23V2570001190 RX Hammerhead, 1190 Sx
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONBuell Motorcycles (Buell) is recalling certain 2021-2022 1190 RX and SX motorcycles. The index spring may be installed improperly.
Buell Recalls, Complaints & Safety Data
NHTSA safety recalls, owner-reported complaints and investigations, by model and model year · 1995–2022
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received. This total counts a complaint once for each Buell model year it names.
260
Safety recallsDistinct NHTSA recall campaigns covering at least one Buell model year. One campaign can cover several models and many model years; it is counted once here.
42
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Models coveredModels with at least one model year that has enough NHTSA data to publish.
39
18 model years
Overview
Our database holds 260 NHTSA owner-reported complaints filed against Buell vehicles. Our database also holds 42 safety recall campaigns and 3 NHTSA investigations covering at least one Buell model year.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Buell models
Ordered by total owner-reported complaint volume, which is not a ranking of quality
| Model | Model years | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1125R | 2008–2010 | 45 | 2 |
| 1125CR | 2009–2010 | 44 | 1 |
| Firebolt XB9R | 2003 | 18 | 1 |
| XB12R | 2004–2009 | 18 | 2 |
| S1 Lightning | 1996–1998 | 13 | 8 |
| S3 Thunderbolt | 1997–2000 | 13 | 11 |
| XB12X | 2006–2010 | 13 | 4 |
| M2 Cyclone | 1997–2000 | 10 | 10 |
| XB12S | 2004–2005 | 10 | 2 |
| X1 Lightning | 1999–2000 | 7 | 8 |
| M2 | 1997–2002 | 6 | 3 |
| Blast | 2004–2009 | 5 | 2 |
| S3 | 1997–1999 | 5 | 2 |
| Thunderbolt | 1995–1998 | 5 | 0 |
| XB12XT | 2008–2010 | 5 | 2 |
| S1 White Lightning | 1997–1998 | 4 | 6 |
| S2 Thunderbolt | 1995–1996 | 4 | 8 |
| X1 | 1999–2002 | 4 | 2 |
| 1125 | 2009 | 3 | 0 |
| Blast P3 | 2000–2001 | 3 | 1 |
| Buell | 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| Cyclone | 1997–2000 | 3 | 1 |
| S1 | 1996–1998 | 3 | 1 |
| S3T | 1997–2002 | 3 | 2 |
| S1W | 1998 | 2 | 1 |
| S1W White Lightning | 1998–1999 | 2 | 1 |
| S2 | 1995–1996 | 2 | 1 |
| XB9SX | 2005 | 2 | 1 |
| Lightning Low | 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| S2T | 1995–1996 | 1 | 5 |
| XB12SCG | 2009 | 1 | 1 |
| XB12SS | 2009 | 1 | 1 |
| XB9S | 2004 | 1 | 1 |
| 1190 RX Hammerhead | 2021–2022 | 0 | 1 |
| 1190 Sx | 2021–2022 | 0 | 1 |
| M2L | 2002 | 0 | 1 |
| S3T Thunderbolt | 1997–2000 | 0 | 9 |
| XB12XP | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| XB9SL | 2003–2004 | 0 | 2 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Complaint totals count a report once for each model year it names; recall totals count a campaign once per model.
Recently issued recalls
The 8 newest campaigns covering a Buell vehicle in our database
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov09V465000XB12X, XB12XT
EQUIPMENTBUELL IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XB12X AND XB12XT MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 20 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. THE RIGHT HAND SIDE FOOTPEG MOUNT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
09V347000XB12SS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICBUELL IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009 XB12SS MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE MAY CONTACT THE FRONT TIRE. THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE A HOLE TO DEVELOP IN THE FRONT BRAKE LINE, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
09V1090003 Buell models
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICBUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY IS RECALLING 3,316 MY 2008 1125R, MY 2009 XB12R AND XB12SCG MOTORCYCLES. THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES HAVE A FRONT BRAKE LINE WHICH MAY CONTACT THE FRONT TIRE. THE CONDITION COULD CAUSE A HOLE TO DEVELOP IN THE FRONT BRAKE LINE, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.
08V5540001125CR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGBUELL IS RECALLING 140 MY 2009 1125CR MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES CAN EXPERIENCE A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE REAR CYLINDER CAM CHAIN TENSION GUIDE (PART NUMBER F0020.1AM). THIS CAN CAUSE PLASTIC DEBRIS TO BLOCK THE OIL PUMP SCREEN, POSSIBLY LEADING TO OIL STARVATION AND ENGINE SEIZURE.
08V538000XB12XP, XB12XT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELDBUELL IS RECALLING 624 MY 2008-2009 XB12XT AND MY 2009 XB12XP MOTORCYCLES. THE WINDSHIELDS MAY BECOME DISLODGED AND ALLOW THE WINDSHIELD TO EITHER STRIKE OR DISTRACT THE RIDER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING RIDDEN AT A HIGH SPEED.
08V439000Blast
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLYBUELL IS RECALLING 1,307 MY 2007-2008 BLAST MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL TANK MAY EXPERIENCE SOME LOCAL DEFORMATION UNDER HIGH-HEAT CONDITIONS THAT CREATES CONTACT OF THE TANK WITH THE CYLINDER HEAD. IN SOME OF THESE CASES, THE CYLINDER HEAD RUBBING ON THE FUEL TANK HAS CREATED A FUEL LEAK.
08V2670001125R
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLYBUELL IS RECALLING 1,579 MY 2008 1125R MOTORCYCLES. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE 5TH GEAR GALLING ON THE CLUTCH SHAFT DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. THIS CONDITION CAN ALLOW THE GEAR TO SEIZE TO THE SHAFT, RESULTING IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP.
Browse by model year
Every year with at least one publishable Buell model year
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications
Data on this page last refreshed .