VehicleVerdict

2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Rocket Iii Touring years?

Rocket Iii Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted6 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 0 complaints2011: 1 complaints2014: 1 complaints
Rocket Iii Touring NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rocket Iii Touring years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission350%
Speed Control233%
Engine117%

Does the 2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09T004000Tires & WheelsMarch 31, 2009 · 1,018 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

08V686000Body & StructureDecember 19, 2008 · 8 units

Defect

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

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.

Remedy

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

08V145000OtherMarch 26, 2008 · 356 units

Defect

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).

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.

Remedy

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

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 5, 2009

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 17, 2014

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 17, 2014

2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring — common questions

Is the 2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Triumph Rocket Iii Touring. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.