RoadVitals

2005 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.
7
Latest Aug 16, 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.
5
Latest Aug 8, 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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Bigdog Pitbull, most frequently naming the electrical, tires & wheels and brakes categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 21 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

  • Electrical337.5%
  • Tires & wheels225.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%

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
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
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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 16, 2011

I RECENTLY PURCHASED AN AVON COBRA MOTORCYCLE TIRE (300/35R18). IN LESS THAN 2000 MILES OF NORMAL RIDING CONDITIONS, THE CENTER OF THE TIRE IS BEGINNING TO "ERODE" OFF THE TIRE. I DON'T SPIN OR BURNOUT, YET THE CENTER OF THE TIRE NOW HAS A 2" TO 3" WIDE SECTION THAT APPEARS TO BE VANISHING AND HAS ACTUALLY LEFT A GROOVE IN MY TIRE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE RIDING THIS TIRE AND HAVE "GROUNDED" MY BIKE UNTIL I CAN GET ANOTHER TIRE. THE AVON VENOM TIRE I HAD BEFORE THIS GOT CLOSE TO 10000 MILES BEFORE A CHANGE WAS REQUIRED. THE RUBBER ON THE AVON COBRA FEELS SOFT AND MUST BE OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL/CONTRUCTION THAN THE PREVIOUS AVON VENOM TIRES. I FEEL THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT OR FLAW IN THE MATERIALS USED TO MANUFACTURE THIS TIRE. MY OPTIONS FOR THIS SIZE TIRE ARE LIMITED AND MY PAST EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN POSITIVE WITH AVON. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEIR QUALITY BACK TO WHERE IT ONCE WAS WITH THE VENOM TIRES. *KB

NHTSA ID
10419700
Incident
Aug 16, 2011
Mileage
19,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG PITBULL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER; THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD IMMEDIATELY RESTART AND OTHER TIMES, THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN; THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURING THE CONTROLLER AND WERE WORKING ON THE PART THAT WOULD REPLACE IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000.

NHTSA ID
10363539
Incident
Oct 21, 2008
Mileage
3,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 11, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG PITBULL MOTORCYCLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V305000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY ISSUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,242. UPDATED 04-15-10 *BF UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10319043
Incident
Jan 29, 2010
Mileage
2,242 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 19, 2005

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2005 BIG DOG PIT BULL ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY DIED WHILE RIDING. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10146428
Incident
Jun 5, 2005
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 7, 2005

I JUST GOT A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL ON MY 2005 BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS (4) TO CONTACT BIGDOG TO SEE IF I CAN TAKE IT ANYWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN THE DEALER WHICH IS ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY, PLUS I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALER (ROLLING THUNDER) TO DO THE WORK PROPERLY BECAUSE OF TERRIBLE WORK DONE IN THE PAST. I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10142009
Incident
Oct 15, 2005
BrakesFuel system
Filed Jul 5, 2005

DT: CONSUMER HAD PURCHASED A BIG DOG PIT BULL 2005 MOTORCYCLE ON MAY 16, 2005. FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DID NOT PUMP FUEL THROUGH THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN AND NOT MOVE, ON JUNE 30, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED, THE REPLACED VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE BACK DISC BRAKES LOCKED UP, THE BRAKE WAS SMOKING, VIN NUMBER WAS FOR THE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, NONE OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AS OF NOW, WHEN CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HIM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10127482
Incident
May 16, 2005
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V052000 CONCERNING ELECTRIC HARNESS CONTROL. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO HONOR THIS RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10115802
Incident
Feb 28, 2005

Manufacturer communications

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

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

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

1069

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTERMITTENT PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD OPERATION. *TT

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—
2005Viewing750—
2004351—
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.