RoadVitals

2010 Triumph Thunderbird

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.
7
Latest Sep 8, 2016
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.
1
Latest May 10, 2011
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Triumph Thunderbird, most frequently naming the driver assistance, fuel system and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 95 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 assistance330.0%
  • Fuel system220.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Other / unspecified110.0%
  • Suspension110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%

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

1 campaign 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

EQUIPMENT

May 10, 2011
1,955 units potentially affected
The defect: TRIUMPH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 THUNDERBIRD AND THUNDERBIRD ABS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH AUGUST 2010. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCOMPATIBLE THREAD LOCKER/SCREW COMBINATION AT THE FRONT FENDER MOUNTING.
The risk: THE SCREWS MAY WORK LOOSE AND THE SCREW HEADS CAN CONTACT THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT TIRE, LEADING TO TIRE DEFLATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SCREWS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRIUMPH CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-678-539-8782.
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTDView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Sep 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE READJUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

NHTSA ID
10904622
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
Mileage
14,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 10, 2016

TURNING RIGHT FROM A SIDE STREET ONTO A MAJOR ROAD, I BEGAN ACCELERATING AND THE THROTTLE BECAME INOPERATIVE, SNAPPING IMMEDIATELY BACK TO IDLE SPEED. SUBSEQUENT TURNING OF THE THROTTLE GRIP HAD NO EFFECT. THERE WAS TRAFFIC ON THE MAJOR ROAD THAT FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN IN RESPONSE TO MY UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED. THE ATTACHMENT FOR THE THROTTLE CABLE SNAPPED OFF OF THE THROTTLE GRIP ASSEMBLY. MY GRIPS WERE AUTHENTIC OEM TRIUMPH ACCESSORIES - HEATED GRIPS. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A NOT AN INFREQUENT FAILURE. TRIUMPH HAS SUPERSEDED THE ORIGINAL ACCESSORY KIT WITH A LATER PART NUMBER, BUT COULD NOT TELL ME IF THE SUPERSESSION INVOLVED A MATERIAL OR DESIGN CHANGE FOR THE THROTTLE GRIP ASSEMBLY. THE THROTTLE OPERATED PERFECTLY AND THEN FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THERE WAS NO EXCESSIVE FREEPLAY IN THE THROTTLE LINKAGE, NOR DID IT BIND IN ANY WAY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10873654
Incident
Jun 4, 2016
Mileage
17,200 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 1, 2015

THIS HAPPENS WHEN SHUTTING THE THROTTLE OFF TO MAKE A CORNER OR A STOP LIGHT, OR TO ADJUST SPEED IN TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE BACKFIRES THROUGH THE INTAKE OF THE THROTTLE BODIES AND THE AIRBOX UNDER THE VEHICLE SEAT AND DIES. THERE IS NO WARNING THIS IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN AND THE ENGINES DIES AND YOU ARE STRANDED IN TRAFFIC WHILE YOU COAST TO A STOP, FIND NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE USUALLY STARTS AS NOTHING HAS HAPPENED AND RUNS NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10691366
Incident
Apr 20, 2012
Mileage
700 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2014

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A LONG STEEP INCLINE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH,AND DOWN SHIFTING TO SLOW THE MOTORCYCLE,THE MOTOR STACK FIRED THRU THE THROTTLE BODIES AND QUIT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AS LUCK HAD IT,THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. HOWEVER,IF I HAD TO ACCELERATE AT THAT INSTANT TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE,IT WOULD HAVE CREATED A TENSE SITUATION TO SAY THE LEAST. WHEN I GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL,I LET THE CLUTCH OUT TO RESTART THE MOTOR WHILE THE MACHINE WAS STILL MOVING AND WAS SUCCESSFUL. ALL WAS WELL AFTER THAT AND THE PROBLEM HASN'T OCCURRED SINCE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT GIVES YOU A LITTLE RUSH AS FAR AS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE GOES. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME MOTORCYCLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648460
Incident
Oct 14, 2014
Mileage
79,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 24, 2013

I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD MOTORCYCLE TO WORK AND THE ASSEMBLY THAT ATTACHES THE THROTTLE CABLE TO THE THROTTLE GRIP FROZE. I HAD NOT THROTTLE CONTROL AND HAD TO COAST THE BIKE TO A SAFE STOP ON THE LEFT SHOULDER OF A HIGHWAY. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE OF THE FACTORY HEATED GRIPS. AFTER REPEATED HEATING, THEY GET BRITTLE AND THE ATTACHMENT TO THE THROTTLE CABLE BREAKS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN A YEAR. WHAT WAS PARTICULARLY SCARY ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS THAT MY THROTTLE WAS STUCK IN THE "OPEN" POSITION AND I HAD TO TWIST THE GRIP REALLY HARD TO GET IT UNSTUCK, WHICH BROKE THE ASSEMBLY. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, TRIUMPH REPLACED THIS UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME, THEY COVERED THE COSTS AS WELL FOR CUSTOMER GOODWILL, FOR WHICH I AM GRATEFUL. IN READING THE TRIUMPH FORUMS, IT IS COMMON FOR THIS ASSEMBLY TO BREAK. I'M ATTACHING A LINK TO THE RELEVANT FORUM ARTICLE HERE. HTTP://WWW.TRIUMPHRAT.NET/THUNDERBIRD-CRUISER-CHAT/183312-BUSTED-THROTTLE.HTML PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW AND COULD LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504318
Incident
Feb 8, 2013
Mileage
21,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 30, 2011

THE REAR BRAKES ON MY 2010 TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD BEGAN MAKING NOISE. I TOOK THE BIKE INTO THE DEALER AND APPARENTLY THE BRAKE PADS ARE WORN TO NOTHING AND THE ROTOR IS WORN TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO BE REPLACED. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 4000 MILES ON IT AND THE FIRST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECK ON THE BRAKES IS 6000 MILES. IN ADDITION TO THIS ISSUE, THE SPEEDOMETER ON THE BIKE HAS STUCK 3 TIMES BUT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO WITNESS THIS ISSUE AND SO THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER. IT WILL SOMETIMES SHOW A MUCH SLOWER SPEED THAN ACTUALLY TRAVELING AND AT OTHER TIMES HAS SHOWN A MUCH HIGHER SPEED THAN IS ACTUALLY BEING TRAVELED (E.G. SHOWS 30 MPH WHEN DOING 55 AND SHOWS 100 MPH WHEN DOING 60). USUALLY CLEARS WHEN MOTORCYCLE IS TURNED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10422536
Incident
Aug 28, 2011
Mileage
4,400 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V277000 (EQUIPMENT) AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR ANTICIPATED REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,400. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 11/28/11

NHTSA ID
10412381
Incident
Jun 5, 2011
Mileage
3,400 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 Thunderbird by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014210
2013400
2012110
2010Viewing710
2003000
2002000
2001000
2000100
1999000
1998000
1997000
1996000
1995000

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.