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2000-2014 · 5 model years

Triumph Thunderbird Problems by year

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the Triumph Thunderbird across 5 model years, and it has 3 recalls. The 2010 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (7), while 2000 has far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the acceleration & cruise control, followed by the engine & cooling.

Most complaints for its age20107 complaints · 1 recallSee the 2010
Complaints
15
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Thunderbird complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20142100Engine & coolingC
20134000Engine & coolingC
20121100Acceleration & cruise controlC
20107100Acceleration & cruise controlF
20001000Acceleration & cruise controlA

Most common Thunderbird problems

Triumph Thunderbird recalls 3

Equipment

11V2770001,955 vehicles affected

Triumph is recalling certain model year 2010 thunderbird and thunderbird abs motorcycles manufactured from september 2009 through august 2010. These motorcycles were built with an incompatible thread locker/screw combination at the front fender mounting.

Latest Thunderbird complaints

2014 Triumph ThunderbirdTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise control

The contact owns a 2014 Triumph Thunderbird Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 60 MPH, the motorcycle lost motive power with the throttle control grip being activated. The contact waited for 20 minutes to restart the motorcycle however, the failure recurred. There was no warning light illuminated. The motorcycle was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The motorcycle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the motorcycle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11540156
2014 Triumph ThunderbirdEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 triumph thunderbird. While driving between 35-55 mph, the contact's motorcycle made an abnormal knocking noise. The noise was loud and a distraction. The vehicle was towed to southern california motorcycles (515 w lambert rd, brea, ca 92821, (714) 256-6700) to be diagnosed, but the test came back incomplete. The dealer stated that the motor was not as noisy as other motorcycles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that "the motor was not noisy enough". The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 9,100. The vin was invalid.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11221665
2013 Triumph ThunderbirdEngine & cooling

At 1st valve clearance inspection, it was discovered that the right-side exhaust decompression mechanism broke off of the camshaft and shattered, leaving metal pieces loose under the cam cover where they could potentially interfere with intake or exhaust valve operation. Not all pieces are accounted for. It is unknown when this damage occurred. The motorcycle was showing no signs of malfunction. An internet search turned up at least 7 similar incidents of the same part, same side on this make and model motorcycle, different years.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11207150
2013 Triumph ThunderbirdTransmission & drivetrainWheels & tires

Niose from rear drive hub and drive belt ;feeling like rear tire is loose but its been checked. Wearing rear tires out fast 2000miles a tire. When coming out of turn ill get a wiggle feels like something loose.Its been doing this ever sence new

Filed Incident Power train · WheelsNHTSA 11081821
2010 Triumph ThunderbirdSuspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 triumph thunderbird. The contact stated that the motorcycle made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alignment needed to be readjusted. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10904622
2010 Triumph ThunderbirdAcceleration & cruise control

Turning right from a side street onto a major road, I began accelerating and the throttle became inoperative, snapping immediately back to idle speed. Subsequent turning of the throttle grip had no effect. There was traffic on the major road that fortunately was able to slow down in response to my unexpected and sudden loss of speed. The attachment for the throttle cable snapped off of the throttle grip assembly. My grips were authentic oem triumph accessories - heated grips. Apparently, this is a not an...

Read the full complaint

infrequent failure. Triumph has superseded the original accessory kit with a later part number, but could not tell me if the supersession involved a material or design change for the throttle grip assembly. The throttle operated perfectly and then failed without any warning. There was no excessive freeplay in the throttle linkage, nor did it bind in any way prior to the failure.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10873654

Questions about the Triumph Thunderbird

Which Triumph Thunderbird years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2010 (7), 2013 (4), 2014 (2). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2010 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Triumph Thunderbird years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2000 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Thunderbird years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Triumph Thunderbird problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the acceleration & cruise control (6), engine & cooling (4), transmission & drivetrain (3) most often.

How many recalls does the Triumph Thunderbird have?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls across all Triumph Thunderbird model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

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

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