RoadVitals

1996 Buell S1 Lightning Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
3
Latest Apr 12, 2000
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

A DESIGN FLAW CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKE TO COMPLETELY LOCK UP DUE TO EXCESSIVELY LOOSE FLOATING FRONT BRAKE ROTOR THAT WAS GRINDING AGAINST THE BRAKE CALIPER. NLM

NHTSA ID 551843 · filed Apr 12, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE NEGATIVE BATTERY LEAD FOR THE S1 MODELS IS TOO SHORT. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SLACK TO ALLOW FOR MOVEMENT DUE TO VIBRATION. THE EFFECTS OF THE LEAD BREAKING IS TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO SHUT DOWN AND LIGHTS TO GO OFF.

NHTSA ID 537522 · filed Jun 26, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES 99V095000/99V097000/99V104000/ 99V105000/99V106000, AND 99V107000 IN THE MAIL. HAD CONTACTED A MOTORCYLE DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED HAD NO PARTS FOR MOTORCYCLE. DO NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. OWNER UPSET*AK.

NHTSA ID 850286 · filed Oct 7, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .