Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
541.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
541.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
216.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2016peak 6Oct 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2016 Triumph Thruxton
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE21017) on July 9, 2021 for model year (MY) 2016-2019 Triumph Thruxton and Speed Triple model motorcycles based on allegations of loss of front braking performance.Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) indicated riders were experiencing a soft front brake lever that could result in an unexpected extended stopping distance. On July 28, 2021, ODI sent an Information Request letter to Triumph to learn more about the subject components and alleged defect.On September 24, 2021, Triumph submitted its response, which ODI anal...
Recalls on the 2016 Triumph Thruxton
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2020011454 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain motorcycles, the spring for the side stand could break. This could allow the side stand to drop while riding. If this happens, the side stand switch can engage and cause the engine to stall suddenly. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Triumph will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your motorcycle to a dealer to install a new side stand spring with a rubber sleeve.
Recall 201923382 units in Canada
Accessories
Issue: This recall is for accessory "Café Racer" fairing kits sold as optional or aftermarket equipment for certain motorcycles. The two conduits that position the wiring harness within the fairing may have insufficient clearance. This could result in damage to the wiring, potentially leading to an engine stall and/or loss of the headlight and/or turn signals. Safety Risk: A loss of lighting or a sudden engine stall could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the wire conduits.
Recall 2018060373 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain motorcycles, the engine management software may not maintain a stable engine idle when the throttle is opened and closed quickly, with the clutch disengaged. This could result in the engine stalling, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the engine management software.
Recall 2016539751 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain motorcycles, the wiring sealing material of the fuel pump mounting plate could become damaged. This could allow for fuel to escape from the fuel tank and travel along the wiring toward the sub harness to the main harness connector, possibly resulting in an electrical short. This could lead to a fire, which could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install a revised wiring harness.
Recall 201651712 units in Canada
Accessories
*** This notice is provided for information purposes only as the subject equipment is not regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act *** A safety defect may exist in some aftermarket front brake levers. In certain adjustment levels, the brake lever blade may contact the handlebar grip, which would not allow for maximum brake performance. This would increase stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Triumph dealers will identify and contact affected owners and arrange for a replacement brake lever.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Beaverton, OR
SERVICE BRAKES
the front brakes are inconsistent when engaged. the first squeeze of the brakes are spongy and almost completely squeeze down and then subsequent braking with completely clamp in 1”. The problem does not go away even after bleeding the brakes. This has occurred since ownership of over 1 year. I only came across other owners with the same issue after a google search and there is an forum thread on the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11620724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoyt Lakes, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The wire harness has torn under ignition. The traction control stops working, needles bounce, and at times will not start. The wire pulls when the handlebars are turned to the right. I brought it to Moto primo to have it fixed. There was a recall for this issue and they want to charge me over $700 for an issue that they are obviously aware of. I had the bike in AZ over last winter and brought it in on a different recall. Moto primo said that the dealer looked at the issue in Phoenix but did not replace the part. They told me that I have to deal with the dealer in Phoenix which is 1800 miles away. This is a very dangerous thing. The needles initially started bouncing when I was driving from Phoenix to Minneapolis. It was doing it again when I was in MN. I went to blogs and read that there were issues where the wires stretch and tear when the bars are turned to the right. I looked at the wiring and it was torn and stretches when the bars were turned.
NHTSA complaint #11495521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thorton, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes feel spongy or grinding at times. The grip on the front brakes is not good.
NHTSA complaint #11468569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bend, OR
SERVICE BRAKES
The front brake requires a first 'pump' to become effective. On subsequent application the brakes work as expected. After a short time I need to 'pump' the brake again (when first applying the brakes I can almost pull the lever to the grip). This is a known problem on many owner forums. Due to the safety hazard this should really be addressed.
NHTSA complaint #11462976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mexico City, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
Very time I push the front breaks, it feel spongy. First push the leveler goes almost all way down. It becomes more firm once you push it two or three time more, however, it vanishes after that. I took it to the dealer but they said that the breaks are working good. I have also changed the break fluid and bled the system according to the maintenance schedule but it has not worked at all. I have read on Triumph groups that this has been existing problems on Thruxton and speed triple models between 2016-2020. However, Thriumph hasn’t published a recall for it. It has been a serious safety problem on my bike. Fortunately, I have not had a serious accident but I had some close calls. I am writing from Mexico City, Mexico. Thanks and regards
NHTSA complaint #11430365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
Front brake lever has an issue wherein it is soft and requires multiple pulls or deploys to full engage resulting in both inconsistent and unsafe operation. It has been ongoing and apparently widespread with other owners and not something repair shops have been able to localize or remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11428977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penn Valley, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
I have had this motorcycle since new in 2016 and have put 20,000 miles on it. It has for most of its life had a problem with the brembo front brakes where they do not fully engage until you pump the brake lever twice. I had taken it to the dealer multiple times while under warranty and had the brake fluid replaced and bled multiple times. While inititially the new fluid helps, nothing seems to be a permanent fix and the problem returns. More recently I had the front brake calipers disassembled, cleaned, fluids changed and it is still just as bad as ever. I had to replace the stock brake lever with one that is adjustable to get more leverage so that the brake lever does not bottom out against the handlebar. When that happens you need to quickly pump the brakes to actually stop. It can be very scary. The service manager at my local Triumph dealer apologized that they were not able to make the brakes work properly. Also with very inconsistent brake response it can be challenging to properly judge stopping distances and required reaction times.
