The 1997 Buell S1 Lightning has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 62,938 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
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.
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
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.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. MOTION OF THE BATTERY CABLE CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF ITS TERMINAL.
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE E-CLIP WHICH RETAINS THE DRIVE PIN ON THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR AND CARRIER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE DRIVE PIN ALLOWING THE PIN TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION AND COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER.
THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Was unable to get six manufacturer's recall notices honored by dealer because no parts were available. Feel free to provide further details. *ak”
“Was unable to get six manufacturer's recall notices honored by dealer because no parts were available. Feel free to provide further details. *ak”
“Was unable to get six manufacturer's recall notices honored by dealer because no parts were available. Feel free to provide further details. *ak”
“Was unable to get six manufacturer's recall notices honored by dealer because no parts were available. Feel free to provide further details. *ak”
“Was unable to get six manufacturer's recall notices honored by dealer because no parts were available. Feel free to provide further details. *ak”
“Received manufacturer's recall regarding swing arm and pivot shaft failure. Has been trying since above date to get dealer to honor recall. Needs nhtsa help in this matter. *ak”
“Nhtsa recall 99v105000 and manufacturer's recall 0815/ suspension: motorcycle. No parts were available. *ak”
“Nhtsa recall 99v097000 and mfr recall 0813/ suspension: motorcycle. No parts were available. *ak”
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.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Buell S1 Lightning as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.