NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Preliminary Evaluation PE21-017: Extended Stopping Distance
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Preliminary Evaluation PE21-017 on July 9, 2021 and closed it on January 15, 2025. NHTSA's investigations file lists 7 Triumph models for it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- PE21-017 (also written PE21017)
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation The first stage of most defect investigations: NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation gathers basic information about a possible safety defect, including from the manufacturer.
- Status
- Closed January 15, 2025
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturer
- Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd.
- Components
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — ABS Warning Light; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Brake Fluid Low Warning — Lamp; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Brake Fluid Low Warning — Switch/Sensor/Float; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Critical Fasteners; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Differential Proportional Valve; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Pads; Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Rotor
- Vehicles and equipment
- 7 Triumph models, including the Speed Triple and Thruxton
A recall appears here only when NHTSA's investigations file links one to the investigation; NHTSA's summary or record can name others.
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Preliminary Evaluation PE21-017.
try.vin does not copy NHTSA's investigation documents; NHTSA's investigation record lists the ones NHTSA has published.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21017) on July 9, 2021 for model year (MY) 2016-2019 Triumph Thruxton and Speed Triple model motorcycles based on allegations of loss of front braking performance.
Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) indicated riders were experiencing a soft front brake lever that could result in an unexpected extended stopping distance. On July 28, 2021, ODI sent an Information Request letter to Triumph to learn more about the subject components and alleged defect.
On September 24, 2021, Triumph submitted its response, which ODI analyzed.
ODI learned that the majority of the VOQ incidents occurred two or more years after the motorcycle was manufactured. The manufacturer recommends changing the brake fluid every two years, regardless of mileage. As the manufacturer’s warranty lasts for two years from the date of sale, many dealers covered the complicated brake fluid replacement procedure under warranty. However, most of the motorcycles involved in these incidents were overdue to have their brake system serviced. Triumph conducted testing of the brake system to better quantify what riders were experiencing.
Triumph found pulling the lever a second time immediately after an initial pull did result in less lever travel for the same force exerted on the lever.
This reduction was two millimeters or less.
Additional testing was conducted to ascertain the caliper force generated relative to various lever forces.
Triumph found that the caliper force varied +/- 2% between the first and second pull of the front brake lever and any given applied force. Triumph claimed that the lack of proper maintenance was the cause of the soft brake lever.
Triumph conducted additional testing to quantify this claim.
The lever travel between the first and second pull increased 150% on an improperly maintained system versus a properly maintained system.
However, the caliper force only decreased 2-3% on average with this increased lever travel, further indicating that the subject motorcycles are capable of fully stopping. ODI located and evaluated a subject motorcycle.
Measurements were taken and confirmed there was a small decrease in lever travel between the first and second pull.
ODI then conducted a series of hard braking events, which did not produce evidence that the difference in lever travel resulted in an extended stopping distance. ODI also considered Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) data.
ODI identified six fatal events that involved a subject vehicle.
The service history records were reviewed for each motorcycle, however,none of the records included any mention of braking problems and thus there is no indication that the alleged defect may have contributed to the fatal crashes. As of this time there are no VOQ or manufacturer claims reporting an injury, fatality, or crash arising from this issue.
Based on the available information, including the absence of such events after nine years of service on the oldest motorcycles, ODI is closing this investigation.
The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Preliminary Evaluation PE21-017. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
What an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for PE21-017
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.