2006 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 2006 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
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
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
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
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 2006 TRIUMPH ROCKET III. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH AND SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY DOWNLOADED THE NEW ENGINE SOFTWARE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. AS OF DECEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V455000). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,400. UPDATED 12/18/07 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 .