RoadVitals

2003 Bigdog 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.
11
Latest Jun 20, 2005
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.
3
Latest Nov 2, 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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Bigdog Chopper, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Body & structure763.6%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Fuel system19.1%
  • Tires & wheels19.1%

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

3 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
04V523000

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

Nov 2, 2004
4,457 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE KICKSTAND SPRING ATTACHING STUD MAY BREAK OFF ALLOWING THE KICKSTAND TO DEPLOY INTO THE EXTENDED POSITION.
The risk: IF THE KICKSTAND DEPLOYS, IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A NEW KICKSTAND UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
03V535000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Dec 18, 2003
1,446 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES ASSEMBLED WITH AN EARLY VERSION ROLLING THUNDER FRAME, A STRESS CRACK COULD EMERGE IN THE FRAME.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
03V230000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Jun 23, 2003
845 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL TANK MOUNT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TANK TO FAIL WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL SPILLAGE.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FUEL TANK AND SHIP IT TO BIG DOG FOR REPAIR. BIG DOG WILL RE-WELD THE MOUNT, REPAIR THE PAINT, AND RETURN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR RE-INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-6584.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 20, 2005

THE RUBBER PEELED OFF OF THE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT THE PROBLEM WAS CONCLUDED AS A MOLD CLOSURE ISSUE. *SC

NHTSA ID
10115079
Incident
Jan 10, 2004
Mileage
300 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2005

ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURNS SIGNALS FAILED. DEALER HAS KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SIX WEEKS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117753
Incident
Feb 28, 2005
Mileage
2,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 11, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO REPAIR AND REINFORCE THE FRAME. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER GARY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10067105
Incident
Apr 20, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Apr 5, 2004

NHTSA 03V535000/FRAME CRACKS. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON JANUARY AND CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT IT WOULD TAKE THREE MONTHS FOR THEM TO FIX THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10066582
Body & structure
Filed Apr 1, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V535000, CONCERNING FRAME CRACKS. DEALER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 30, 2004. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10065404
Incident
Jan 30, 2004
Mileage
976 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 31, 2004

CONSUMER BELIEVE HIS MOTORCYCLE QUALIFIED AS A LEMON DUE TO A CRACKED GAS TANK AT THE REAR MOUNTING PLATE. *PH CONSUMER DEMANDING FULL REFUND OF DOWN PAYMENT, SIX MONTHLY PAYMENTS, AND FULL PAY OFF FROM LOAN. *LA

NHTSA ID
10066608
Mileage
41 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 26, 2004

DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CONSUMER'S MOTORCYCLE 2 MONTHS AND 3 WEEKS AGO TO DELIVER IT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE FRAME CRACK RECALL 03V535000 REPAIRS PERFORMED. RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED YET BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT RECEIVE THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10065001
Incident
Jan 12, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Mar 24, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL DEBRIS WHICH CAUSED THE KICK STAND TO BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED, THE DRIVER HAD LEFT THE KICK STAND OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10064814
Incident
Oct 25, 2003

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SB-1099

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE: FUEL TANK VENT MAY BECOME FLOODED WITH FUEL, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO RUN POORLY DUE TO A FUEL MIXTURE THAT IS TOO RICH. *PE

1088

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

HORN HARNESS WIRES MAY BREAK. *TT

1044

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

BELT AND CHASSIS ISSUES. DRIVE BELT NOISE,DRIVE BELT RATCHETING, SWING ARM TO FRAME CONTACT. BIGDOG SERVICE BULLETIN W/T ATTACHMENTS A-H. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2003 BIG DOG PITBULL, RIDGEBACK AND DAYTEC CHOPPER. *EH

1031

STRUCTURE:BODY

POSSIBLE CONTACT OF FENDER STRUT AND SWINGARM. *TT

1028

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

2003 CHOPPER TANK MOUNT UPGRADE. *MR

1032

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2003 INNER PRIMARY LEAKING AT RECESSED AREA. *MR

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Bigdog Chopper by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008000—
2007010—
2006060—
2005570—
2004106144.7
2003Viewing113048.2

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.