RoadVitals

2004 Bigdog Mastiff

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 Jun 8, 2015
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.
5
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Bigdog Mastiff, most frequently naming the electrical, exterior lighting and powertrain (other) categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Electrical562.5%
  • Exterior lighting225.0%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 8, 2015

I BOUGHT THIS BIKE FOR MY HUSBAND AT BLACK HILLS HARLEY DAVIDSON,RAPID CITY SD JAN 2015. WE HAD TO RIGHT AWAY GET NEW BATTERY,NEW IGNITION SWITCHES,WE WENT TO GO OUT FOR A RIDE LAST WEEK FINALLY AND ONCE AGAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE, I HAVE FOUND A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, HARLEY DAVIDSON WILL NOT REPAIR, BIG DOG WENT OUT OF BUSINESS I WAS TOLD THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS RECALL FOR SEVEN YEARS? I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO OR DO I NEED LEGAL REPRESENTATION? MY VIN NUMBER [XXX] NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:10V180000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10724153
Incident
Feb 3, 2014
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 4, 2011

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SINCE THE BIKE WAS NEW. HEADLIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON & OFF, REAR TAIL LIGHTS FLASHED ON & OFF. NOTHING WAS FOUND WHEN BIKE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. EHC MODULE COMPLETELY FAILED NOW AND BIKE WILL NOT RUN. TOLD THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND WHEN IT IS, IT WILL COST WELL OVER $1000.00 TO REPAIR AND BIG DOG REFUSES TO COVER IT AND SAID "SORRY, BIKE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10374072
Incident
Aug 14, 2010
Mileage
12,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 21, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG MASTIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V180000, (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS AUTHORIZED DEALERS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE NECESSARY PARTS TO PERFORM THE REMEDY WERE UNAVAILABLE DUE TO THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,300.

NHTSA ID
10361509
Incident
May 24, 2010
Mileage
5,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 29, 2010

2004 AND OTHER YEARS. THE ECH UNIT. MANY OF THESE HAVE WENT BAD. THE BIG DOG COMPANY IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. I WAS HOPING TO GET AN INVESTIGATION STARTED.

NHTSA ID
10322657
Incident
Jan 1, 2010
Mileage
1,300 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG MASTIFF. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND INSPECTED THE FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. AFTER SITTING, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HE STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. OCCASIONALLY, THE HIGH BEAMS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD AN ISSUE WITH A LOT OF THE VEHICLES AND THE CONTROL BOXES WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 04-09-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10221433
Incident
Jun 11, 2007
Mileage
8,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 17, 2006

SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM PRIMARY GETS LOUDER AS IT REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. AFTER MANUFACTURER HAD THE BIKE FOR 3 WEEKS, THEY SAID "WE GAVE IT OUR BEST SHOT WITH OUR BEST TECH, HAVE YOUR ATTORNEY CALL US". ONE OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS NOT FIXED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10165706
Incident
Aug 8, 2006
Mileage
4,600 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 Mastiff by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008120—
2007320—
2006160—
2005280—
2004Viewing651—
2003010—
2002000—

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.