The 2005 Triumph Rocket Iii has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 6,690 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, WHEN THE ENGINE IS RETURNING TO IDLE IT MAY STALL.
IF THE MOTORCYCLE STALLS, THE RIDER WILL HAVE TO RESTART THE ENGINE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND DOWNLOAD NEW ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 678-854-2010.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DAMAGE TO THE OIL SEAL OCCURRED DURING FINAL ASSEMBLY. ONCE DAMAGED SOME OF THE OIL IN THE DRIVE UNIT COULD ESCAPE PAST THE SEAL.
IF UNDETECTED THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT COULD RUN LOW OF OIL AND SEIZE CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FINAL DRIVE UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 678-854-2010.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“The rocket iii has a known history of ignition failure and total electrical failure. The bike will simply turn off, often in the process of steering. The triumph rat forums are full of stories highlighting this problem, and my bike alone has had the ignition switch replaced multiple times, but…”
“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”
“At app. 8,500 miles going down the interstate motor just shut off. In the past year several times the instrument panel was not working. Switched bike off then back on started working. Took it to the local triumph dealer today. Owner said it was the ignition switch was failing. Told me $400.00 plus…”
“I was riding my motorcycle to work. The ignition failed, causing the engine to quit momentarily. This problem happened on the way home, then again in the parking lot on the way into work the next morning. That evening, the engine wouldn't start at all. It turned out to be a loose solder joint in…”
“Transmission linkage disconnects in side transso you either get stuck in gear or neutral 2nd time this happned. *tr”
“Bike jumps out of 2nd gear or wont go into 3rd, almost got runover. The sounds from the engine appear to be like a paint can rattle. There was a recall for the rear drive locking down and the idle stalling in traffic. *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…”
“Lower timing chain sprocket failure. Destroying engine,and possibly locking rear tire at speed. *jb”
FOLLOWING OUR OPENING OF THIS PE AND SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS WITH TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES LTD, THE COMPANY DECIDED TO LAUNCH A SAFETY-RELATED RECALL OF ALL ROCKET III MODEL MOTORCYCLES TO ADDRESS OCCURRENCES OF SUDDEN AND UN-FORESEEN TIP-OUT STALLING.THIS ACTION WAS TAKEN IN LIEU OF RESPONDING TO NHTSA'S INFORMATION…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Triumph Rocket Iii as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.