Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension4
- Unknown or other3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
8 Transport Canada recalls for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt.
| 1999188 22 Oct 1999 | Fuel System On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank valve assembly could become plugged. Under certain conditions this could cause the carburetor to overflow fuel which coul… |
| 1999183 22 Oct 1999 | Structure Certain motorcycles were built with an isolator mount system that could lose clamp load. Should this condition occur, it may allow the engine to move unexpected… |
| 1999187 22 Oct 1999 | Structure On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank mount system could, in the event of a collision, allow the fuel tank to become separated. Fuel tank separation could resul… |
| 1999186 22 Oct 1999 | Electrical On certain motorcycles, the side stand switch could become inoperative. This condition could cause the engine to stall or quit when riding which could result i… |
| 1999190 22 Oct 1999 | Suspension On certain motorcycles, the rear shock absorber eye could break. If the shock absorber eye should break, the underside of the vehicle will drag on the ground, … |
| 1999189 22 Oct 1999 | Suspension Certain motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break. If this should occur, vehicle handling could be adversely affected which could lead to a vehic… |
| 1998057 27 Mar 1998 | Lights And Instruments Certain motorcyles do not comply with CMVSS 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. Failure of one or more turn signal lamps would not be indicated t… |
| 1997213 27 Nov 1997 | Brakes On certain motorcycles, the drive pin(s) used on the front brake rotor could move out of position and come in contact with the front brake caliper. This conditi… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
NHTSA investigations
THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation