1998 Buell S3 Thunderbolt Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V104000
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: April 21st, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: June 4th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM THAT COULD, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.

Consequence Summary:
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 4, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V105000
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: April 21st, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: June 15th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.

Consequence Summary:
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO PREVENT SUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE OR STALL.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 15, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V106000
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: June 16th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: July 8th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V107000
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: June 16th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: June 28th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 28, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V097000
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Manufactured Begin Date: January 20th, 1995
Manufactured End Date: April 21st, 1999
Date of Owner Notification: June 24th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 24, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V086000
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 810
Manufactured Begin Date: January 6th, 1996
Manufactured End Date: June 16th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: May 18th, 1999

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.

Consequence Summary:
THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 18, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V153000
Manufacturer: BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.
Manufactured Begin Date: July 2nd, 1996
Manufactured End Date: September 5th, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: September 29th, 1997

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE E-CLIP WHICH RETAINS THE DRIVE PIN ON THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR AND CARRIER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE DRIVE PIN ALLOWING THE PIN TO MOVE OUT OF POSITION AND COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE FRONT WHEEL FROM ROTATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTORCYCLES.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-935-8400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.