- The problem
- On some motorcycles, under certain assembly conditions, the electrical power supply cable to the starter motor may come into direct contact with the oil cooler return pipe. This could cause the insulation on the starter cable to degrade.
- The risk
- Should the starter motor cable insulation become worn, a 12-volt electrical short would occur, increasing the risk of a fire or not allowing the motorcycle to start.
- The fix
- Dealers will examine the cable for signs of contact with the oil cooler pipe. The cable will be re-positioned. The recall began november 20, 2004. Owners should contact triumph at 1-678-854-2010.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Triumph Speedmaster Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (2). Those complaints describe 2 crashes. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in June 2004 for the starter assembly. For comparison, the 2002 has 0 and the 2004 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Speedmaster year, for its age
#342 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Triumph Speedmaster problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Triumph Speedmaster recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, if the motorcycle is dropped onto the left side, air may enter the rear brake master cylinder reservoir.
- The risk
- If left unattended, the rear brake may not operate, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will reposition the rear brake master cylinder reservoir. Owner notification began on december 31, 2003. Owners should contact triumph at 1-678-854-2010.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Amended:correction. I wrecked my 2003 triumph speedmaster in october 2003. The drag bars on the front puts a rider forward over the gas tank. The front shocks are too weak for the massive dual front brakes and the front springs give too much and travel about 8" pushing the driver over the handlebars. I fell and broke 2 ribs and the engine kept running and it tore up the engine. Triumph wouldn't fix the engine under warranty because I fell on the bike and I had to pay the 2650.00 Engine repair myself. These bikes...
Read the full complaint
have a design flaw in that it keeps running when fallen over and,the travel on the front shocks must be at least 8" with the too powerful front dual brakes. The geometry of the bike pushes the larger rider over the handlebars because of the force created by the diving front end with the driver over the gas tank because of the drag bars. It is a poor and defective design.This is a date correction from an original complaint. *Ak
2003 Triumph speedmaster weak shocks on the front nose dive and travel over 8 inches with the powerful dual front brakes. The drag bars on the front put the rider up over the gas tank. When hitting the powerful brakes it puts the rider in the position of being on a downwards slope and if he weighs over 200 pounds gravity pushes the driver forward over the handllbars as he's traveling downhill based on the geometry of the bike.I went over the handlebars and broke two ribs at a 2mph emergency stop.Also, the bike has no kill switch and it keeps running and it damaged the left bearing on the engine.*Ak
Triumph Speedmaster: every year compared
All Speedmaster years2003 Triumph Speedmaster vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Triumph Speedmaster | 2 | 2 | F | |
| 2003 Triumph Bonneville America | 4 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Triumph Bonneville | 4 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Triumph Speed Four | 2 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Triumph Sprint ST | 1 | 1 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster
Does the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster: starter assembly (June 2004); master cylinder (December 2003). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (2).
How many complaints has the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 16, 2004 and the latest on April 16, 2004. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Triumph Speedmaster a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 11 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Triumph Speedmaster year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Triumph Speedmaster years have the most complaints?
2003 (2), 2009 (1). See every Triumph Speedmaster year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Triumph Speedmaster has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data