AI DamageTriumph Rocket III: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Triumph Rocket III across 4 model years: 35 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 46% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 3% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 16 complaints (46% of all).
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (17% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 35 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
During acceleration bike drops between gears and you have no power it is in nuetral have to try.to shift up or down and pray you get it before someone hits you from behind. Happens most of the time when you down shift make a turn and try to accelerate. Also at freeway speeds and acceleration it happens.
After bike sat a summer due to illness when I rode bike it started coming out of gear on acceleration and speed changes. I had shift cove replaced 2 years prior now this only has 32,000 miles
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.