RoadVitals

2004 Bigdog Pitbull

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.
3
Latest Dec 30, 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.
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Bigdog Pitbull, most frequently naming the electrical and driver assistance 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

  • Electrical375.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%

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

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

Electrical
Filed Dec 30, 2010

SIR / MADAM, THIS IS MY THIRD REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OF WHERE AND WHEN THE REPAIR OF THE EHC RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MY BIKE. NO ONE HAS ANSWERED MY REQUEST. I HAVE TALKED TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND WAS INFORMED THIS RECALL WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS AND SHOW NO SERVICE BEING DONE TOWARD MY BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE EHC MODULE. SIMPLY STATING THIS RECALL HAS BE DONE IS ACCEPTABLE TO ME. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ALL SYMPTOMS IN REGARDS TO RECALL # - -- - - - - - -. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA # - - - - - - -, THAT I HAVE REQUESTED ALL INFORMATION FROM BIGDOG CORPORATION IN REGARDS TO WHERE AND WHEN ALL RECALLS WERE PERFORMED FOR VERIFICATION. NHTSA CONFORMATION # - - - - - - - -. FOR A THIRD TIME EXTENDING MY REQUEST TO ALL INFORMATION WERE AND WHEN ALL RECALL IN QUESTION FOR 2004 TO DATE PRESENT WAS PERFORMED ON MY MOTORCYCLE. I SHOW NO RECORD IN MY FILE THAT ANY RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED. IF YOU SO CHOOSE TO NOT HONOR MY REQUEST I WILL SEEK FURTHER ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH NHTSA IN DOING SO.

NHTSA ID
10374213
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
22,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 28, 2010

LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER CAUSING MOTORCYCLE TO STALL OR COMPLETE SHUT DOWN WHILE OPERATING. LOSS OF ELECTRICAL TO IGNITION COIL AND LIGHT. AFC RECALL # 10V180000. I'M 3RD OWNER... HAVE ALL SERVICE PAPER ON BIKE.. CONTACTED BIGDOG CORPORATION.THEY STATED THAT THIS RECALL WAS COMPLETED...I REQUESTED INFORMATION PAPER WORK OR COMPUTER DATA OF WHEN AND WHERE THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED..MY RECORDS SHOW OF NO PRIOR SERVICE DONE TO THIS ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL MODULE BY ME OR PRIOR OWNERS.THEY HAVE NOT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS RETURNED MY CALL OR E-MAILS...DO TO WHERE I RESIDE THE ISLAND OF GUAM I'M ONLY ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH NHTSA VIA-EMAIL BIG DOG CORPORATION WILL NOT WORK WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY THAT IS NOT A BIG DOG DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NO AUTHORIZED DEALER IN GUAM. I SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA MAIL ME THIS PART... CAN YOU PLEASE HELP? THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10372637
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
22,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2007

I HAVE A 2004 BIG DOG PIT BULL MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE BEEN HAVING FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, PROBLEMS WITH IT STARTING AND IT CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING!!! I TOOK IT TO THE BIG DOG DEALER IN JACKSONVILLE, FL AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE EHC MODULE. THE EHC MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THIS IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $700.00, AND THE MODULE PART IS ON BACKORDER FROM THE MANUFACTURE. FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THERE WERE RECALLS FOR 2005,2006 AND 2007 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RECALLS FOR 2004. I CALLED BIG DOG HEADQUARTERED IN WICHITA KS AND THEY TOLD ME THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER! AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE 2004 ARE NOT ON RECALL... THIS IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM AND COULD BE FATAL...!! I SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR THIS!!! PLEASE HELP!!! *JB

NHTSA ID
10204443
Incident
Sep 28, 2007
Mileage
30 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 Pitbull by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008100—
2007000—
2006020—
2005750—
2004Viewing351—
2003000—
2002310—
2001000—
2000000—
1999511—
1998010—
1997000—

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.