The 1998 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 electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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 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 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 SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
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. 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. 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.
“The rubber on the foot peg turns while driver's foot is resting on the peg. The rubber around the foot peg is also coming off the peg. The dealer is aware of the problem. The problem has not been corrected. *ak”
“Dealer notified of eight manufacturer's recall notices received. As of now none of the recall repairs wwere made. Dealer informed that they are waiting on all the parts before repairs can be made. *ak”
“Dealer notified of eight manufacturer's recall notices received. As of now none of the recall repairs wwere made. Dealer informed that they are waiting on all the parts before repairs can be made. *ak”
“Dealer notified of eight manufacturer's recall notices received. As of now none of the recall repairs wwere made. Dealer informed that they are waiting on all the parts before repairs can be made. *ak”
“Dealer notified of eight manufacturer's recall notices received. As of now none of the recall repairs wwere made. Dealer informed that they are waiting on all the parts before repairs can be made. *ak”
“Dealer notified of eight manufacturer's recall notices received. As of now none of the recall repairs wwere made. Dealer informed that they are waiting on all the parts before repairs can be made. *ak”
“Received eight manufacturer's recall notices. Dealer notified and no repairs done. Dealer informed that they are waiting on all parts before repairs can be made. Waiting since 25 of may 1999. As of december 30, 1999 parts still not available. *ak”
“Received eight manufacturer's recall notices. Dealer notified and no repairs done. Dealer informed that they are waiting on all parts before repairs can be made. Waiting since 25 of may 1999. As of december 30, 1999 parts still not 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 1998 Buell S1 Lightning as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.