1998 Buell S1W White Lightning Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Buell S1W White 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .