Buell S3 THUNDERBOLT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
38,292 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2000 model years. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Suspension:Rear is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
Suspension:Rear: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1999: 2; 2000: 9; 2004: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Rear leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 705132 · 1999-03-31 (March 31, 1999)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 705132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 866131 · 2000-07-27 (July 27, 2000)
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.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 866131 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 2000 | 2 |
1997: 7; 1998: 7; 1999: 6; 2000: 2
Year-by-year records
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 330.0%ODI 856536NHTSA RECALL 99V106000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 0816 CONCERNING MOTORCYCLY REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 330.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 220.0%ODI 856618NHTSA RECALL 99V105000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO:0815 CONCERNING FUEL EMISSION CONTROL VENT VALVE. NO PARTS AVAILABLE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10693161 · 56,483 miI 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 … | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 150.0%ODI 10079034 · 20,100 miTRAVELING COUNTRY ROAD AT ~60 MPH, WHILE ROUNDING CORNER. MOTORCYCLE STARTED VIBRATING HEAVILY. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. BUELL STATED THAT PROPER WARRANTY REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE FOR PREVIOUS OWNER, BUT THAT THEY WOULD GOODWILL THE MOTORMOUNT WHICH HAD FAILED. BUT WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LABOR COSTS NOR FOR THE DAMAGED FRONT CYLINDER HEAD THAT IS BOLTED TO THE MOTOR MOUNT.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 856622NHTSA RECALL NO99V104000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NO0814. NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 110.0%ODI 705132THE 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. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Too few reports for a range | 56,483 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10693161 · 56,483 miI 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 … |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Too few reports for a range | 20,100 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10079034 · 20,100 miTRAVELING COUNTRY ROAD AT ~60 MPH, WHILE ROUNDING CORNER. MOTORCYCLE STARTED VIBRATING HEAVILY. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. BUELL STATED THAT PROPER WARRANTY REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE FOR PREVIOUS OWNER, BUT THAT THEY WOULD GOODWILL THE MOTORMOUNT WHICH HAD FAILED. BUT WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LABOR COSTS NOR FOR THE DAMAGED FRONT CYLINDER HEAD THAT IS BOLTED TO THE MOTOR MOUNT.*AK |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1999: 0 complaints · 2000: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Suspension:Rear | Unknown Or Other | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear | — | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | — | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 1ODI 866131RECALLS 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.*AK | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.