The contact owns 2006 Triumph Rocket III. 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. The contact notified a local dealer and provided the dealer with a video of the failure that was experienced. The motorcycle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The output shaft bearing part was ordered by the contact. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
Engine & cooling
Triumph Rocket Iii Engine problems by year
9 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Triumph Rocket Iii's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest Rocket Iii engine complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 triumph rocket iii. The contact stated while driving 25 mph upward on a hill, the motor vehicle made a loud noise. The failure recurred multiple times and there were issues with the vehicle staying in gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and multiple repairs were made and updates to the vehicle. However, the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000. Updated 4/20/15*cn
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
The timing chain has started making a rattle and it sounds like it is going to break. After googling it I found out that hundreds of other owners have had the chain break causing complete engine destruction. Some have had the motor seize causing loss of control. The cost of repairing this is very high and apparently triumph chooses to let the machines fail after the warranty expires so that they can charge the consumer for the repairs. *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...
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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 along until the warranty expired. I for 1 can not believe that after more that 100 complaints from every website/forum/national complaint board or where ever else you read about this same problem that triumph is not held responsible for this!!!!!! If there is any other rocket 3 owners out there that would like to look into a class action suit against triumph america please contact to prove this action we would have to provide beyond a reasonable doubt the failure of triumph to rectify this poor standard of workmanship of its "flagship" motorcycle !. Hey nhtsa are you guys/girls hearing any of what is being said here or across the web. Triumph knew about the substandard engine parts it used in 05 rockets changed / upgraded them on there newer models, blew smoke up all of the 05 owners butts until our warranty's were up and now are charging us unbelievable amounts of money to keep our mostly un-paid off bikes on the road. I guess that's one way of covering the cost of the upgrades that the lucky/ smart ones are enjoying now....P.S. The guys at trebour have been very professional / understanding and I believe there hands are tied by triumph. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 triumph rocket iii. The contact stated that the output shaft bearing was installed backwards. This causes the bearing not to receive oil, the output shaft to stop turning, locks the rear tire, and the upper shaft creates a hole in the engine. Furthermore, the failure causes the engine to lose oil and the rear tire to become slippery. The manufacturer is aware of the failure and are repairing the vehicles that were sold overseas, not the ones sold in the united states. The...
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manufacturer would not assist because the contact took the vehicle apart, which was not covered under warranty. The engine size and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 22,000. Updated 03/11/08. *Lj
Lower timing chain sprocket failure. Destroying engine,and possibly locking rear tire at speed. *Jb
I have a triumph rocket iii motorcycle. 2005 Model year bought it in oct of 2004. It came with a two year unlimited miles warranty. After owning for about one year I started to developed engine noise/vibration, I took it to the dealer/service center where I bought it and they kept denying that it had a problem and that they couldn't detect the noise or vibration. I took it to another local triumph dealer/service center for the same issue, they had it for over two weeks, and they claimed they could not detect any...
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noise or vibration, and they charged me shop rate fees for the assessment, claiming that since they could not find anything then they could not write it up as a warranty claim. Now my two year warranty period is over and now the vibration is so bad it can now be determined that it is a problem with the crankshaft sprocket to the timing chain. And they want over 1500 dollars just for parts. It is known to be a common problem with this engine. My inquiry into this problem with other rocket iii owners revealed that triumph is aware of a specific lot of timing chain sprockets that were substandard. My contention is that this problem with my bike should be covered under a recall, or under a extension of warranty for circumstances as described above. Of the many owners that I know that have had this part fail it will take out the chain and both camshafts will stop turning and bend all of the valves and in some cases it has broken the pistons. I believe my engine should be fixed by triumph before it becomes a catastrophic failure. Right now I can still ride it, but I feel that it could break at any time, and it can lock up the engine/cause crash, but I am only hoping that a recall or admission of responsibility will come. I am still paying $363 dollars a month for this thing and cannot fathom that I should have to fund this mistake on their part. No pun intended. Thanks.... *Tr
Timing chain, sprockets, blades and tensioner are constructed and engineered under substandard guidelines causing failure of one or all timing components and engine failure which could result in the loss of vehicle control and cause a vehicle crash. Triumph has updated the design and construction of these components in later model years but has not issued a recall for the earlier years containing the faulty components. Instances of failure have occurred anywhere from 1,000 to 35,000 miles on the vehicle and has...
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been documented numerously on triumph rocket iii owners group websites under the term "paint can rattle" as the sound that is produced by the failing components sounds similar to the ball bearing rattle inside a spray can of paint. Several failures have happened outside of manufacturer warranty and the rebuild cost of $2,000+ has been pushed on to the customer. It is understandable that a timing chain is a consumable item much like tires and brakes but complete sprocket and engine failure should not be considered consumable. *Tr
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data