RoadVitals

2004 American Ironhorse Texas Chopper

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Aug 8, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 10, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 American Ironhorse Texas Chopper, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical233.3%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Exterior lighting116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Aug 10, 2004
2,170 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BATTERY (YTX24HL) COULD FAIL DURING OPERATION.
The risk: THE BATTERY FAILURE CAUSES THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE TO STOP SUDDENLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AMERICAN IRONHORSE AT 1-817-665-2074.
AMERICAN IRONHORSE MOTORCYCLE COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Dec 11, 2003
2,395 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL BRAKE ROTOR-CARRIERS,THE ROTOR-CARRIERS CAN CRACK WHILE IN SERVICE AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
The risk: THIS CAN CAUSE A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM OR THE POTENTIAL FOR ROTOR-CARRIER DETACHMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROTOR-CARRIER ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 26, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AMERICAN IRONHORSE AT 1-817-665-2045.
AMERICAN IRONHORSE MOTORCYCLE COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Aug 8, 2007

GREETINGS, MY SPEEDO/TACH ALL-IN-ONE UNIT ON MY 2004 AMERICAN IRONHORSE TEXAS CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE HAS FAILED TWO SEPARATE TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR FOR UNKNOWN MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. IN OCT. 2007, I HAD TO REPLACE THE MY ORIGINAL UNIT THROUGH AIH FOR A NEW SPEEDO/TACH HEAD UNIT FOR APPROX. $900.00. ON MY SECOND RIDE OF THIS SEASON, MY "NEW" UNIT COMPLETELY FAILED AGAIN RESULTING IN THE PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATION THROUGH AIH OF ANOTHER NEW UNIT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS AND AIH PROFESSIONALS EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ON AIH'S R&D PITFALLS WITH THIS OLD SPEEDO/TACH SETUP/SYSTEM! ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE SENT NUMEROUS EMAILS TO AIH TO CORRECT MY UNIQUE PROBLEM WITH NO RESPONSE AND/OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN REF. TO THEIR ASSISTANCE AND A POSSIBLE GOOD-FAITH WARRANTY. YOUR AGENCY IS MY LAST HOPE, PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN...CHAD E. WILLIAMS *TR

NHTSA ID
10198825
Incident
Jul 4, 2007
Mileage
2,700 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 IRONHORSE TEXAS CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE AND DISCOVERED THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE WAS WASHED, THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER AGAIN REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER. AFTERWARDS, THE MOTORCYCLE WAS WASHED AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER REPLACEMENT OF THE SPEEDOMETER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF WATER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS AWARE OF A NEW DESIGN EFFORT BY THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10150893
Incident
Feb 22, 2006
Mileage
4,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 2, 2005

I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING CONDITION FIXED AT MY DEALERSHIP, BUT THE NEW SWITCH THEY PUT IN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. BELOW IS A COPY OF THE CORRESPONDENCE I SENT TO THE MFG. I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE HI BEAM LAMP SWITCH ON MY 04 TX CHOPPER. THE 2005 AIH'S DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND I ASSUMED IT HAS BEEN FIXED, AND MY HARLEY DAVIDSON DID NOT OPERATE LIKE THIS. I AM BECOMING FRUSTRATED AND THIS IS MY LAST ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY BEFORE CONTACTING THE DOT. I WORK IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND FEEL THIS ISSUE HAS POTENTIAL SAFETY AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS. MY OLD DEALERSHIP WAS AMERICAN CYCLE MART IN WATERFORD, MI AND I AM RELOCATING TO THE INDIANAPOLIS AREA. I WILL DO MY BEST TO DESCRIBE MY CONCERN HERE: WHEN YOU SWITCH UP TO HIGH BEAMS, THE TRANSITION IS CLEAN AND AS EXPECTED. THE ISSUE IS WHEN SWITCH DOWN TO LOW BEAMS. IF YOU PARTIALLY DEPRESS THE BUTTON, BUT NOT FAR ENOUGH TO REACH THE TRANSITION WHERE IT CLICKS OVER TO LOW, THE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT COMPLETELY. THE MAIN REASON I NOTICED IS DUE TO WEARING HEAVY GLOVES DURING COLDER WEATHER (I JUST TOOK DELIVERY OF THE BIKE THIS NOVEMBER) THAT PREVENTED ME FROM FULLY ACTUATING THE SWITCH IMMEDIATELY. MY HEADLIGHT WAS OFF ONLY FOR A MOMENT, BUT THAT MOMENT IS SCARY TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN TOTAL DARKNESS. I AM SURE THAT PROPER OPERATION SHOULD BE EITHER HI OR LOW BEAM ONLY, AND NO "OFF" CONDITION. IT SEEMS THAT THE SWITCH CONTACT ACTION IS NOT IN TIME WITH THE SPRING DETENT (IT SHOULD NOT BREAK CONTACT TO THE "HI" CIRCUIT UNTIL THE PAST THE SWITCH DETENT AND THE "LOW CONTACT IS STARTING TO CLOSE.) THE WORSE CASE SCENARIO SHOULD BE THAT BOTH HI AND LOW ARE AT THE SAME TIME FOR A BRIEF INSTANT. IF I CLICK TO LOW WITH A SOLID AND QUICK ACTION, THE LIGHT PAUSE IS NOT SO PERCEPTIBLE. BUT, I MUST MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO DO SO. *JB

