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1998 Buell S1W White Lightning

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
1Owner complaints

Model-year median: 1

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
19981
1999
Compare all S1W White Lightning years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Structure
1
All reported categories
Suspension
1

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 1 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 →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. 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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

CONSUMER RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S . RECALLS FROM 18 MAY 99 THROUGH 20TH JULY 99, AND DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED ANY OF THEM BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE: 1. 808 TURN SIGNAL, 2. 810 FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT 3. 811 NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE 4. 813 SIDE STAND SWITCH 5. 814 FUEL TANK MOUNT 6. 815 FUEL TANK VENT 7. 816 SWING ARM AND…

Read full complaint

CONSUMER RECEIVED EIGHT MANUFACTURER'S . RECALLS FROM 18 MAY 99 THROUGH 20TH JULY 99, AND DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED ANY OF THEM BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE: 1. 808 TURN SIGNAL, 2. 810 FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT 3. 811 NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE 4. 813 SIDE STAND SWITCH 5. 814 FUEL TANK MOUNT 6. 815 FUEL TANK VENT 7. 816 SWING ARM AND 8. 817 SHOCK ABSORBER.... CAN NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. AK

NHTSA ODI #844369

Official recalls

1

97V153000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Sep 12, 1997

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 & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.

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

1

PE03043 · 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.