NHTSA complaint #11428493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
The front brake lever first pull has always been soft, since the motorcycle was new. The second pull is firm and as one would expect. I brought the motorcycle to the dealer where I purchased it and had them inspect the brakes and perform a bleed operation, which I had to pay for. The technician found nothing wrong and there was no change in the first brake pull. This issue remains to the present day.
NHTSA complaint #11426874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2 milesSeattle, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN USING THE FRONT BRAKE, I HAVE TO PRESS THE LEVER IN ONCE, THEN PRESS IT A SECOND TIME TO EXPERIENCE ITS PROPER BRAKING POTENTIAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE OWNING THE BIKE. I'VE NOTICED HOW JERKY THE BRAKE WOULD REACT. VERY "SQUISHY" WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE LEVER FIRST PUMP, THEN REACTS IMMEDIATELY WITH SUBSEQUENT BRAKE PUMPING. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM TO ME, MY BIKE OR SOMEONE ELSE.
NHTSA complaint #11387984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 800 milesPalmetto, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
THE FIRST SQUEEZE OF THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS SOFT AND MUSHY. WHEN RELEASED AND SQUEEZED AGAIN, THE LEVER FIRMS UP AND HAS LESS TRAVEL. THE FRONT BRAKE IS INCONSISTENT AND THUS DANGEROUS. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM IN ALL RIDING SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11388116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesAnderson, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKES DO NOT HAVE PRESSURE ON THE FIRST PULL. THE PRESSURE IS BUILT BY PUMPING THE BRAKE LEVER BUT WILL THEN LOSE PRESSURE AGAIN WITHIN 15 MINUTES. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THE BRAKES COULD TAKE TOO LONG TO ENGAGE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL 2016-2019 TRIUMPH THRUXTON 1200 R MOTORCYCLES.
NHTSA complaint #11388167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,800 milesKaty, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
MY 2016 TRIUMPH THRUXTON R HAS ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE FRONT BRAKE. SINCE PURCHASING THE MOTORCYCLE I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHILE RIDING IT AND COMING TO A STOP USING THE FRONT BRAKE IT DOES NOT STOP AS EFFECTIVELY AS IT SHOULD. UPON GRABBING THE FRONT BRAKE AND SQUEEZING THE LEVER THE BRAKE IS SLOW TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE AND HAS A SPONGY FEELING. HOWEVER, WHEN I DOUBLE PUMP THE BRAKE (OR SQUEEZE THE LEVER ONCE, RELEASE, AND SQUEEZE IT IN A SECOND TIME) THE BRAKE IS INSTANT AND QUICK TO BRAKE AND STOP THE MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT BRANDS OF BRAKE FLUID AS WELL AS BLEEDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS. NONE OF WHICH HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. MY ONLY CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THIS. IF I WERE TO GRAB THE BRAKE LEVER ONE TIME IN AN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATION I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP AS EFFECTIVELY COMPARED TO DOUBLE PUMPING THE BRAKES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES WHILE APPROACHING RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS AND IS AN EVERY TIME OCCURRENCE WHILE RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. IN SUMMATION THE INITIAL BRAKE GRAB PROVES TO BE SLOW TO BRAKE AND SPONGY IN FEEL. WHILE RELEASING THE INITIAL BRAKE GRAB AND GRABBING THE BRAKE LEVER AGAIN PROVES TO MUCH GREATER STOPPING POWER AND SAFER BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #11387901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesPlano, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
OPERATION OF THE BRAKES IS INCONSISTENT AND UNSAFE. ON FIRST APPLICATION, IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM SO THE BRAKE LEVER HAS TO BE SQUEEZED ALMOST COMPLETELY BACK TO THE HANDLEBAR BEFORE THE BRAKES APPLY. ON SUBSEQUENT APPLICATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE SYSTEM FEELS PRESSURIZED AND LEVER PULL AND BRAKE APPLICATION BECOME NORMAL. THE PATTERN REPEATS AGAIN AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN APPLIED FOR A SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS OCCURS WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE MOVING OR AT A STANDSTILL.
