RoadVitals

1999 Buell S3

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.
3
Latest Feb 2, 2004
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 Aug 25, 1998
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Buell S3, most frequently naming the suspension, body & structure and brakes 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

  • Suspension240.0%
  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

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

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

SUSPENSION:REAR

Aug 25, 1998
136 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE SWING ARM ON THESE MOTORCYCLES WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSION TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING, LEADING TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
The remedy: DELAERS WILL REPLACE THE SWING ARM.
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

Suspension
Filed Feb 2, 2004

THE CYCLE HAS CRACKED SHOCK ABSORBERS ON THE REAR SUSPENSIONS THAT ARE ON RECALL. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CLAIMED THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT THE CONSUMER'S CYCLE. A DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE CYCLE WERE IN FACT THE RECALLED EQUIPMENT. RECALL NO. #98V199000,BUELL/SWING ARM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10057341
Incident
Jan 6, 2004
Mileage
33,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 11, 2003

THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE TO THE FRAME. THE ENGINE IS A CRITICAL STRUCTURAL MEMBER OF THE FRAME. ONE OF THE BOLTS WAS LOOSE, THE OTHER WAS BROKEN. HAD THE OTHER BROKE I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE CRASHED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10021422
Incident
May 27, 2003
Mileage
25,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemSuspension
Filed Mar 9, 2001

RECALL 98 V 199 000/SWING ARM : ALSO OTHER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED ON A FUEL TANK, KICK STAND SWITCH, AND A BRAKE LINE. NONE OF RECALLS HAVE BEEN HONORED SINCE ABOVE INCIDENT DATE. DEALER: SON HARLEY DAVIDSON, DENVER,CO; PHONE# 303/287-7566, STILL UNABLE TO HONOR RECALL. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
882655
Incident
Jun 15, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buell S3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999Viewing311
1998111
1997111

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.