RoadVitals

2004 Bigdog Ridgeback

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 Jun 24, 2014
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and brakes categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 10 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%
  • Engine225.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Suspension112.5%
  • Transmission112.5%

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

Electrical
Filed Jun 24, 2014

APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF. NOW THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, SO WHAT AM I TO DO? I HAVE NO HEADLIGHT, HORN, AND THE BIKE WON'T START. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605673
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
5,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 15, 2010

EHC MODULE ON 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES, IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I TRY TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, THE ENGINE STALLED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALMOST DIDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, THE LIGHTS, SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER SAFETY SIGNALS STOP WORKING AND I AM TOLD OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT 2004 AND THE PARTS TO FIX IT ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM BIG DOG MANUFACTURER SO I CANT EVEN FIX IT THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING IT BUT REVAMPING IT AND I FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR TO ALL OWNERS THERE ARE AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT NO OEM PARTS AND I CANT TRUST MY LIFE WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS HOPING THEY WILL WORK, I HAVE THE MALFUNCTIONING PART STILL BUT NEED TO GET SOME ANSWERS AND BIG DOG IS NOT WILLING TO HELP CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME AND OTHERS THAT ARE CONCERNED I FELL IT SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THEY ARE NOT EVEN MAKING THE PART AND SAY IT MAY BE MONTHS BEFORE THEY HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE EHC MODULE THEY TRIED TO BLAME IT ON A LOOSE CONNECTION AND THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND CAUSED THE CONCERN FOR ME SINCE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM ESPECIALLY ON A MOTORCYCLE THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES, I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT MILES ON THE MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW BUT IT IS AROUND 7500 THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365891
Incident
May 15, 2010
Mileage
7,500 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING BETWEEN THIRTY MINUTES TO A HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL HARNESS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIR ON FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.

NHTSA ID
10360342
Incident
Mar 10, 2010
Mileage
2,800 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Mar 25, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE STALLING OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT SIGNAL LIGHTS AND WOULD STALL AFTER STARTING. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE VEHICLE IS FIXED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SALES DEALER HAD PRIVATE RIGHTS TO THE KEY SYSTEM SUCH AS THE ELECTRONICS/WIRING. NO OTHER DEALER INCLUDING THE AUTHORIZED DEALER COULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF THE SALES DEALER. THERE WAS A BATTERY ACID LEAK, THE DISC PADS AND ROTORS HAD WORN OUT, THE REAR ROCKER BOX LEAKED OIL, THERE WAS AN OIL PUMP LEAK, THE TRANSMISSION COVER LEAKED, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD, THERE WAS NOISE IN THE FRONT END, AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITH NO START AND WHEN THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN, THE ENGINE WOULD RUN NORMAL. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10113080
Incident
Apr 20, 2004
Mileage
150 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 Ridgeback by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008020—
2007000—
2006320—
2005126041.7
2004Viewing451—
2003000—

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.