IllustrationA DESIGN FLAW CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKE TO COMPLETELY LOCK UP DUE TO EXCESSIVELY LOOSE FLOATING FRONT BRAKE ROTOR THAT WAS GRINDING AGAINST THE BRAKE CALIPER. NLM
1996 Buell S1 Lightning
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S1 Lightning years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reportsRECEIVED RECALL NOTICES 99V095000/99V097000/99V104000/ 99V105000/99V106000, AND 99V107000 IN THE MAIL. HAD CONTACTED A MOTORCYLE DEALERSHIP. WAS INFORMED HAD NO PARTS FOR MOTORCYCLE. DO NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. OWNER UPSET*AK.
THE NEGATIVE BATTERY LEAD FOR THE S1 MODELS IS TOO SHORT. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SLACK TO ALLOW FOR MOVEMENT DUE TO VIBRATION. THE EFFECTS OF THE LEAD BREAKING IS TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO SHUT DOWN AND LIGHTS TO GO OFF.
Official recalls
699V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
May 6, 1999
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 & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
99V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
Consequence & remedy
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.
99V106000 · Suspension:rear
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
99V107000 · Suspension:rear:shock Absorber
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
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.
99V095000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
Apr 29, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. MOTION OF THE BATTERY CABLE CAN LEAD TO BREAKAGE OF ITS TERMINAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.
99V097000 · Unknown Or Other
Apr 29, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE03043 · Throttle Fails To Return To Idle
Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Oct 30, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
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.