RoadVitals

1997 Buell S1 Lightning

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
7
Latest Jun 21, 2000
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest May 6, 1999
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.
1
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

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning, most frequently naming the suspension, electrical and engine categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension770.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%

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

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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.gov
99V104000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

May 6, 1999
10,556 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.View on NHTSA.gov
99V107000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

May 6, 1999
8,950 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
The risk: IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.View on NHTSA.gov
99V106000

SUSPENSION:REAR

May 6, 1999
8,950 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
The risk: IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE03043ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE

Opened Sep 23, 2003
Closed Oct 30, 2003

TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUELL IS RECALLING THOSE FUEL-INJECTED MOTORCYCLES THAT IT BUILT WITHOUT A THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL CLAMP.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE REFER TO THE MEMORANDUM ENTITLED THE SCOPE OF BUELL'S SAFETY RECALL, 03V-427 COPY ATTACHED.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLESLed to recall 03V427000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jun 21, 2000

WAS UNABLE TO GET SIX MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICES HONORED BY DEALER BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
863997
Incident
Jun 22, 1999
Suspension
Filed Apr 20, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0810/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
860678
Suspension
Filed Apr 20, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V086000 AND MFR RECALL 0810./ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
860674
Suspension
Filed Apr 20, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V095000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0811/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
860672
Suspension
Filed Apr 20, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V097000 AND MFR RECALL 0813/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
860668
Suspension
Filed Apr 20, 2000

NHTSA RECALL 99V105000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0815/ SUSPENSION: MOTORCYCLE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
860660
Suspension
Filed Oct 13, 1999

RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REGARDING SWING ARM AND PIVOT SHAFT FAILURE. HAS BEEN TRYING SINCE ABOVE DATE TO GET DEALER TO HONOR RECALL. NEEDS NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
850655
Incident
May 18, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buell S1 Lightning by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998381—
1997Viewing781—
1996361—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.