RoadVitals

2006 Triumph Rocket Iii

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.
9
Latest Mar 11, 2022
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.
2
Latest Sep 26, 2007
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.
1
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 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Triumph Rocket Iii, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 94 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

  • Powertrain (other)440.0%
  • Engine220.0%
  • Transmission220.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Other / unspecified110.0%

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

2 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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Sep 26, 2007
4,696 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, WHEN THE ENGINE IS RETURNING TO IDLE IT MAY STALL.
The risk: IF THE MOTORCYCLE STALLS, THE RIDER WILL HAVE TO RESTART THE ENGINE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND DOWNLOAD NEW ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 678-854-2010.
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTDView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Mar 6, 2006
33 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HANDLE BAR CLAMP BOLTS WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.
The risk: THE HANDLE BARS COULD LOOSEN WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF THE CLAMP BOLTS AND TIGHTEN IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 16, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 1-678-854-2010.
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTDView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE07030ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

MOTORCYCLE STALLING

Opened Jun 20, 2007
Closed Oct 19, 2007

FOLLOWING OUR OPENING OF THIS PE AND SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS WITH TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES LTD, THE COMPANY DECIDED TO LAUNCH A SAFETY-RELATED RECALL OF ALL ROCKET III MODEL MOTORCYCLES TO ADDRESS OCCURRENCES OF SUDDEN AND UN-FORESEEN TIP-OUT STALLING.THIS ACTION WAS TAKEN IN LIEU OF RESPONDING TO NHTSA'S INFORMATION REQUEST AND INVOLVES THE INSTALLATION OF AN UPGRADED ECU INCORPORATING REVISED ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE. WITH TRIUMPH'S SAFETY-RELATED RECALL, THIS PE IS CLOSED.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMLed to recall 07V455000

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2022

The contact owns 2006 Triumph Rocket III. The contact stated while riding the motorcycle at approximately 50 MPH, there was a vibration. The contact noticed the rear output shaft bearing assembly had deteriorated. The contact also mentioned that the shift lever was loosened and not installed properly. The contact made it safely to the destination. The contact notified a local dealer and provided the dealer with a video of the failure that was experienced. The motorcycle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The output shaft bearing part was ordered by the contact. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.

NHTSA ID
11456308
Incident
Mar 3, 2022
Mileage
14,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 17, 2018

TRANSMISSION DANGEROUSLY JUMPING OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 1S AND 2ND, HITS NEUTRAL SPOTS UNDER POWER. ADDITIONALLY GETTING DANGEROUS STEERING SHAKE BETWEEN 45-25 MPH DECELERATIONS. BIKE HAS UNDER 9,900'MILES. DEALER FOUND A TRANSMISSION OIL SEAL INSTALLED BACKWARDS BY FACTORY, UPON TEAR DOWN/DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION TRIUMPH SO FAR REFUSES ANY HELP, BIKE TOO OLD THEY SAY. BIKE IS A $6,300 TOTAL LOSS' DUE TO REPAIR COST EXCEEDING $6,400+ FOR TRANSMISSION ALONE.

NHTSA ID
11140802
Incident
Jul 18, 2018
Mileage
9,870 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 6, 2014

FIRST NOTICED AFTER PURCHASE IN 2013 WHILE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THE MANUAL FIVE SPEED TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF SECOND GEAR. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME, UNDER VARIOUS LOAD CONDITIONS AND ROAD HAZARDS. SPEAKING WITH TRIUMPH CORPORATE SERVICE, THEY RECOGNIZE THE FAULT, HAVE RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WORLD WIDE, AND OFFER ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, A PART UPGRADE AS A REPAIR. THEY DO NOT HOWEVER COVER LABOR TO EFFECT THE UPGRADE AFTER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY PERIOD. NOT EFFECTING A RECALL AND PUTTING THOUSANDS AT RISK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS IT CAUSES ERRATIC MOTORCYCLE BEHAVIOR WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10619331
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
21,839 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TRIUMPH ROCKET III MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,300.

