Buell S2 THUNDERBOLT problems & recalls
NHTSA records for 1995–1996: 8 recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints. Pick a model year.
By year
What owners complain about (all years)
Recent recalls
Fuel System, Gasoline #99V105000 · 1999 · 12,321 units
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank vent valve assembly.
Suspension #99V107000 · 1999 · 8,950 units
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber.
Fuel System, Gasoline #99V104000 · 1999 · 10,556 units
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank mount system.
Suspension #99V106000 · 1999 · 8,950 units
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the swingarm.
Unknown Or Other #95V153000 · 1995 · 970 units
Problem: The fairing mount assembly bracket can crack and detach from the frame.
Risk: If the bracket fails, the fairing could contact the front fender causing the operator to lose control of the motorcycle increasingthe potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the motorcycles and install an instrument panel stabilizer. some motorcycles may already have the stabilizer installed.
Fuel System, Gasoline #95V116000 · 1995 · 1,226 units
Problem: Fuel seepage can occur at the mold parting line or at the area where the petcock attaches to the fuel tank.
Risk: Fuel leaks could result in a fire if an ignition source is present.
Fix: Dealers will remove and replace the fuel tanks on the involved motorcycles.
Wheels #95V083000 · 1995 · 651 units
Problem: Motorcycles do not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for vehicles other than passenger cars." the rims do not contain the required designation information.
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: possibility of overloading and underinflating which could cause tire failures increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Owners will receive permanent, adhesive, weather-resistant rim labels with the correct designations. owners can place the correct labels on themselves or take their motorcycles to an authorized dealer and have the dealer install the labels free of charge for them.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic #94V240000 · 1994 · 443 units
Problem: Front brake line assembly can crack at either of the fittings, allowing brake fluid leakage.
Risk: This can result in loss of brake system hydraulicpressure and increased braking distance.
Fix: Dealers will repair the brake line assembly.
Want the full repair deets? Get the service manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the S2 THUNDERBOLT.
Motorcycle-specific service manuals with step-by-step procedures (Clymer is part of Haynes).
Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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