RoadVitals

2005 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.
12
Latest Oct 27, 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.
6
Latest May 1, 2009
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, electrical and brakes categories. 6 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

  • Other / unspecified750.0%
  • Electrical321.4%
  • Brakes214.3%
  • Powertrain (other)17.1%
  • Tires & wheels17.1%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
09V147000

WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER

May 1, 2009
1,257 units potentially affected
The defect: BIG DOG IS RECALLING 1,257 MY 2005 RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR WHEEL MAY HAVE WEAK SPOTS IN THE DESIGN, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO CRACK UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
The risk: IF UNDETECTED, THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-316-267-9121.
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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EHC FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ID
10650263
Incident
Sep 27, 2014
Mileage
26,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 27, 2011

1 HAVE AN AVON TIRE 300 AV72 THAT HAS THE TREAD SEPARATING DOWN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TIRE HAS DONE THIS TO ME WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES HOW MANY COMPLAINTS WILL IT TAKE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED WITH ONE OF THESE TIRES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TT

NHTSA ID
10422289
Incident
Jul 15, 2011
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 13, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V147000 (WHEELS: CENTER SECTION) IN JUNE 2009. HE STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL WOULD BE ARRIVING SOON IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE PART NEVER ARRIVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THE REAR WHEEL FRACTURING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,400. UPDATED 01/21/11 *BF UPDATED 04/04/11

NHTSA ID
10355147
Incident
Jun 12, 2009
Mileage
6,400 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 1, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES HAVE A SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER FAILURES WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING OPERATED. I HAVE A 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. PLEASE RESEARCH TO SEE IF OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ID
10334071
Incident
Jun 20, 2009
Mileage
2,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 23, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V147000: WHEELS: CENTER SECTION) ON MAY 29, 2009. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A RECALL REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM EACH TIME THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THE THAT PARTS MAY POSSIBLY BE ON BACK ORDER FOR SIX MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10321531
Incident
May 1, 2009
Mileage
8,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 24, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG RIDGE BACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE STATING THAT THE REAR WHEEL COULD CRACK OR COME APART AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT AFTER INSPECTING THE WHEEL THEY DECIDED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE BIG DOG MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TRY ANOTHER DEALER. HE TRIED ANOTHER DEALER OVER A YEAR AGO AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO SEND THEM THE WHEEL TO REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE. HE CONTINUED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS NOT GETTING A FAVORABLE ANSWER AS TO WHEN HE WOULD GET A NEW WHEEL SO THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 04-15-10 *BF

NHTSA ID
10313606
Incident
Mar 23, 2009
Mileage
6,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 2, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V147000 (WHEELS:CENTER SECTION). THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR. THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER. HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SIX MONTHS FOR A REMEDY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,100. UPDATED 11/23/09 *BF UPDATED 11/24/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10290618
Incident
May 29, 2009
Mileage
2,100 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 25, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIGDOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. HE STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED RECALL 09V147000 COMPONENT: WHEELS:CENTER SECTION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO BALANCE THE WHEELS; THEREFORE HE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,520.

NHTSA ID
10281654
Incident
Aug 20, 2009
Mileage
1,520 mi

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

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

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

1092

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BIGDOG MOTORCYCLES - REVISED SPEEDOMETER AND MOUNT. *NJ

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—
2005Viewing126041.7
2004451—
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.