Buell S3 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 5 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file for the Buell S3, across 3 model years (1997–1999). The 1999 model year has the most complaints (3). The most reported problem area overall is suspension.
Buell S3 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No S3 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
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 S3 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Buell S3 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 S3 | 3 | 1 | — | Suspension | |
| 1998 S3 | 1 | 1 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1997 S3 | 1 | 1 | — | Exterior Lighting |
More from Buell: all Buell models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Buell S3 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1999 (3), 1998 (1), 1997 (1). 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 S3?
Suspension, with 3 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the Buell S3 have?
2 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.