RoadVitals

2005 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.
2
Latest Nov 24, 2009
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.
8
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Bigdog Mastiff, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and transmission categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 23 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

  • Electrical133.3%
  • Engine133.3%
  • Transmission133.3%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
07V356000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Aug 8, 2007
7,611 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A WARPED BUS BAR WITHIN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCATED BETWEEN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR POSITIVE BATTERY LEAD (B+ LEAD) AND THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WITH AN ALTERNATIVE CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE THAT WILL PREVENT A THERMAL EVENT IF THERE IS A SHORT TO GROUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-9129 OR EMAIL TO [email protected].
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Transmission
Filed Nov 24, 2009

2005 BIG DOG MASTIFF MOTORCYCLE. IS KNOWN FOR HAVING A BAD EHC UNITS. EHC IS THE BRAIN BOX OF THE MOTORCYCLE WHEN THIS FAILS IT SHUTS DOWN THE MOTORCYCLE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING. HAD THIS HAPPEN ON MINE NUMEROUS TIMES. GOT DIFFERENT EHC UNIT HAVEN'T HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE. OK NEXT PROBLEM WITH BIKE IS THE TRANNY. IT'S A BAKER 6 SPEED TRANNY. GOING DOWN HIGHWAY WITH WIFE HEAR POP THE SEEMS TO GO INTO NEUTRAL NO CLUTCH NOTHING GOT BACK TO SHOP THEY TORE DOWN TO FIND THE MAIN SHAFT OR TRANNY SHEARED OFF IN SIDE CASE OF TRANNY. WE WERE LUCKY THE TRANNY DIDN'T LOCK UP AT 65-70 MPH. GOING TO A SITE FOR BIG DOG BIKERS FORUM FIND OUT MANY BIG DOG OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I'M HOPING YOU CAN HELP US OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND GET BIG DOG OR BAKER TRANSMISSION FIX THIS PROBLEM AND GET THESE ROAD WORTHY AND SAFE TO RIDE AND ONES WHO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM ON THERE OWN GET THERE MONEY BACK EITHER FROM BIG DOG OR BAKER. BOTH COMPANIES KNOW OF THIS TRANNY PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T WANT TO FIX IT THEY BLAME THE OTHER ON WHO IS AT FAULT. DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE TO DIE BECAUSE OF PROBLEM TO GET THIS FIX AND MAKE THESE BIKES SAFE TO RIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293396
Incident
Nov 15, 2009
Mileage
6,800 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 28, 2005

SEVERAL EVENTS HAVE BEEN LISTED AND SUBMITTED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED MANY TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WITH NO SUCCESS. THE DEALER SENT THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE HEADQUARTERS IN ANOTHER CITY, STILL UNABLE TO KEEP THE BIKE FROM POURING OIL OUT AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS IS GETTING OIL ON THE REAR TIRE, REAR WHEEL AND REAR BRAKE. IT HAS SINCE BEEN DISCOVERED THAT THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT AN AUTHORIZED LOCATION, NOR WAS THEIR MECHANIC. BUT THEIR MAIN STORE IS AUTHORIZED. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ASK FOR LEGAL HELP. BIG DOG HAS IGNORED MY PLEAS FOR HELP, AS HAS V TWIN CITY, THE DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10141119
Incident
Feb 20, 2005

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

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

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-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 Mastiff by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008120—
2007320—
2006160—
2005Viewing280—
2004651—
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.