NHTSA ID
10131180
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Mileage
5 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 29, 2005

REF: MY 2004 AMERICAN IRONHORSE TEXAS CHOPPER W/ 111 S&S ENGINE I AM WRITING YOU TO INFORM YOU OF A PRESISTENT PROBLEM THAT I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY "HIGH DOLLAR" FACTORY PRODUCED MOTORCYCLE. THE BIKE IS CONSTANTLY STALLING AT LOW RPM'S AND AT PROLONGED RED LIGHT SIGNALS. THE BIKE WILL CUT OFF WITH NO ANTICIPATED SIGN, BUT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP ONCE THE START BUTTON IS PUSHED. THIS WILL HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES DURING A 200-300 MILE RIDE! I HAVE TO "FLUTTER" THE THROTTLE TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING AND FROM IT SHUTTING OFF ON ME. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF MOTORCYCLE. I HAD RECENTLY COME ACROSS ANOTHER RIDER WHO IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TYPE OF SAFETY-RELATED ISSUE. THE INTERNET SITE IS... HTTP://WWW.POWERSPORTSNETWORK.COM/ENTHUSIASTS/QUESTION_LIST.ASP?VEH=7800&QUEST=12411 HE STATES "MY 2004 TEXAS CHOPPER STALLS CONSTANTLY - TWENTY TIMES ON A 23 MILE RIDE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHANGED THE PUCK AND IGNITOR BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP - THE NEW PARTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE - IT STILL KEPT STALLING WHEN THE MECHANIC TEST RODE IT. APPARENTLY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ANOTHER 2004 TEXAS CHOPPER AS WELL. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IF SO WHAT DID YOU HAVE DONE TO FIX IT?" DAVE - 03/30/2004 CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER IN TERMS OF GETTING REARENDED AT "STOP TO START" INTERSECTIONS AND/OR THE BIKE SHUTTING OFF WHILE IN TRANSIT IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR CAUSING A PERSONAL INJURY COLLISION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PROFESSIONAL CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER...CHAD

NHTSA ID
10115990
Incident
Mar 16, 2005
Electrical
Filed Apr 9, 2004

NEW MOTORCYCLE HAS 9 MONTH OLD BATTERY THAT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE HAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR GUAGE TO INDICATE FAILED BATTERY FACTORY WILL NOT RESPOND TO COMPLAINT. VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY INFORMATION OR OWNERS MANUAL BEING AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
10065852
Incident
Apr 4, 2004
Mileage
900 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2004

NHTSA RECALL 03V521000 CONCERNING BRAKE ROTORS. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON FEBRUARY 2,2004, AND THE DEALER ORDERED THE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PARTS WOULD ARRIVE BY MARCH 15,2004. THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10063250

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

American Ironhorse Texas Chopper by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007100
2005510
2004Viewing620
2003410
2002110

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.