2000 Buell X1 LIGHTNING: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
9,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 3 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber: 3; Suspension:Rear: 2
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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10093317 · 2004-09-29 (September 29, 2004)
I OWN A BUELL MOTORCYCLE YEAR 2000 MODEL X1 LIGHTNING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V163000. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE WAS INSTALLED. THE OLD DEFECTIVE SHOCK WAS LEFT ON THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A WARNING ON THE SHOCK THAT STATES THAT THIS SHOCK STILL HAS DEFECTS AND THAT IT COULD COLLAPSE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. IT STATES IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V163000 UNDER REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10093317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10247970 · 2008-11-07 (November 7, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V163000 (SUSPENSION:REAR), WHICH STATED THAT THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP). THE PACKAGE IS INTENDED TO PROTECT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE SHOCK REINFORCE PACKAGE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT INSTALL THE SECOND HALF OF THE RECALL, WHICH STATED THAT A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER WAS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IT CAN BE INSTALLED FOR FREE THROUGH …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 554239 · 2000-08-30 (August 30, 2000)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V163000, BUT DEALER DOESN'T HAVE PARTS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 554239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8006618 · 2002-03-28 (March 28, 2002)
THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER IS LEAKING OIL VERY HEAVILY. FOUND RECALL NUMBER 10808 00 V 163 000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8006618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 867085 · 2000-08-07 (August 7, 2000)
RECALL 00V163 000/REAR SHOCK ABSORBER: DEALER UNABLE TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. RECALL NOTICE STATED AT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE 24 JULY 2000. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE . CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 867085 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V163000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2000-06-16 (June 16, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER CAN BREAK, DRAGGING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE GROUND.
Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT THE HANDLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP) WHICH PROTECTS THE STRUCTUAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IF AN OWNER CHOSES, THEY CAN HAVE IT INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE THROUGH THE DEALER NETWORK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V427000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cables
Reported: 2003-10-30 (October 30, 2003)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 360.0%ODI 10093317I OWN A BUELL MOTORCYCLE YEAR 2000 MODEL X1 LIGHTNING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V163000. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE WAS INSTALLED. THE OLD DEFECTIVE SHOCK WAS LEFT ON THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A WARNING ON THE SHOCK THAT STATES THAT THIS SHOCK STILL HAS DEFECTS AND THAT IT COULD COLLAPSE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION. IT STATES IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V163000 UNDER REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFO… |
| Suspension:Rear | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10247970 · 9,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V163000 (SUSPENSION:REAR), WHICH STATED THAT THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP). THE PACKAGE IS INTENDED TO PROTECT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE SHOCK REINFORCE PACKAGE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT INSTALL THE SECOND HALF OF THE RECALL, WHICH STATED THAT A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER WAS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IT CAN BE INSTALLED FOR FREE THROUGH … |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 150.0%ODI 714699SIDE STAND SWITCH WAS REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO ON A PREVIOUS RECALL BY MFG! | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 150.0%ODI 10133297 · 12,000 miDT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A BELT INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN, THE REAR BRAKE LINE SEVERED BECAUSE OF THE BELT. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO, THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND WHERE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSING COMPLETELY DOWN BUT NOT STOPPING AS WELL AS IT HAD BEFORE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE … | 00.0%No 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear | Too few reports for a range | 9,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10247970 · 9,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V163000 (SUSPENSION:REAR), WHICH STATED THAT THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP). THE PACKAGE IS INTENDED TO PROTECT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE DEALER INSTALLED THE SHOCK REINFORCE PACKAGE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT INSTALL THE SECOND HALF OF THE RECALL, WHICH STATED THAT A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER WAS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IT CAN BE INSTALLED FOR FREE THROUGH … |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 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 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (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: 1 complaints · 2000: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 4 | 1 | 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:Shock Absorber | Suspension:Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | — | 0 |
| Suspension:Rear | 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.