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Triumph

2013 Triumph THUNDERBIRD

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Triumph THUNDERBIRD has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: while driving down long steady hills with closed or partial throttle, the engine backfires, stalls, and would no longer respond to the throttle. in two cases, the engine would restart after turning the ignition off and back on while still moving. in another instance, repeated attempts had to be made.

7

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

2 complaints
29%
  • • WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE
  • • 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 ACCOUNTE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

2 complaints
29%
  • • MOTORCYCLE HAS DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED CARBON FIBER BELT DRIVE SYSTEM. BELT CAN EASILY BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BELT EDGE TO BE WORN AWAY, CAUSING BELT TO SNAP AT HIGH SPEED. BASIC PROBLEMS INCLUDE AN INADEQUATE ADJUSTING MECHANISM AND A CUSTOM BLENDED COATING ON THE DRIVE PULLEY T
  • • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MOTORCYCLE HAS DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED CARBON FIBER BELT DRIVE SYSTEM. BELT CAN EASILY BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BELT EDGE TO BE WORN AWAY, CAUSING BELT TO SNAP AT HIGH SPEED. BASIC PROBLEMS INCLUDE AN INADEQUATE ADJUSTING MECHANISM AND A CUSTOM BLENDED COATING ON THE DRIVE PULLEY T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints
14%
  • • WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaints
14%
  • • WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

1 complaints
14%
  • • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: MOTORCYCLE HAS DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED CARBON FIBER BELT DRIVE SYSTEM. BELT CAN EASILY BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BELT EDGE TO BE WORN AWAY, CAUSING BELT TO SNAP AT HIGH SPEED. BASIC PROBLEMS INCLUDE AN INADEQUATE ADJUSTING MECHANISM AND A CUSTOM BLENDED COATING ON THE DRIVE PULLEY T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Triumph THUNDERBIRD — Year Comparison

How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2013
7Excellent Reliability
2010
10Excellent Reliability
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2013 Triumph THUNDERBIRD

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