No summary
The worst 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Suspension4
- Brakes3
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension4
- Brakes3
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Transmission1
Recalls 7
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This could result in an explosion or fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank mount system.
Recall number 99V104000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a fuel tank vent valve assembly that could become plugged.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 99V105000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break.
- Risk
- If the swingarm should break, loss of vehicle control could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the swingarm.
Recall number 99V106000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: shock absorber
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a rear shock absorber front eye that could break.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 99V107000 · Recall details
Unknown or other
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a sidestand switch that could become inoperative
- Risk
- This condition can cause the engine to stall/quit when riding.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the sidestand switch.
Recall number 99V097000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. The front isolator mount system can lose clamp load and possibly break.
- Risk
- This could lead to an unintended distraction to the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front isolator mount system.
Recall number 99V086000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This condition can prevent the front wheel from rotating increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair these motorcycles.
Recall number 97V153000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt
Defect investigations
Throttle fails to return to idle
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.
PE03043
What 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
the federal safety agency RECALL 97V153000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0807. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.
The federal safety agency recall 99v086000 and mfr recall 0810 concerning motorcycle rear swing arm pivot shaft. No parts available.
The federal safety agency recall990v097000 and manufacturer's recall 0813 concerning motorcycle's kickstand. No parts available.
the federal safety agency RECALL NO99V104000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO0814. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.
The federal safety agency recall 99v105000 and manufacturer's recall no:0815 concerning fuel emission control vent valve. No parts available.
The federal safety agency recall 99v106000 and manufacturer's recall 0816 concerning motorcycly rear swing arm pivot shaft. No parts were available.
The federal safety agency recall no:99v107000 and manufacturer's recall no:0817 concerning rear shock absorbers. No parts were available. 1st attempt 10-jul-99, 2nd attempt 15-oct-99, and 3rd attempt 8-feb2000.
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.
Compare the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt
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Questions about the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt
Is the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt reliable?
Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt, 5.0 times a typical S3 Thunderbolt model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt?
Suspension, with 4 complaints. Next is brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt have?
7 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, suspension and unknown or other.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt suspension?
Yes, 3 recalls: 99V106000, 99V107000, 99V086000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
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