The 1998 Buell S1 White Lightning has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 56,240 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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 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 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.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Main belt drive broke while motorcycle was in motion..could have locked up the rear wheel causing an accident. *ak”
“While driving at 65 mph transmission went out. *ak”
“Recall 99v106000/swing arm, and 99v107 000/rear shock absorbers: both recalls received and reported to dealer, but still both recalls have not been honored. Dealer is still waiting for parts from manufacturer. Owner wishes for dealer to repurchase vehicle. *ml”
“Brake lever lightly touched as I was going into the the turn @ 25 mph, no brake control bike leaned instead of down, and I went into the ditch and fractured myn pelvis. There are 4 know accounts of the exact same incident, one was by a dealer mechanic of which I purchased the motorcycle from had…”
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 White Lightning as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.