Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence
IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 59,060 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
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.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence
IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Consequence
THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.
Defect
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:REAR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
Total complaints15
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Recalls 99 v 107 000/rear shock absorber, 99 v 106 000/swingarm, 99 v 105 000/fuel tank vent valve assembly, 99 v 104 000/fuel tank mounting, 99 v 086 000/sidestand switch and 97 v 153 000/front brake rotor: dealer notified the consumer that the motorcycle have several manufacturer's recalls, and…”
“Recalls 99 v 107 000/rear shock absorber, 99 v 106 000/swingarm, 99 v 105 000/fuel tank vent valve assembly, 99 v 104 000/fuel tank mounting, 99 v 086 000/sidestand switch and 97 v 153 000/front brake rotor: dealer notified the consumer that the motorcycle have several manufacturer's recalls, and…”
“Recalls 99 v 107 000/rear shock absorber, 99 v 106 000/swingarm, 99 v 105 000/fuel tank vent valve assembly, 99 v 104 000/fuel tank mounting, 99 v 086 000/sidestand switch and 97 v 153 000/front brake rotor: dealer notified the consumer that the motorcycle have several manufacturer's recalls, and…”
“Recalls 99 v 107 000/rear shock absorber, 99 v 106 000/swingarm, 99 v 105 000/fuel tank vent valve assembly, 99 v 104 000/fuel tank mounting, 99 v 086 000/sidestand switch and 97 v 153 000/front brake rotor: dealer notified the consumer that the motorcycle have several manufacturer's recalls, and…”
“Recalls 99 v 107 000/rear shock absorber, 99 v 106 000/swingarm, 99 v 105 000/fuel tank vent valve assembly, 99 v 104 000/fuel tank mounting, 99 v 086 000/sidestand switch and 97 v 153 000/front brake rotor: dealer notified the consumer that the motorcycle have several manufacturer's recalls, and…”
“The failure of the front sprocket could have caused a rear wheel lock up, this in turn could have cuased a collision, injury, or fatality the rear brakes/ and taillights burned out quickly after about 2500 miles. This caused driver to have no indication of braking wich could cause a rear end…”
“The failure of the front sprocket could have caused a rear wheel lock up, this in turn could have cuased a collision, injury, or fatality the rear brakes/ and taillights burned out quickly after about 2500 miles. This caused driver to have no indication of braking wich could cause a rear end…”
“Nhtsa recall no:99v107000 and manufacturer's recall no:0817 concerning rear shock absorbers. No parts were available. 1st attempt 10-jul-99, 2nd attempt 15-oct-99, and 3rd attempt 8-feb2000. *ak”
Defect investigations
Investigation PE03043 Opened 2003-09-23 · closed 2003-10-30
THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE
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.
Sources & methodology
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 S3 Thunderbolt as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.