RoadVitals

2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Mar 21, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Mar 31, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring, most frequently naming the driver assistance, transmission and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 93 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance233.3%
  • Transmission233.3%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09T004000

TIRES

Mar 31, 2009
1,018 units potentially affected
The defect: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATION (BRIDGESTONE) IS RECALLING 1,018 BRIDGESTONE EXEDRA G850 G MOTORCYCLE TIRES, SIZE 180/70R16 77H, SOLD AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR MY 2008 AND 2009 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLES. THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHICH THESE TIRES ARE APPLIED DEVELOPS VERY HIGH TORQUE AND CAN CAUSE TORQUE-INDUCED DEGRADATION IN A BODY PLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN INNERLINER CRACKING THAT MAY LEAD TO A SLOW LEAK IN THE REAR TIRE. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT AFFECT THE FRONT TIRE.
The risk: THE AFFECTED TIRES MAY BEGIN TO VIBRATE AT MODERATE SPEEDS. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: BRIDGESTONE IS WORKING WITH TRIUMPH TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT TIRE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE MATCHING REQUIREMENTS OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRIDGESTONE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-465-1904.
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE NORTH AMERICA TIREView on NHTSA.gov
08V686000

STRUCTURE

Dec 19, 2008
8 units potentially affected
The defect: TRIUMPH IS RECALLING 8 MY 2008 ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLES. THERE COULD BE A MISSING WELD ON THE BACK OF THE PANNIER RAIL.
The risk: THE PANNIER RAIL MAY, AFTER TIME, BE WEAKENED LEADING TO A FULL FRACTURE OF THE RAIL AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF PANNIER AND RAIL FROM THE MOTORCYCLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PANNIER RAIL. ALL MOTORCYCLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTDView on NHTSA.gov
08V145000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Mar 26, 2008
356 units potentially affected
The defect: TRIUMPH IS RECALLING 356 MY 2008 ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS," AND PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE CERTIFICATION LABEL, LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT FRAME TUBE, INCLUDES INCORRECT INFORMATION REGARDING TIRE SIZES AND PRESSURES, AS WELL AS AN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR).
The risk: AN OWNER MAY UNDER-INFLATE THE FRONT TIRE IF USING THE INCORRECT INFORMATION. UNDER-INFLATION MAY CAUSE A TIRE TO SLIP OR COME OFF THE RIM CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 1-678-539-8782.
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTDManufacturer number 392View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 21, 2015

WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR HAD A TOTAL LOSE OF POWER. HAD TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR TO CONTINUE THRU THE TRAFFIC LIGHT INTERSECTION. WHEN TRYING TO UP SHIFT HAD LOSE OF POWER IN 4TH GEAR ALSO AND HAD TO SHIFT INTO 5TH TO MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER REMOVING CLUTCH CASE COVER FOUND A BROKEN BRASS SPRING IN BOTTOM OF THE CRANK. AFTER READING THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL IT APPEARED TO BE THE GEAR SELECTOR SPRING, WAS VERIFIED BY TRIUMPH TECH THAT IT WAS. NOW I HAVE TO TURN BIKE IN TO A TRIUMPH SERVICE CENTER TO REPLACE A $4 SPRING, WHICH REQUIRE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE TO REPLACE. THE CLUTCH SYSTEM I SEE AS A TREND ELEVATING THE RISK FOR RIDERS/DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10700807
Incident
Sep 17, 2014
Mileage
18,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES IN THE LEFT LANE, THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND SUDDENLY STALLED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC TWIST GRIP, WHICH HOUSES THE STEEL CABLE TO THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE, HAD SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10639761
Incident
Aug 1, 2012
Mileage
20,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE INTERIOR CLUTCH PIN DISENGAGED, RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH OPERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10546754
Incident
Sep 23, 2013
Mileage
30,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 11, 2009

FAILURE OF CLUTCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY ON 2008 MODEL TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. 1. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE - NEW BIKE, 5000KMS, LOUD NOISE COMING FROM CLUTCH HOUSING. REQUESTED SUPPLIER TO EXAMINE THIS. THEY CONCLUDED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK IT HOME AND DISMANTLED THE CLUTCH MYSELF TO FIND THAT THE CASE HARDENING ON THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR ROD HAD FAILED AND THE NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS HAD DUG INTO THE SHAFT CAUSING THIS NOISE. THE SHAFT WAS VERY CLOSE TO FAILING AND THE NEEDLE ROLLERS WERE DAMAGED. I SET PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE BIKE SUPPLIER (BIKEBIZ) AND THEY AGREED TO FIX IT. I TOOK 10 WEEKS TO GET ANY ACTION FROM TRIUMPH TO PROVIDE THE PARTS. I HAVE NO FAITH IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND WILL NOW GET RID OF THE BIKE. ENGINE NUMBER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10280142
Incident
May 10, 2009
Mileage
5,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 11, 2009

CLUTCH FAILURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN INTERNAL PART (LIFTER SHAFT). MY MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE THAT DATE(5 WEEKS NOW), AWAITING PART REPLACEMENT. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A POORLY DESIGNED PART. WHEN IT BRAKES COMPLETE FAILURE OF CLUTCH OPERATION IS THE RESULT. IT CAN BRAKE AT ANY SPEED, WITHOUT WARNING. CLUTCH FAILURE CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WHILE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10280065
Incident
Jul 5, 2009
Mileage
4,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

COM1-35109

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool 2026-07 and dealers should begin using it immediately.

COM2 - 34886

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool 2026-06.1 and dealers should begin using it immediately.

COM5 - 34490

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Technical Bulletin 264.

COM6 - 34491

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool version 2026-06 and dealers should begin using it immediately.

TB264

Technical Bulletin 264 provides instructions that relates to: Triumph Diagnostic Tool - New Motorcycle Connection and Diagnostics Workflow, Triumph Diagnostic Tool - End of Support for Microsoft Windows 10.

COM4 - 34435

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dealer notice advising the availalbility of TDT version 2026-05.2 which resolves the ABS as Not Connected issues in SmartScan, on Tracker 400 & Thruxton 400 models.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Triumph Rocket Iii Touring by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014110—
2013000—
2012000—
2011100—
2010000—
2009010—
2008Viewing530—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.