Model year record

1999 BUELL S3 Thunderbolt

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V427000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Vehicles affected
2,830
Reported to NHTSA
2003-10-30
Owners notified
2003-11-20

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V037000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Vehicles affected
839
Reported to NHTSA
2000-02-14
Owners notified
2000-03-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN CAUSE IT TO BECOME DAMAGED AND LEAK FLUID.

Safety risk

A LOSS OF REAR WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITIES COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V038000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Vehicles affected
2,912
Reported to NHTSA
2000-02-14
Owners notified
2000-03-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL FILTER CAN LEAK.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V105000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Vehicles affected
12,321
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-06
Owners notified
1999-06-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.

Safety risk

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO PREVENT SUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE OR STALL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V104000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Vehicles affected
10,556
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-06
Owners notified
1999-06-04

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM THAT COULD, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V097000

Unknown or other

Component
Unknown or other
Manufacturer
BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Vehicles affected
10,255
Reported to NHTSA
1999-04-29
Owners notified
1999-06-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine156,483 mi
Vehicle speed control156,483 mi

The 1998 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.