1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 7campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt. The part named most often is suspension, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and other or unknown (3). NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the shock absorber filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension4 40%
- Brakes3 30%
- Other or unknown3 30%
- Engine cooling2 20%
- Fuel system2 20%
Example complaints
Suspension: “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 they are unable to repair them because they had no parts.”
NHTSA complaint #866131, filed 2000-07Brakes: “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 collision.”
NHTSA complaint #705132, filed 1999-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V104000May 6, 1999Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › MountingCovers: Buell S3 Thunderbolt 1997–1999, S1 Lightning 1996–1998, M2 Cyclone 1997–1999 +4 more
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.
- 99V105000May 6, 1999Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Buell S3 Thunderbolt 1997–1999, S1 Lightning 1996–1998, M2 Cyclone 1997–1999 +5 more
Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a fuel tank vent valve assembly that could become plugged.
- 99V106000May 6, 1999Suspension › RearCovers: Buell S3 Thunderbolt 1997–1998, S1 Lightning 1996–1998, S2 Thunderbolt 1995–1996 +4 more
Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break.
- 99V107000May 6, 1999Suspension › Rear › Shock absorberCovers: Buell S3 Thunderbolt 1997–1998, S1 Lightning 1996–1998, S2 Thunderbolt 1995–1996 +4 more
Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a rear shock absorber front eye that could break.
- 99V097000Apr 29, 1999Unknown or otherCovers: Buell S3 Thunderbolt 1997–1999, S1 Lightning 1996–1998, M2 Cyclone 1997–1999 +3 more
Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a sidestand switch that could become inoperative
- 99V086000Apr 26, 1999Suspension › FrontCovers: Buell S3 Thunderbolt 1997–1998, S1 Lightning 1997–1998, M2 Cyclone 1997–1998 +2 more
Vehicle description: motorcycles. The front isolator mount system can lose clamp load and possibly break.
See all 7 recalls for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt.
Other model years of the Buell S3 Thunderbolt
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 10 | — | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Buell S3 Thunderbolt model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt been recalled?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.