Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
300 miles · Apr 16, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
AMENDED:CORRECTION. I WRECKED MY 2003 TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER IN OCTOBER 2003. THE DRAG BARS ON THE FRONT PUTS A RIDER FORWARD OVER THE GAS TANK. THE FRONT SHOCKS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE MASSIVE DUAL FRONT BRAKES AND THE FRONT SPRINGS GIVE TOO MUCH AND TRAVEL ABOUT 8" PUSHING THE DRIVER OVER THE HANDLEBARS. I FELL AND BROKE 2 RIBS AND …
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AMENDED:CORRECTION. I WRECKED MY 2003 TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER IN OCTOBER 2003. THE DRAG BARS ON THE FRONT PUTS A RIDER FORWARD OVER THE GAS TANK. THE FRONT SHOCKS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE MASSIVE DUAL FRONT BRAKES AND THE FRONT SPRINGS GIVE TOO MUCH AND TRAVEL ABOUT 8" PUSHING THE DRIVER OVER THE HANDLEBARS. I FELL AND BROKE 2 RIBS AND THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING AND IT TORE UP THE ENGINE. TRIUMPH WOULDN'T FIX THE ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I FELL ON THE BIKE AND I HAD TO PAY THE 2650.00 ENGINE REPAIR MYSELF. THESE BIKES HAVE A DESIGN FLAW IN THAT IT KEEPS RUNNING WHEN FALLEN OVER AND,THE TRAVEL ON THE FRONT SHOCKS MUST BE AT LEAST 8" WITH THE TOO POWERFUL FRONT DUAL BRAKES. THE GEOMETRY OF THE BIKE PUSHES THE LARGER RIDER OVER THE HANDLEBARS BECAUSE OF THE FORCE CREATED BY THE DIVING FRONT END WITH THE DRIVER OVER THE GAS TANK BECAUSE OF THE DRAG BARS. IT IS A POOR AND DEFECTIVE DESIGN.THIS IS A DATE CORRECTION FROM AN ORIGINAL COMPLAINT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10066275
300 miles · Apr 16, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
2003 TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER WEAK SHOCKS ON THE FRONT NOSE DIVE AND TRAVEL OVER 8 INCHES WITH THE POWERFUL DUAL FRONT BRAKES. THE DRAG BARS ON THE FRONT PUT THE RIDER UP OVER THE GAS TANK. WHEN HITTING THE POWERFUL BRAKES IT PUTS THE RIDER IN THE POSITION OF BEING ON A DOWNWARDS SLOPE AND IF HE WEIGHS OVER 200 POUNDS GRAVITY PUSHES …
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2003 TRIUMPH SPEEDMASTER WEAK SHOCKS ON THE FRONT NOSE DIVE AND TRAVEL OVER 8 INCHES WITH THE POWERFUL DUAL FRONT BRAKES. THE DRAG BARS ON THE FRONT PUT THE RIDER UP OVER THE GAS TANK. WHEN HITTING THE POWERFUL BRAKES IT PUTS THE RIDER IN THE POSITION OF BEING ON A DOWNWARDS SLOPE AND IF HE WEIGHS OVER 200 POUNDS GRAVITY PUSHES THE DRIVER FORWARD OVER THE HANDLLBARS AS HE'S TRAVELING DOWNHILL BASED ON THE GEOMETRY OF THE BIKE.I WENT OVER THE HANDLEBARS AND BROKE TWO RIBS AT A 2MPH EMERGENCY STOP.ALSO, THE BIKE HAS NO KILL SWITCH AND IT KEEPS RUNNING AND IT DAMAGED THE LEFT BEARING ON THE ENGINE.*AK
ON SOME MOTORCYCLES, UNDER CERTAIN ASSEMBLY CONDITIONS, THE ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY CABLE TO THE STARTER MOTOR MAY COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE OIL COOLER RETURN PIPE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE INSULATION ON THE STARTER CABLE TO DEGRADE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THE STARTER MOTOR CABLE INSULATION BECOME WORN, A 12-VOLT ELECTRICAL SHORT WOULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE OR NOT ALLOWING THE MOTORCYCLE TO START.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL EXAMINE THE CABLE FOR SIGNS OF CONTACT WITH THE OIL COOLER PIPE. THE CABLE WILL BE RE-POSITIONED. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 1-678-854-2010.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS DROPPED ONTO THE LEFT SIDE, AIR MAY ENTER THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF LEFT UNATTENDED, THE REAR BRAKE MAY NOT OPERATE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TRIUMPH AT 1-678-854-2010.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Triumph Speedmaster Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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