RoadVitals

2004 Bigdog Daytec 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.
4
Latest Sep 9, 2010
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 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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Bigdog Daytec Chopper, most frequently naming the electrical and exterior lighting categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

  • Electrical375.0%
  • Exterior lighting125.0%

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
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
04V137000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Mar 23, 2004
1,906 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE PISTON IN THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SIZED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO DRAG OR LOCKUP.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PISTON FROM THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW PISTON. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.
BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Sep 9, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REFERENCING, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V180000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL REMEDY IN JUNE AND THEY STATED THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND IT WOULD BE ABOUT 2 MONTHS. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE PART IS NOT MANUFACTURED ANYMORE AND THEY MAY BE ABLE TO GET IT FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER BUT IT WOULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 6 TO 7 WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000.

NHTSA ID
10354718
Incident
Jun 7, 2010
Mileage
11,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 29, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG DAYTEC CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLUCTUATE FROM ON AND OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE EHC MODULE HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

NHTSA ID
10346108
Incident
Jul 10, 2010
Mileage
8,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 13, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIGDOG DAYTEC CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,440.

NHTSA ID
10258602
Incident
Jan 3, 2009
Mileage
25,440 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG DAYTEC CHOPPER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT RIDES THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF, INCLUDING THE MOTORCYCLE ITSELF. HE HAS TAKEN THE BIKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EHC MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE HIS MODEL YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,00 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,00. UPDATED 04-08-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10220824
Incident
Feb 11, 2008
Mileage
210,002 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.