The 1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 40,777 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. 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 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 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.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Recalls 99v107/99v106/99v105, and 99v10;, eastgate harley davidson 699 old state route 74, cinnannti oh 45245 [REDACTED], these recalls have not been modified. A defects still exists and may result in a crash. Manufacturer stated it would take a month to receive the parts. Please provide further…”
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 1996 Buell S2 Thunderbolt as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.