RoadVitals

2000 Buell X1 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.
5
Latest Nov 7, 2008
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.
2
Latest Oct 30, 2003
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Buell X1 Lightning, most frequently naming the suspension category. 2 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

  • Suspension5100.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
03V427000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Oct 30, 2003
2,830 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED EXCLUSIVELY WITH A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE IDLE CONTROL CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CABLE GUIDE DUE TO IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.
The risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR'S HAND IS REMOVED FROM THE TWIST GRIP, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THROTTLE CABLE CLAMP, WHICH SERVES TO ENSURE RETENTION OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES IN THE CABLE GUIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.Manufacturer number 0827View on NHTSA.gov
00V163000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Jun 16, 2000
6,219 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER CAN BREAK, DRAGGING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE GROUND.
The risk: THIS COULD AFFECT THE HANDLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP) WHICH PROTECTS THE STRUCTUAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IF AN OWNER CHOSES, THEY CAN HAVE IT INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE THROUGH THE DEALER NETWORK.
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 Nov 7, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V163000 (SUSPENSION:REAR), WHICH STATED THAT THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP). THE PACKAGE IS INTENDED TO PROTECT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE SHOCK REINFORCE PACKAGE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT INSTALL THE SECOND HALF OF THE RECALL, WHICH STATED THAT A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER WAS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IT CAN BE INSTALLED FOR FREE THROUGH THE DEALER NETWORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL SYSTEM INDICATED THAT HIS RECALL WAS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF; THEREFORE, THE DEALER WILL NOT COMPLETE THE SECOND PORTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ID
10247970
Incident
Oct 31, 2008
Mileage
9,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 29, 2004

I OWN A BUELL MOTORCYCLE YEAR 2000 MODEL X1 LIGHTNING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V163000. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE WAS INSTALLED. THE OLD DEFECTIVE SHOCK WAS LEFT ON THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A WARNING ON THE SHOCK THAT STATES THAT THIS SHOCK STILL HAS DEFECTS AND THAT IT COULD COLLAPSE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. IT STATES IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V163000 UNDER REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP) WHICH PROTECTS THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IF AN OWNER CHOOSES, THEY CAN HAVE IT INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE THROUGH THE DEALER NETWORK. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS INSTALLING A NEW UPGRADED SHOCK THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME ABOUT THIS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THEM ON THE PHONE AND THEY WILL NOT UPDATE THIS SHOCK ACCORDING TO THE REMEDY ON THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE THE NEW UPDATED SHOCK SO THAT I DON'T HAVE A FUTURE ACCIDENT WITH THE DEFECTIVE SHOCK THAT IS STILL ON THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS UPDATED THIS SHOCK FOR OTHER BEULL OWNERS AS IT IS STATED IN THE REMEDY PORTION OF THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA REMEDY BUELL HAS NOT SATISFIED THE REMEDY FOR MY MOTORCYCLE, AS I HAVE CHOSEN TO HAVE THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER INSTALLED FROM THE DEALER AT NO CHARGE. THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COMPLETE THE REMEDY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10093317
Incident
Sep 28, 2004
Suspension
Filed Mar 28, 2002

THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER IS LEAKING OIL VERY HEAVILY. FOUND RECALL NUMBER 10808 00 V 163 000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA ID
8006618
Suspension
Filed Aug 30, 2000

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V163000, BUT DEALER DOESN'T HAVE PARTS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
554239
Incident
Jul 24, 2000
Suspension
Filed Aug 7, 2000

RECALL 00V163 000/REAR SHOCK ABSORBER: DEALER UNABLE TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. RECALL NOTICE STATED AT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE 24 JULY 2000. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE . CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
867085
Incident
Jul 31, 2000

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buell X1 Lightning by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000Viewing521—
1999271—

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.