Buell S1 Lightning Problems by Year
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file for the Buell S1 Lightning, across 3 model years (1996–1998). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (7). The most reported problem area overall is suspension.
Buell S1 Lightning years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No S1 Lightning model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 S1 Lightning: 7 complaints, 8 recalls
- 1998 S1 Lightning: 3 complaints, 8 recalls
- 1996 S1 Lightning: 3 complaints, 6 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Buell S1 Lightning problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Buell S1 Lightning model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 S1 Lightning | 3 | 8 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1997 S1 Lightning | 7 | 8 | — | Suspension | |
| 1996 S1 Lightning | 3 | 6 | — | Electrical System |
More from Buell: all Buell models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Buell S1 Lightning years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1997 (7), 1998 (3), 1996 (3). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Buell S1 Lightning?
Suspension, with 9 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the Buell S1 Lightning have?
8 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.