1998 Buell S1W Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 30, 2003 · 2 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other S1W years
Not enough data
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Buell S1W. The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (1 complaints, 50%). There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 1998 Buell S1W problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Exterior Lighting1
Fuel System, Gasoline1 · ~10,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Exterior Lighting150%———
Fuel System, Gasoline150%10,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 1999, with 1 complaints
1999: 1199912003: 120031

n = 2 complaints · Source: NHTSA

1998 Buell S1W recalls (1)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Exterior lighting:turn signalFeb 23, 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V036000 · 4,724 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: motorcycles. Failure of one or more turn signal lamps would not be indicated to the operator of the vehicle (no noticeable change in the flashing rate of the turn signal indicator light). This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Risk: An operator would not be aware that the turn signal lamps were not working.

Fix: Dealers will replace the turn signal lamps on these motorcycles.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Throttle fails to return to idle (PE03043) — opened Sep 23, 2003, closed Oct 30, 2003, led to recall 03V427000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Consumer states that the paint is peeling off the fuel tank, eventually the tank will fall apart, resulting in fuel leaking on engine. *ak

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Jul 17, 2003 · NHTSA complaint 10029552

Parts not available ( manufacturing problem ). (98v-036) *yc

Exterior Lighting · received Jul 14, 1999 · NHTSA complaint 547144

Other Buell S1W years

YearComplaintsRecalls
199821

See all Buell S1W problems by year, every Buell model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Buell S1W?

Owners most often report exterior lighting, fuel system, gasoline problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Buell S1W?

Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 1998 Buell S1W a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other S1W model years, the 1998 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.