1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
2
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT
The 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT has received a total of 2 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. The most commonly reported problem area is the Engine (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT, potentially affecting up to 39,713 vehicles.
Recall 03V427000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
| 2,830 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 00V037000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 839 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 00V038000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 2,912 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 99V097000 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
| 10,255 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 99V105000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 12,321 vehicles 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.
View full details →Recall 99V104000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
| 10,556 vehicles 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 INVESTIGATED, I FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY SHAFT HAD FRACTURED AT THE FIRST SCREW HOLE, LEAVING THE BUTTERFLY FREE TO GO WIDE OPEN. LOOKING AT THE BUELL ENTHUSIAST'S WEBSITE "BADWEATHER BIKERS", I FIND THAT THROTTLE SHAFT BREAKAGE IS NOT UNCOMMON IN FUEL-INJECTED 1999 - 2007 BUELLS. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AS I DID. *TR
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 INVESTIGATED, I FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY SHAFT HAD FRACTURED AT THE FIRST SCREW HOLE, LEAVING THE BUTTERFLY FREE TO GO WIDE OPEN. LOOKING AT THE BUELL ENTHUSIAST'S WEBSITE "BADWEATHER BIKERS", I FIND THAT THROTTLE SHAFT BREAKAGE IS NOT UNCOMMON IN FUEL-INJECTED 1999 - 2007 BUELLS. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AS I DID. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT
- 1997 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT — 3 complaints
- 1998 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT — 15 complaints
- 1999 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT (current)
- 2000 BUELL S3 THUNDERBOLT — 0 complaints
Other BUELL Models
- BUELL 1125CR — 64 total complaints
- BUELL 1125R — 61 total complaints
- BUELL S1 LIGHTNING — 25 total complaints
- BUELL FIREBOLT XB9R — 24 total complaints
- BUELL XB12R — 21 total complaints
- BUELL XB12X — 19 total complaints
- BUELL S3 — 16 total complaints
- BUELL XB12S — 13 total complaints