RoadVitals

2005 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.
5
Latest Aug 27, 2011
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.
7
Latest Dec 18, 2007
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

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Bigdog Chopper, most frequently naming the electrical, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 24 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

  • Electrical228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Other / unspecified114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
07V580000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Dec 18, 2007
8,061 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR FENDER STRUT ATTACHING BOLTS CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE REAR FENDER TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.
The risk: THIS COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OR A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE EXISTING STRUT BOLTS AND REPLACE WITH HIGHER TENSILE STRENGTH ATTACHING BOLTS AND UPDATED WASHERS. HIGHER TORQUE VALUES WILL BE OBSERVED WHEN INSTALLING THE REPLACEMENT FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
06V389000

STRUCTURE

Oct 12, 2006
2,494 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE LONG PIVOT BOLT MAY BEND OR BREAK DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
The risk: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE REAR FENDER TO ABRADE AGAINST THE REAR TIRE WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LONG PIVOT BOLT AND, IF NECESSARY, STRAIGHTEN THE REAR FRAME SIDE PANEL. THE SHORT LEFT SIDE PIVOT BOLT AND PIVOT SHAFT MAY ALSO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
06V305000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Aug 11, 2006
2,101 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL (EHC) MODULE CAN FAIL RESULTING IN A TOTAL SHUT DOWN OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC POWER.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EHC MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 27, 2011

PURCHASED AN AVON 250/40R18 AV72 TIRE FOR MY MOTORCYCLE,AND WITH LESS THAN 2000 MILES,THERE IS AN OPEN JOIN SPLICE GOING ACROSS TIRE. I HAVE NOT RIDDEN MOTORCYCLE SINCE FINDING DEFECT, FOR FEAR OF HAVING A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND LOSING CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE. AVON NEEDS TO STEP UP AND RECALL THESE TIRES BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SEVERELY INJURED. *TT

NHTSA ID
10422287
Incident
Aug 10, 2011
Electrical
Filed Nov 18, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG CHOPPER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HE ATTEMPTED TO START IT, THE WIRING ON THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL (EHC) MELTED AND CAUGHT FIRE. HE PULLED THE WIRING APART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE EHC. SEVERAL YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HE PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAITED FOR AN HOUR AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE EHC NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL 06V305000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10366721
Incident
Feb 15, 2006
Mileage
1,500 mi
Body & structureEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 31, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT HAS HAD SIX LIFE THREATENING RECALLS CONSISTING OF THE WHEEL HUB NUT, COMPUTER HARNESS, SWING ARM PENDENT, IGNITION RELAY, KICK STAND SPRING, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR ALL SIX RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO RECTIFY THE FAILURES AND HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

NHTSA ID
10213282
Incident
Dec 1, 2005
Mileage
1,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE SEEMS AS IF IT ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE BECAME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE GASKETS AND GREASED THE CONNECTIONS TO STOP THE WATER FROM SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10161758
Incident
Jun 16, 2006
Mileage
1,900 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY PROVIDES AN INCORRECT READING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THE MAGNETIC SENSOR ABOVE THE TRANSMISSION INTERFERES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH RESULTS IN THE INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER CLEANED THE MAGNETIC STRIP, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED.

NHTSA ID
10152027
Incident
Feb 25, 2006
Mileage
5,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

07V580

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE: STRUT BOLTS REPLACEMENT. REMOVE STRUT BOLTS AND INSTALL STRUT BOLT KIT P/N 243 000010-00. *PE

SIL-0008

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE: ELECTRICAL SIDE COVER CONTACT WITH BELT GUARD. A WIRE BUNDLE MAY PROTRUDE INTO THE RIGHT ELECTRICAL SIDE COVER. *PE

SIL-0001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

BIGDOG MOTORCYCLES: THIS LETTER HIGHLIGHTS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VARIOUS ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLERS (EHCS). FOR MODELS YEARS 2005-2009 MOTORCYCLES. *PE

SB-1106

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE: NEW PRIMARY INSPECTION COVER GASKET. INSTALL NEW INSPECTION COVER GASKET ON ALL 2005-2008 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES. *PE

SB-1102

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE: HIDDEN SHOCK ELECTRICAL COVER HARDWARE REPLACEMENT. ELECTRICAL SIDE COVERS MAY CRACK OR BREAK. 243-000011-00 FOR ALL MODELS EXCEPT 2006 K9. 243-000013-00 FOR 2006 K9 MODEL. *PE

07-V-580

STRUCTURE:BODY; STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE: REAR FENDER STRUT BOLT REMEDY. REAR FENDER STRUT BOLTS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FENDER TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. *PE

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—
2005Viewing570—
2004106144.7
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.