RoadVitals

1998 Buell S1W White 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.
1
Latest Aug 4, 1999
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.
1
Latest Sep 12, 1997
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1998 Buell S1W White Lightning, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Exterior lighting116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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
97V153000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Sep 12, 1997
2,820 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.
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

Body & structureElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Aug 4, 1999

CONSUMER RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S . RECALLS FROM 18 MAY 99 THROUGH 20TH JULY 99, AND DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED ANY OF THEM BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE: 1. 808 TURN SIGNAL, 2. 810 FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT 3. 811 NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE 4. 813 SIDE STAND SWITCH 5. 814 FUEL TANK MOUNT 6. 815 FUEL TANK VENT 7. 816 SWING ARM AND 8. 817 SHOCK ABSORBER.... CAN NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. AK

NHTSA ID
844369
Incident
May 18, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buell S1W White Lightning by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999101—
1998Viewing111—

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.