NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Triumph dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring, describing incidents dated May 10, 2009 to September 17, 2014.

Most-cited components

Power Train 3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10700807 · Filed March 21, 2015
WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR HAD A TOTAL LOSE OF POWER. HAD TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR TO CONTINUE THRU THE TRAFFIC LIGHT INTERSECTION. WHEN TRYING TO UP SHIFT HAD LOSE OF POWER IN 4TH GEAR ALSO AND HAD TO SHIFT INTO 5TH TO MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER…
ODI #10639761 · Filed September 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES IN THE LEFT LANE, THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND SUDDENLY STALLED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC…
ODI #10546754 · Filed October 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE INTERIOR CLUTCH PIN DISENGAGED, RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH OPERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR…

Read all 5 complaints

INNERLINER CRACKING/SLOW LEAK

NHTSA #09T004000 · Tires · NHTSA notice

Reported March 31, 2009 · BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE NORTH AMERICA TIRE

Potentially affected: 1,018 vehicles

Owners notified April 21, 2009

Defect description

BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATION (BRIDGESTONE) IS RECALLING 1,018 BRIDGESTONE EXEDRA G850 G MOTORCYCLE TIRES, SIZE 180/70R16 77H, SOLD AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR MY 2008 AND 2009 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLES. THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHICH THESE TIRES ARE APPLIED DEVELOPS VERY HIGH TORQUE AND CAN CAUSE TORQUE-INDUCED DEGRADATION IN A BODY PLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN INNERLINER CRACKING THAT MAY LEAD TO A SLOW LEAK IN THE REAR TIRE. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT AFFECT THE FRONT TIRE.

Safety consequence

THE AFFECTED TIRES MAY BEGIN TO VIBRATE AT MODERATE SPEEDS. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

BRIDGESTONE IS WORKING WITH TRIUMPH TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT TIRE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE MATCHING REQUIREMENTS OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRIDGESTONE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-465-1904.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

PANNIER RAIL BREAKAGE

NHTSA #08V686000 · Structure · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2008 · TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTD

Potentially affected: 8 vehicles

Owners notified December 17, 2008 · Vehicles built March 1, 2008 – April 30, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

TRIUMPH IS RECALLING 8 MY 2008 ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLES. THERE COULD BE A MISSING WELD ON THE BACK OF THE PANNIER RAIL.

Safety consequence

THE PANNIER RAIL MAY, AFTER TIME, BE WEAKENED LEADING TO A FULL FRACTURE OF THE RAIL AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF PANNIER AND RAIL FROM THE MOTORCYCLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PANNIER RAIL. ALL MOTORCYCLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 120/PART 567/INCORRECT INFORMATION ON LABELS

NHTSA #08V145000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported March 26, 2008 · TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTD

Potentially affected: 356 vehicles

Triumph campaign 392 · Owners notified April 23, 2008 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – January 31, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

TRIUMPH IS RECALLING 356 MY 2008 ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS," AND PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE CERTIFICATION LABEL, LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT FRAME TUBE, INCLUDES INCORRECT INFORMATION REGARDING TIRE SIZES AND PRESSURES, AS WELL AS AN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR).

Safety consequence

AN OWNER MAY UNDER-INFLATE THE FRONT TIRE IF USING THE INCORRECT INFORMATION. UNDER-INFLATION MAY CAUSE A TIRE TO SLIP OR COME OFF THE RIM CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 1-678-539-8782.

Notes

TRIUMPH RECALL NO. 392.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #10700807

Incident: September 17, 2014 · Filed: March 21, 2015

WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM 1ST GEAR TO 2ND GEAR HAD A TOTAL LOSE OF POWER. HAD TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR TO CONTINUE THRU THE TRAFFIC LIGHT INTERSECTION. WHEN TRYING TO UP SHIFT HAD LOSE OF POWER IN 4TH GEAR ALSO AND HAD TO SHIFT INTO 5TH TO MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER REMOVING CLUTCH CASE COVER FOUND A BROKEN BRASS SPRING IN BOTTOM OF THE CRANK. AFTER READING THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL IT APPEARED TO BE THE GEAR SELECTOR SPRING, WAS VERIFIED BY TRIUMPH TECH THAT IT WAS. NOW I HAVE TO TURN BIKE IN TO A TRIUMPH SERVICE CENTER TO REPLACE A $4 SPRING, WHICH REQUIRE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE TO REPLACE. THE CLUTCH SYSTEM I SEE AS A TREND ELEVATING THE RISK FOR RIDERS/DRIVERS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10639761

Incident: August 1, 2012 · Filed: September 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES IN THE LEFT LANE, THE MOTORCYCLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND SUDDENLY STALLED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC TWIST GRIP, WHICH HOUSES THE STEEL CABLE TO THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE, HAD SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Power Train

ODI #10546754

Incident: September 23, 2013 · Filed: October 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE INTERIOR CLUTCH PIN DISENGAGED, RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH OPERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train

ODI #10280142

Incident: May 10, 2009 · Filed: August 11, 2009

FAILURE OF CLUTCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY ON 2008 MODEL TRIUMPH ROCKET III TOURING MOTORCYCLE. 1. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE - NEW BIKE, 5000KMS, LOUD NOISE COMING FROM CLUTCH HOUSING. REQUESTED SUPPLIER TO EXAMINE THIS. THEY CONCLUDED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK IT HOME AND DISMANTLED THE CLUTCH MYSELF TO FIND THAT THE CASE HARDENING ON THE CLUTCH ACTUATOR ROD HAD FAILED AND THE NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS HAD DUG INTO THE SHAFT CAUSING THIS NOISE. THE SHAFT WAS VERY CLOSE TO FAILING AND THE NEEDLE ROLLERS WERE DAMAGED. I SET PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAMAGE TO THE BIKE SUPPLIER (BIKEBIZ) AND THEY AGREED TO FIX IT. I TOOK 10 WEEKS TO GET ANY ACTION FROM TRIUMPH TO PROVIDE THE PARTS. I HAVE NO FAITH IN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND WILL NOW GET RID OF THE BIKE. ENGINE NUMBER: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power Train

ODI #10280065

Incident: July 5, 2009 · Filed: August 11, 2009

CLUTCH FAILURE ON MY MOTORCYCLE, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN INTERNAL PART (LIFTER SHAFT). MY MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE THAT DATE(5 WEEKS NOW), AWAITING PART REPLACEMENT. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A POORLY DESIGNED PART. WHEN IT BRAKES COMPLETE FAILURE OF CLUTCH OPERATION IS THE RESULT. IT CAN BRAKE AT ANY SPEED, WITHOUT WARNING. CLUTCH FAILURE CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WHILE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE. *TR

Other Triumph Rocket III Touring model years

Check your 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Triumph Rocket III Touring at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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