Model year record
The 2005 Triumph Rocket III has 2 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (6 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSoftware | 6 | 13,150 mi |
| Power trainManual transmission; Driveline | 5 | 15,500 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline | 5 | 7,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Caliper | 2 | — |
| StructureMotorcycle › Kickstand/center stand | 1 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
THE ROCKET III HAS A KNOWN HISTORY OF IGNITION FAILURE AND TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE BIKE WILL SIMPLY TURN OFF, OFTEN IN THE PROCESS OF STEERING. THE TRIUMPH RAT FORUMS ARE FULL OF STORIES HIGHLIGHTING THIS PROBLEM, AND MY BIKE ALONE HAS HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT TRIUMPH REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
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. *TR
AT APP. 8,500 MILES GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE MOTOR JUST SHUT OFF. IN THE PAST YEAR SEVERAL TIMES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS NOT WORKING. SWITCHED BIKE OFF THEN BACK ON STARTED WORKING. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TRIUMPH DEALER TODAY. OWNER SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAILING. TOLD ME $400.00 PLUS FOR PART. DIDN'T EVEN ASK WHAT COST TO PUT IT ON WAS. HE SHOWED ME ON THE COMPUTER WHERE TRIUMPH HAS A MODIFICATION OF THE NEW SWITCH. TELLS ME THERE IS PLENTY OF THEM GOING OUT. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THERE IS TO MUCH POWER GOING TO THE SWITCH AND HE WILL INSTALL A BYPASS RELAY TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. NOT HAPPY. *TR
I WAS RIDING MY MOTORCYCLE TO WORK. THE IGNITION FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT MOMENTARILY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON THE WAY HOME, THEN AGAIN IN THE PARKING LOT ON THE WAY INTO WORK THE NEXT MORNING. THAT EVENING, THE ENGINE WOULDN'T START AT ALL. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A LOOSE SOLDER JOINT IN THE IGNITION MODULE. NUMEROUS OWNERS OF THIS MODEL MOTORCYCLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT IS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DUAL HEADLIGHTS ARE POWERED THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND WHEN A HEADLIGHT IGNITION SWITCH BYPASS RELAY IS INSTALLED, THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TRIUMPH ROCKET III MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD REV VERY HIGH AND CAUSE PROBLEMS WHILE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2007 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, FOUR YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TRANSMISSION LINKAGE DISCONNECTS IN SIDE TRANSSO YOU EITHER GET STUCK IN GEAR OR NEUTRAL 2ND TIME THIS HAPPNED. *TR
BIKE JUMPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR OR WONT GO INTO 3RD, ALMOST GOT RUNOVER. THE SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE APPEAR TO BE LIKE A PAINT CAN RATTLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR DRIVE LOCKING DOWN AND THE IDLE STALLING IN TRAFFIC. *TR
I OWN A 2005 ROCKET 3 PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS AS I STILL AM WITH ENGINE NOISE (RATTLING). I HAD BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION WHEN FIRST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD THESE SOUNDS WERE "NORMAL". ALSO THE FRONT DIRECTIONAL TIRE WAS INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY THE WRONG DIRECTION. (DEALER REPLACED TIRE FREE OF CHARGE). BIKE STALLS OFTEN WHILE STOPPED(FELL OVER ONCE HURTING LEG AND BACK) DEALER SAID ECU UPGRADE WAS AS PER TRIUMPH GUIDELINES. MY CONCERN NOW, THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, I WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE THAT HUNDREDS OF ROCKET 3 OWNERS HAVE ALREADY SUFFERED...1, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. 2,NO HELP FROM TRIUMPH NOW THAT THEY HAVE STROKED US ALL…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
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.