Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
12,000 miles · Aug 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A BELT INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN, THE REAR BRAKE LINE SEVERED BECAUSE OF THE BELT. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO,…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A BELT INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN, THE REAR BRAKE LINE SEVERED BECAUSE OF THE BELT. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO, THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND WHERE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSING COMPLETELY DOWN BUT NOT STOPPING AS WELL AS IT HAD BEFORE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TWICE. THE LOCAL DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10133297
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
SIDE STAND SWITCH WAS REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO ON A PREVIOUS RECALL BY MFG!
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED EXCLUSIVELY WITH A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE IDLE CONTROL CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CABLE GUIDE DUE TO IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR'S HAND IS REMOVED FROM THE TWIST GRIP, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THROTTLE CABLE CLAMP, WHICH SERVES TO ENSURE RETENTION OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES IN THE CABLE GUIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
Consequence & remedy
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE03043 · Throttle Fails To Return To Idle
Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Oct 30, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUELL IS RECALLING THOSE FUEL-INJECTED MOTORCYCLES THAT IT BUILT WITHOUT A THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL CLAMP.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE REFER TO THE MEMORANDUM ENTITLED THE SCOPE OF BUELL'S SAFETY RECALL, 03V-427 COPY ATTACHED.
1999 Buell X1 Lightning Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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