NHTSA complaint #11387969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesCathedral City, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES ARE SOFT AT FIRST PULL. SECOND HARDENS. THEY SEEM VERY MUSHY AND UNSAFE MOST OF THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11387973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,100 milesSAN Francisco, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE HAD 3 SIDE STAND SPRINGS FAIL DURING THIS CALENDAR YEAR 2020, IN LESS THAN 3,000 TOTAL MILES. 2 OF THE FAILED SPRINGS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED PARTS FROM A TRIUMPH INTERNAL SAFETY BULLETIN REPLACEMENT. THIS LAST SPRING FAILED 900 MILES AFTER IT WAS INSTALLED ONLY A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. ALL INSTALLATIONS WERE DONE BY THE AUTHORIZED TRIUMPH DEALERSHIP. ALL 3 OF THE SPRING FAILURES OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, TOP GEAR, IN TRAFFIC - WHEN IT FAILS, IT ACTIVATES A KILL SWITCH THAT CUTS POWER TO THE MOTOR, LEAVING ME IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AT SPEED WITH A NON-RESPONSIVE MOTORCYCLE. AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, I EMAILED TRIUMPH AFTER SALES CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM AND THEIR HEAD OF CUSTOMER SERVICE PETER CARLEO, MY EMAIL WAS NOT RESPONDED TO, I REPLIED AGAIN - AND NO RESPONSE. I HAVE NOW EMAILED THEM A THIRD TIME. MY DEALERSHIP SAID TODAY AFTER INSTALLING THE 4TH SPRING ON MY BIKE THIS YEAR THAT THEY CALLED TRIUMPH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WERE DISMISSED AND THAT I AM ON MY OWN TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN TRAFFIC 3X DUE TO A SIDE STAND SPRING, A $6 PART FAILING 3X. THIS IS THE MOST SIMPLE OF PARTS AND ONE THAT IN MY 13 YEARS OF RIDING NEARLY EVERY DAY ON 3 DIFFERENT TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES, I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED BEFORE. TRIUMPH NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND RECTIFY THIS ISSUE COMPLETELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED - IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY. MY SPRINGS FAILED ON 1/30/20, 6/17/20 AND 11/28/20, OVER THE COURSE OF LESS THAN 3,000 MILES TRAVELLED.
NHTSA complaint #11376897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 900 milesChandler, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
THE FRONT BRAKE NEEDS TO BE "PUMPED UP" BY PRESSING AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE THE FULL POWER OF BRAKING IS APPLIED WHILE THE BIKE IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE SELLING DEALER AT LEAST ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11373122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,950 milesAnaheim, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
THE FRONT BRAKES SINCE THE BEGINNING HAVE FELT SPONGY AND I HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS WHEN I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES HARD, THE MOTORCYCLE STILL KEPT GOING I HAVE TO DOUBLE PUMP TO HAVE THEM ACTUALLY WORK PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #11366962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,200 milesSanta Monica, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
SOFT/SPONGY FRONT BRAKES WHILE RIDING.
NHTSA complaint #11366927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesEL Monte, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE A VERY SPONGY FEEL AND REQUIRE MULTIPLE PULLS OR 'PRIMER PULLS' FOR THE FRONT BRAKES TO ENGAGE CORRECTLY. IN EMERGENCY BRAKE SITUATIONS, I DO NOT GET FULL BRAKING POWER OUT OF THE FRONT BRAKES WHEN THE LEVER IS PULLED IN QUICKLY. THE LEVER GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE HANDLEBAR GRIP. DEALERS AND SHOPS HAVE TRIED BLEEDING MY BRAKES NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT THE LEVER RESPONSE DOES NOT IMPROVE. THEY ALL SUGGEST THAT I CHANGE THE WHOLE SYSTEM. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS ONLY MY BIKE UNTIL A COMMUNITY OF RIDERS WITH MY SAME BIKE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION, STAND STILL, STREET, HIGHWAY AND TURNING.
NHTSA complaint #11331149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millersville, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT DISPLAYS THE SPEED AND RPMS IS DIMLY LIT BECAUSE OF OPAQUE PAINT USED ON BACK OF BOARD CONTAINING THE NUMBERS. FOR RIDING AT NIGHT THE NUMBERS ARE TOO DIM TO READ DRIVING SPEED OR ENGINE SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #11005316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 600 milesOrlando, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
NEW MOTORCYCLE AND FIRST NIGHT OUT WITH IT. INSTRUMENT PANEL AT NIGHT IS NOT LEGIBLE. THE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER) IS TOO DIM TO BE ABLE TO READ THE NUMBERS MAKING IT IMPOSIBLE TO DETERMINE SPEED AND RPMS.
NHTSA complaint #10929830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.