AI DamageTriumph Thunderbird: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Triumph Thunderbird across 5 model years: 15 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 40% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 6 complaints (40% of all).
- Engine: 4 complaints (27% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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 60 MPH, the motorcycle lost motive power with the throttle control grip being activated. The contact waited for 20 minutes to restart the motorcycle however, the failure recurred. There was no warning light illuminated.
While driving between 35-55 mph, the contact's motorcycle made an abnormal knocking noise. The noise was loud and a distraction. The vehicle was towed to southern california motorcycles ([address], brea, [ZIP], [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the test came back incomplete.
At 1st valve clearance inspection, it was discovered that the right-side exhaust decompression mechanism broke off of the camshaft and shattered, leaving metal pieces loose under the cam cover where they could potentially interfere with intake or exhaust valve operation. Not all pieces are accounted for.
Niose from rear drive hub and drive belt ;feeling like rear tire is loose but its been checked. Wearing rear tires out fast 2000miles a tire. When coming out of turn ill get a wiggle feels like something loose.its been doing this ever sence new
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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.