By year
Owner complaints about BIG DOG vehicles peaked at 20 in 2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2002 to 2026. 2026 runs through October.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints and recalls files. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Make
BIG DOG
The complete NHTSA record for BIG DOG vehicles: owner complaints, recall campaigns, defect investigations and manufacturer communications, for every model and model year on file.
Most BIG DOG recalls are filed by Big Dog Motorcycles, part of Big Dog.
Owner complaints in the last five years055 on file in all, across 12 models
Recall campaigns90 in five years
Severity index3.6Crash, fire, injury or death per 100 complaints
Investigations132 service bulletins
Components
Electrical system draws the most owner complaints about BIG DOG vehicles, 35% of them
Share of all owner complaints on file, by component.
Source: NHTSA ODI.
Models
The Ridgeback has the most complaints of any BIG DOG model
Every BIG DOG model with complaints or recalls on file, by complaints. Counts are not rates: NHTSA publishes no sales volumes.
| Model | Model years | Complaints | Severity index | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeback | 2003 to 2009 | 16 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 |
| K-9 | 2005 to 2009 | 9 | 0.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Mastiff | 2002 to 2009 | 9 | 11.1 | 1 | 1 |
| Pitbull | 1997 to 2008 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Chopper | 2003 to 2009 | 5 | 20.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bulldog | 2000 to 2009 | 4 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Pittbull | 2005 to 2009 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chopper DT | 2005 | 1 | 0.0 | 4 | 0 |
| Boxer | 2002 to 2004 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Husky | 2002 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mutt | 2005 to 2009 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| N-Chopper | 2005 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI. Recall counts add campaigns across model years, so a campaign covering three years counts three times.
Latest recalls
Recent campaigns listing a BIG DOG product
- 10V-180 May 3, 2010
There is a possible loose connection between the harness connector and the electronic harness controller
Electrical system · 1,895 vehicles - 07V-580 Dec 18, 2007
On certain motorcycles, the rear fender strut attaching bolts can fail allowing the rear fender to detach from the motorcycle
Structure · 8,061 vehicles - 07V-460 Sep 27, 2007
On certain motorcycles, the fuel line can potentially contact heated metal parts of the motorcycle and melt
Fuel system · 104 vehicles - 07E-058 Aug 15, 2007
Certain big dog aftermarket sissy bar assemblies sold as an accessory part for the motorcycles listed above
Equipment · 1,800 vehicles - 07V-356 Aug 8, 2007
On certain motorcycles, a warped bus bar within the voltage regulator can cause a short circuit
Electrical system · 7,611 vehicles - 06V-305 Aug 11, 2006
On certain motorcycles, the electronic harness control (ehc) module can fail resulting in a total shut down of the vehicle's electronic power
Electrical system · 2,101 vehicles - 06V-019 Jan 25, 2006
On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring may stretch and detach from the mounting bracket or the kickstand
Structure · 9,726 vehicles - 05V-432 Sep 28, 2005
On certain motorcycles, the rear wheel hub bolts could loosen and back out allowing the hub and brake rotor to detach from the wheel with an…
Wheels · 3,294 vehicles - 05V-149 Apr 14, 2005
On certain motorcycles, the primary drive sprocket nut may back off the engine main shaft
Powertrain · 1,418 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.