Buell S3 Thunderbolt Problems by Year
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on file for the Buell S3 Thunderbolt, across 4 model years (1997–2000). The 1998 model year has the most complaints (10). The most reported problem area overall is suspension.
Buell S3 Thunderbolt years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No S3 Thunderbolt model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1998 S3 Thunderbolt: 10 complaints, 7 recalls
- 1997 S3 Thunderbolt: 2 complaints, 7 recalls
- 1999 S3 Thunderbolt: 1 complaint, 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 S3 Thunderbolt problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Buell S3 Thunderbolt model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 S3 Thunderbolt | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 1999 S3 Thunderbolt | 1 | 6 | — | Engine | |
| 1998 S3 Thunderbolt | 10 | 7 | — | Suspension | |
| 1997 S3 Thunderbolt | 2 | 7 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling |
More from Buell: all Buell models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Buell S3 Thunderbolt years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1998 (10), 1997 (2), 1999 (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 Thunderbolt?
Suspension, with 5 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the Buell S3 Thunderbolt have?
11 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.