2005 Triumph Rocket Iii Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Triumph Rocket Iii, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine628.6%
- Electrical628.6%
- Transmission419.0%
- Powertrain (other)14.8%
- Tires & wheels14.8%
- Fuel system14.8%
- Brakes14.8%
- Body & structure14.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNDER ACCELERATION, ENGINE HAS A RATTLE LIKE A SPRAY PAINT CAN. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE, DUE TO A TIMING CHAIN/SPROCKET ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TRIUMPH TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS, BEFORE IT FAILS. *TR
I OWN A 2005 ROCKET 3 PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS AS I STILL AM WITH ENGINE NOISE (RATTLING). I HAD BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION WHEN FIRST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD THESE SOUNDS WERE "NORMAL". ALSO THE FRONT DIRECTIONAL TIRE WAS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY THE WRONG DIRECTION. (DEALER REPLACED TIRE FREE OF CHARGE). BIKE STALLS OFTEN WHILE STOPPED(FELL OVER ONCE HURTING LEG AND BACK) DEALER SAID ECU UPGRADE WAS AS PER TRIUMPH GUIDELINES. MY CONCERN NOW, THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, I WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE THAT HUNDREDS OF ROCKET 3 OWNERS HAVE ALREADY SUFFERED...1, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. 2,NO HELP FROM TRIUMPH NOW THAT THEY HAVE STROKED US ALL ALONG UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I FOR 1 CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT AFTER MORE THAT 100 COMPLAINTS FROM EVERY WEBSITE/FORUM/NATIONAL COMPLAINT BOARD OR WHERE EVER ELSE YOU READ ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT TRIUMPH IS NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!!!!!! IF THERE IS ANY OTHER ROCKET 3 OWNERS OUT THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO LOOK INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST TRIUMPH AMERICA PLEASE CONTACT TO PROVE THIS ACTION WE WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THE FAILURE OF TRIUMPH TO RECTIFY THIS POOR STANDARD OF WORKMANSHIP OF ITS "FLAGSHIP" MOTORCYCLE !. HEY NHTSA ARE YOU GUYS/GIRLS HEARING ANY OF WHAT IS BEING SAID HERE OR ACROSS THE WEB. TRIUMPH KNEW ABOUT THE SUBSTANDARD ENGINE PARTS IT USED IN 05 ROCKETS CHANGED / UPGRADED THEM ON THERE NEWER MODELS, BLEW SMOKE UP ALL OF THE 05 OWNERS BUTTS UNTIL OUR WARRANTY'S WERE UP AND NOW ARE CHARGING US UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO KEEP OUR MOSTLY UN-PAID OFF BIKES ON THE ROAD. I GUESS THAT'S ONE WAY OF COVERING THE COST OF THE UPGRADES THAT THE LUCKY/ SMART ONES ARE ENJOYING NOW....P.S. THE GUYS AT TREBOUR HAVE BEEN VERY PROFESSIONAL / UNDERSTANDING AND I BELIEVE THERE HANDS ARE TIED BY TRIUMPH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ROCKET III HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF IGNITION FAILURE AND TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE BIKE WILL SIMPLY TURN OFF, OFTEN IN THE PROCESS OF STEERING. THE TRIUMPH RAT FORUMS ARE FULL OF STORIES HIGHLIGHTING THIS PROBLEM, AND MY BIKE ALONE HAS HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT TRIUMPH REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
AT APP. 8,500 MILES GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE MOTOR JUST SHUT OFF. IN THE PAST YEAR SEVERAL TIMES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT WORKING. SWITCHED BIKE OFF THEN BACK ON STARTED WORKING. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TRIUMPH DEALER TODAY. OWNER SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAILING. TOLD ME $400.00 PLUS FOR PART. DIDN'T EVEN ASK WHAT COST TO PUT IT ON WAS. HE SHOWED ME ON THE COMPUTER WHERE TRIUMPH HAS A MODIFICATION OF THE NEW SWITCH. TELLS ME THERE IS PLENTY OF THEM GOING OUT. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THERE IS TO MUCH POWER GOING TO THE SWITCH AND HE WILL INSTALL A BYPASS RELAY TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. NOT HAPPY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION LINKAGE DISCONNECTS IN SIDE TRANSSO YOU EITHER GET STUCK IN GEAR OR NEUTRAL 2ND TIME THIS HAPPNED. *TR
BIKE JUMPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR OR WONT GO INTO 3RD, ALMOST GOT RUNOVER. THE SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE APPEAR TO BE LIKE A PAINT CAN RATTLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR DRIVE LOCKING DOWN AND THE IDLE STALLING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2005 TRIUMPH ROCKET MOTORCYCLE THAT PRODUCED EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE BECAUSE OF WORN KEY WAYS IN THE CAM CHAIN. I WAS TOLD WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE BIKE THAT THESE NOISES ARE NORMAL. HAVING RESEARCHED WEB SITES CONCERNING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND THAT HIS IS PREVALENT IN 2005 ROCKET 3 MODELS DUE TO THE ABOVE LISTED PROBLEM. TRIUMPH HAS FIXED MY PROBLEM BY REPLACING ALL THE CAM CHAIN COMPONENTS VIA WARRANTY, BUT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUE AND THEIR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TIRES ON THE MOTORCYCLE WERE BOUGHT WITH UNEVEN WEAR, AND THE DEALER SANDED THEM WITH AN ORBIT SANDER. THE SECOND SET OF TIRES WERE NOT BALANCED, THEY SHOOK WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY. TOOK TO DEALER FOR 16 DAYS. DEALER SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT IT WAS NOT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TRIUMPH ROCKET III MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD REV VERY HIGH AND CAUSE PROBLEMS WHILE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2007 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, FOUR YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: RIDING AT 5 TO 10 MPH COMING TO STOP, CONSUMER'S FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND A LOUD METAL PING SOUND OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND THAT HAPPENED AT THE FACTORY. THE CONSUMER HAD HEARD LOUD SCRAPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, AND REPORTED THIS FACTOR TO THE DEALER WHICH FOUND NOTHING. 20 MINUTES LATER THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, BUT MANAGED TO KEEP THE BIKE UPRIGHT INJURING SELF IN PROCESS. THE MODEL IS A SPEEDMASTER . *NM THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE RIGHT HAND FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNT BOLTS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED AT THE FACTORY. THE UPPER MOUNT WAS LOOSE AND THE LOWER BOLT HAD BACKED OUT ALMOST COMPLETEY. *TT *SB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE KICK STAND EXTENDER RIDES UP TOO HIGH. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER LOST BALANCE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AND FELL OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .