What Triumph Bonneville owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Triumph Bonneville safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 87 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 97 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 97 |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 120 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 102 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 101 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Triumph Bonneville complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The Rinder manufactured amber lenses on all four indicator lights severely cracked during removal and reinstallation. The lenses must be rotated off the indicator base to change the light bulb. It is extremely difficult to remove the lens without an excessive amount of force. The rim of the lens that mates to the body of the indicator becomes so damaged during the removal and reinstallation process that the lens will not stay attached unless taped or glued. The lens should be designed to remove and reinstall easily and securely since bulb maintenance is a critical safety issue. This issue is noted by many Bonneville owners on various internet forums.
I am experiencing a common issue with this vehicle wherein the regulator/rectifier plug begins leaking oil. This is due to the stator being completely submerged in oil in the engine and the seal on the cables breaking down over time. The oil is then able to wick up the cables and leak out of the plug connecting the stator to the rectifier. As this oil drips, it falls directly into the path of the rear tire which could potentially cause a loss of traction. Triumph has yet to issue a recall on this well-documented issue affecting a large number of their bikes.
The bike will no longer downshift reliably. This jeopardizes the rider because the inability to select a lower gear to slow the motorcycle using engine braking and when arriving at a traffic light or an intersection that requires a lower gear to pull out from a stop safely into traffic. This has not been verified yet by a professional but I have an appointment in a few days from now (on August 5, 2025) with a local Triumph dealer to inspect and correct the issue. After some internet research, this downshifting issue/gearbox failure appears to be common among certain Triumph Bonneville models manufactured after a certain date. The bike did not and does not provide any indication when the…
The contact owns a 2023 Triumph Bonneville T120. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V785000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, there are no local dealers on the island to repair the recall. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine while starting the motorcycle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Triumph Bonneville T120 Black. The contact stated while the motorcycle was idling, the handlebars felt extremely hot to the touch before the motorcycle shut off. In addition, the headlights had overheated and melted. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
Shifter mechanism has failed suddenly and permanently for the third time. It was repaired under warranty the first two times.
1.) I would like to begin by saying that my bike is nearly brand new. Only just over 4k miles. So, the following problem is not in any way a result of the bike being an old or beaten down vehicle. The rear brake light and turn signals failed due to the cable that runs under the rear fender to the rear lights (being suspended by very weak and half attached thin metal tabs) becoming dislodged from their incredibly suspect holding tabs and rubbing on the tire. Thus, stripping and destroying the cable. This is available for inspection upon request. The way the cable is attached is the crux of the complaint I am making. It is unfathomable how this could have not only been designed in the first pl…
The contact owns a 2017 Triumph Bonneville. The contact stated that while riding at an undisclosed speed, the motorcycle lost motive power while making turns. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness was faulty and needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who connected a split wire from the wiring harness; however, the failure recurred. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Daignostic software and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool 2026-07 and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool 2026-06.1 and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Triumph Diagnostic Tool version 2026-06 and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Technical Bulletin 264.
Technical Bulletin 264 provides instructions that relates to: Triumph Diagnostic Tool - New Motorcycle Connection and Diagnostics Workflow, Triumph Diagnostic Tool - End of Support for Microsoft Windows 10.
Dealer notice advising the availalbility of TDT version 2026-05.2 which resolves the ABS as Not Connected issues in SmartScan, on Tracker 400 & Thruxton 400 models.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Diagnostic software 2026-05.1 and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Dealer notice reminding of Motorcycle Cleaning, prohibited use of High-Pressure & Steam Cleaning equipment.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Diagnostic software 2026-04 and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Diagnostic software 2026-03 and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Dealer notice announcing the availability of Diagnostic software 2026-02 and dealers should begin using it immediately.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2026, owners most often name: electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, power train. 15 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.