NHTSA ID
10524373
Incident
Aug 1, 2009
Mileage
3,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 23, 2012

WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH 2ND GEAR THE BIKE JOLTS AS IT APPARENTLY SKIPPING A TOOTH ON THE GEAR. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE FORUMS AS WELL AS A WORKING WITH TRIUMPH DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT HAS OCCURRED ON HUNDREDS OF THESE BIKES. TRIUMPH ACTUALLY HAD AN UPGRADE KIT TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN ISSUE BUT ONLY IF IT HAPPENED WHILE THE BIKE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. MY BIKE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY ITS AGE BUT STILL ONLY HAD 8K MILES. TRIUMPH REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. SINCE THEY KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND IN MY OPINION (AS WELL AS THAT OF MANY OTHER OWNERS) IT IS A HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE SO THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE REPAIR KIT HAS A REDESIGNED GEAR THAT FIXES THE ISSUE. SINCE I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT MYSELF I HAVE PAID FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE PAPER WEIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10456182
Incident
Aug 1, 2010
Mileage
8,500 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 12, 2011

2006 TRIUMPH ROCKET 3, THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF SECOND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING. TRIUMPH HAS A TRANSMISSION UPGRADE THAT ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN A CRASH IF THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR WHEN MOVING FROM A STOP WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND THE MOTORCYCLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10395623
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
9,500 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 8, 2011

TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT TRIUMPH IS CONTENT ON LETTING THEM FAIL AND THEN THE CONSUMER IS STUCK FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE TRIUMPH FORUMS HAVE SHOWN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OWNERS. IF THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN WARRANTY THEN THEY HAVE AN UPGRADE KIT THAT THEY INSTALL. HOWEVER THEY ARE PLAYING THE WAIT AND SEE GAME SO THAT THOSE OWNERS THAT HAVE THE ISSUE AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP THEY CAN CHARGE FOR THE UPGRADE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE FAILURES CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME. I HAVE READ SOME OF FROM FAILING AS EARLY AS 3K MILES ALL THE WAY OUT TO 35K. TRIUMPH DECIDED TO NOT DO A RECALL AND TO GAMBLE WITH LIVES TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET ALL OF THE PRODUCTION RUNS FROM 2004 THROUGH 2006 TO BE OUT OF WARRANTY. I CONTACTED THE CLOSEST DEALER TO ME AND HE DENIED THAT THERE EVER WAS A PROBLEM. HOWEVER I GAVE HIM THE PART NUMBERS FOR THE UPGRADE KITS AND A LIST OF WHAT WAS IN THEM. HE NEVER RESPONDED AFTER THAT. THE KIT PARTS ARD LISTED BELOW: # T1000008 FOR SILVER ENGINES # T100000) FOR BLACK ENGINES PARTS LISTED AS INCLUDED IN THE KITS INCLUDE : SMALLER DETENT ARM 2NDGEAR GOES FROM 8 ENGAGING DOGS, TO 4 SPARK PLUGS CHANGES FROM DPR8EA-9 TO DPR7EA-9 NEW FUEL SENSOR NEW SEALING WASHERS FOR OIL TANK NEW CAM CHAIN GUIDE PLUS SOME MINOR WIRING PARTS THESE PARTS TAKE CARE OF 2 KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THESE MOTORCYCLES. BOTH OF THEM CAN END IN EITHER A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE (TIMING CHAIN BREAKING CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE) AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP PROBLEM. AS AN OWNER OF ONE OF THESE BIKES I AM CONCERNED THAT IT COULD HAPPEN TO ME AND I THINK THAT TRIUMPH SHOULD FACE THE PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMEONE ACTUALLY IS HURT OR KILLED WHEN THESE ITEMS FAIL. BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL FORUMS I HAVE THE INITIAL SYMPTOMS WITH THE BIKE JUMPING OUT OF 2ND GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING SO IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT WILL HAPPEN TO MY BIKE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386888
Incident
Mar 8, 2011
Mileage
9,500 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2011

THE TIMING CHAIN HAS STARTED MAKING A RATTLE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BREAK. AFTER GOOGLING IT I FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE CHAIN BREAK CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE DESTRUCTION. SOME HAVE HAD THE MOTOR SEIZE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS IS VERY HIGH AND APPARENTLY TRIUMPH CHOOSES TO LET THE MACHINES FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES SO THAT THEY CAN CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386049
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
9,500 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.

COM6 - 34491

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

COM5 - 34490

Dealer notice announcing the availability of Technical Bulletin 264.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000
2008511
2007111
2006Viewing921
2005202150.7
2004011

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.