT 15-OCT-99, AND 3RD ATTEMPT 8-FEB2000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856536 · 2000-02-08 (February 8, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V106000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0816 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLY REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856618 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V105000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO:0815 CONCERNING FUEL EMISSION CONTROL VENT VALVE. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856622 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL NO99V104000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO0814. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856629 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL990V097000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0813 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE'S KICKSTAND. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856631 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MFR RECALL 0810 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLE REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856638 · 2000-02-09 (February 9, 2000)
NHTSA RECALL 97V153000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0807. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856638 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V153000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 1997-09-12 (September 12, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE E-CLIP WHICH RETAINS THE DRIVE PIN ON THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR AND CARRIER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE DRIVE PIN ALLOWING THE PIN TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION AND COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V086000 · Suspension:Front
Reported: 1999-04-26 (April 26, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V097000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 1999-04-29 (April 29, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM THAT COULD, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
Consequence: 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 COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE OR STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V106000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V107000 · Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
Reported: 1999-05-06 (May 6, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence: IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