RecallRepo

1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 39,713 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 03V427000 2003-10-30 2,830 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED EXCLUSIVELY WITH A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE IDLE CONTROL CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CABLE GUIDE DUE TO IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.

Consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR'S HAND IS REMOVED FROM THE TWIST GRIP, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THROTTLE CABLE CLAMP, WHICH SERVES TO ENSURE RETENTION OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES IN THE CABLE GUIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 00V038000 2000-02-14 2,912 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL FILTER CAN LEAK.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 00V037000 2000-02-14 839 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN CAUSE IT TO BECOME DAMAGED AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence

A LOSS OF REAR WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITIES COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINE.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 99V105000 1999-05-06 12,321 affected
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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 99V104000 1999-05-06 10,556 affected
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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 99V097000 1999-04-29 10,255 affected
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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE
1
1crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints2

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“I experienced unintended acceleration. Leaving a stop, the engine went to wide open throttle. The bike wheelied, I fell off at about 35 mph. The engine throttle stayed wide open until the bank angle sensor shut it down. I injured my left shoulder and elbow. When I got the buell home and…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2015-01-21

“I experienced unintended acceleration. Leaving a stop, the engine went to wide open throttle. The bike wheelied, I fell off at about 35 mph. The engine throttle stayed wide open until the bank angle sensor shut it down. I injured my left shoulder and elbow. When I got the buell home and…”

ENGINE · reported 2015-01-21

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 1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.