Buell Thunderbolt Problems by Year
NHTSA has 5 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Buell Thunderbolt, across 4 model years (1995–1998). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (2). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Buell Thunderbolt years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Thunderbolt model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 Thunderbolt: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1998 Thunderbolt: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1997 Thunderbolt: 1 complaint, 0 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 Thunderbolt problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Buell Thunderbolt model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Thunderbolt | 1 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 1997 Thunderbolt | 1 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1996 Thunderbolt | 1 | 0 | — | Suspension | |
| 1995 Thunderbolt | 2 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling |
More from Buell: all Buell models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Buell Thunderbolt years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1995 (2), 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 Thunderbolt?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 2 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the Buell Thunderbolt have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.