Does the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning have any recalls?

6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other, electrical system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1996 Buell S1 Lightning recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Buell dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning?

3 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1996 Buell S1 Lightning recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Buell been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Buell dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1996 Buell S1 Lightning recalls, newest first

May 6, 1999NHTSA 99V1070008,950 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber

Summary: Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a rear shock absorber front eye that could break.
Consequence: If the shock eye should break, the underside of the vehicle will drag on the ground possibly causing loss of vehicle control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorber.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 6, 1999NHTSA 99V1060008,950 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Rear

Summary: Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break.
Consequence: If the swingarm should break, loss of vehicle control could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the swingarm.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 6, 1999NHTSA 99V10500012,321 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

Summary: Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a fuel tank vent valve assembly that could become plugged.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank vent valve assembly.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 6, 1999NHTSA 99V10400010,556 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

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: This could result in an explosion or fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank mount system.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 29, 1999NHTSA 99V09700010,255 vehicles potentially affected

Unknown or other

Summary: Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a sidestand switch that could become inoperative
Consequence: This condition can cause the engine to stall/quit when riding.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sidestand switch.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 29, 1999NHTSA 99V0950003,878 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables

Summary: Vehicle description: motorcycles. Motion of the battery cable can lead to breakage of its terminal.
Consequence: This condition can cause the engine to stall/quit when riding.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and/or replace the negative battery cable.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables1
Fuel system1
Gasoline1
Hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor1
Service brakes1

Other Buell S1 Lightning years

Other 1996 Buell models

Most recalled 1996 vehicles

1996 Dodge Caravan (16 recalls)
1996 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1996 Dodge Ram (14 recalls)
1996 Plymouth Voyager (13 recalls)
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1996’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning have any recalls?: 6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other, electrical system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1996 Buell S1 Lightning recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Buell dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Buell S1 Lightning?: 3 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.