no report yet
Tank assembly: mounting
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
1998 Buell S3 ThunderboltProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 27, 2000. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt has problems
10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Suspension
3Service brakes, hydraulic
2Engine and engine cooling
2Fuel system, gasoline
1Power train
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Suspension: rear
Risk. IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
no report yet
Rear: shock absorber
Risk. IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Unknown or other
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
no report yet
Suspension: front
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buell.
Best & worst years
1998 vs. every other S3 Thunderbolt year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S3 Thunderbolt median. How we score
'97'98'99'00
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt, and the recalls they led to.
- THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLELed to recall 03V-427
In owners' words
What S3 Thunderbolt owners report
Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
RECALLS 99 V 107 000/REAR SHOCK ABSORBER, 99 V 106 000/SWINGARM, 99 V 105 000/FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY, 99 V 104 000/FUEL TANK MOUNTING, 99 V 086 000/SIDESTAND SWITCH AND 97 V 153 000/FRONT BRAKE ROTOR: DEALER NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MOTORCYCLE HAVE SEVERAL MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS, AND…
NHTSA RECALL 99V106000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0816 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLY REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
NHTSA RECALL NO:99V107000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO:0817 CONCERNING REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. 1ST ATTEMPT 10-JUL-99, 2ND ATTEMPT 15-OCT-99, AND 3RD ATTEMPT 8-FEB2000. *AK
Own a 1998 S3 Thunderbolt?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.