RoadVitals

2004 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.
10
Latest Aug 15, 2014
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.
6
Latest May 3, 2010
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.
1
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 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Bigdog Chopper, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and exterior lighting categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 10 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

  • Electrical541.7%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Exterior lighting216.7%
  • Powertrain (other)216.7%
  • Driver assistance18.3%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
10V180000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

May 3, 2010
1,895 units potentially affected
The defect: BIG DOG IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2004 CHOPPER, BULLDOG, RIDGEBACK, MASTIFF, BOXER, AND PITBULL MOTORCYCLES. THERE IS A POSSIBLE LOOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AND THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO VARIOUS COMPONENTS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A LOSS OF HEADLAMP FUNCTION OR A VEHICLE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: BIG DOG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
06V019000

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

Jan 25, 2006
9,726 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE KICKSTAND SPRING MAY STRETCH AND DETACH FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET OR THE KICKSTAND.
The risk: THIS WILL ALLOW THE KICKSTAND TO DEPLOY INTO THE EXTENDED POSITION AND CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW KICKSTAND SPRING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView 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

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ10002ClosedRecall Query

Motorcycle Stalling

Opened Jan 27, 2010
Closed May 10, 2010

This RQ was opened based on seemingly related owner complaints involving motorcycles outside the scope of 06V-301.During the course of subsequent discussions with the company, we learned that the earlier model year Big Dogs had a problem with the electronic harness control module connector that they'd previously addressed with a TSB.Since the TSB addressed a safety-related issue (stalling), Big Dog agreed to recall the motorcycles subject to the TSB (10V-180).With that decision, ODI agreed to waive requiring a response to its information request and is now closing this RQ.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGLed to recall 10V180000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2014

WHERE DO I GET A 2004 MASTER CYLINDER FOR MY BIKE??? EVERYTHING THAT'S ON RECALL IS ON MY BIKE!! AND EVEN MORE TO BE PISSED ABOUT IS THEY SOLD THIS TO ME A FEW MONTHS AFTER THERE RECALL WHEN THEY NEW ABOUT IT, EVERYTHING THAT WAS FIXED BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE PROBLEMS I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. BUT YET THEY NEW ABOUT THIS RECALL. WHAT DO I DO??? *TR

NHTSA ID
10622441
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 13, 2013

HEAD LIGHT TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. THEY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. HAD TO HAVE MY BIKE TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508115
Incident
Mar 9, 2013
Mileage
5,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 16, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE CHOPPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V180000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) IN 2006, BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE CONTINUED TO STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND BOTH ADVISED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLE THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT ASSIST WITH ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 11/16/10*BF UPDATED 11/23/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10349718
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
5,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 5, 2008

THE 2004 BIG DOG CHOPPER I WAS OPERATING ELECTRICALLY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH IN TRAFFIC. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED DIELETRIC GREASE IN THE CONNECTOR TO KEEP WATER FROM SHORTING IT OUT. I APPLIED THEIR FIX AND THE UNIT STILL DOES NOT FUNCTION. I HAD TO PURCHASE THE 2007 UNIT FOR 641.99 DOLLARS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE MATTER, I DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2004. THE 2004 MODEL IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME MALFUNCTION THAT THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS ARE EXPERIENCING. I RESEARCHED FURTHER AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF OWNERS WITH THE 2004 MODEL EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO ANYONE WHO RIDES THIS MOTORCYCLE WITH THE OLD EHC MODULE, A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE ON THE 2004 MODELS OF BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229998
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
Mileage
5,345 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 2007

RECURRING SQUEAKS FROM DRIVE BELT. 4 TRIPS TO THE 1ST DEALER FOR ADJUSTMENT UNTIL REAR PULLEY WAS REPLACED BY 2ND DEALER DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH BELT. SQUEAK CONTINUED AFTER 3 ADDITIONAL TRIPS TO 2ND DEALER. MFG FELT THAT BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED BUT WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE BELT WAS CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM. WITH LESS THAN 3000 ORIGINAL MILES MFG FINALLY AGREED THAT BELT WEAR WAS PREMATURE DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH PULLEY AND REPLACED BELT WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE TO FINALLY RESOLVE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10208969
Incident
Dec 10, 2006
Mileage
800 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 21, 2007

1) SIGNAL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING,THEN HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT, THEN SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING, THEN ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AND BIKE WILL NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL IS OUT. 3) CALLED BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE DEALER. WAS TOLD THE 2004 EHC MODULE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND MUST UP GRADE TO AN 07 WITH HARNESS. COST DIFFERENCE $202.00 FOR 2004 AND 650.00 FOR AN 2007 MODULE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10206475
Incident
Jun 8, 2007
Mileage
11,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 1, 2007

2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE. MOTORCYCLE KEEPS LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO AN INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER. THIS SAME EHC HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2005 AND 2006 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO CRASH BUT I HIT CONSTRUCTION CONES AND ALMOST CRASHED TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. *JB

NHTSA ID
10198224
Incident
Apr 29, 2007
Mileage
12,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 16, 2005

WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE MOTORCYCLE'S TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHORTED OUT BECAUSE WATER RAN DOWN THE COIL WIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10111604
Incident
Nov 21, 2004
Mileage
50 mi

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

1078

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EHC CONTACT IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE (REVISED). CURRENT SEAL DOES NOT ALLOW CONNECTOR PINS TO SEAT PROPERLY AND MOISTURE MAY BE PRESENT IN CONNECTOR. *TT

1077

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLAMP CONNECTOR MAY MELT, MAKING BULB REPLACEMENT DIFFICULT. *TT

1075

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DIELECTRIC GREASE ADDITION TO CONNECTORS. *TT

1080

STRUCTURE

TACHOMETER BOARD REPLACEMENT - INACCURATE TACHOMETER READINGS OR FLUCTUATION IN READINGS DUE TO MOISTURE. *AK

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—
2004Viewing106144.7
2003113048.2

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.