Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2003 Bigdog Chopper peaked in 2004, with 8 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2003 Bigdog Chopper
Motorcycle, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Aug 4, 2003 to Jun 20, 2005.
Recall campaigns covering this model year36,748 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints115.5 times the median 2003 motorcycle
Severity index9.12003 motorcycles average 7.3
First 24 months9Complaints in its first two years
Components
64% of complaints about the 2003 Bigdog Chopper name structure
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
3 recall campaigns cover the 2003 Bigdog Chopper
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04V-523 | Nov 2, 2004 | On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring attaching stud may break off allowing the kickstand to deploy into the extended position | Structure | 4,457 | Repair or modification |
| 03V-535 | Dec 18, 2003 | On certain motorcycles assembled with an early version rolling thunder frame, a stress crack could emerge in the frame | Structure | 1,446 | Repair or modification |
| 03V-230 | Jun 23, 2003 | On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank mount may have been improperly welded | Fuel system | 845 | Repair or modification |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2003 Bigdog Chopper
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
11 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jun 20, 2005Failure Jan 10, 2004300 milesTulsa, OKTires
THE RUBBER PEELED OFF OF THE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT THE PROBLEM WAS CONCLUDED AS A MOLD CLOSURE ISSUE. *SC
NHTSA complaint 10115079 - Filed Apr 12, 2005Failure Feb 28, 20052,000 milesCreal Springs, ILWiring
ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURNS SIGNALS FAILED. DEALER HAS KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SIX WEEKS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10117753 - Filed May 11, 2004Failure Apr 20, 2004Dallas, TXFrame and members
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO REPAIR AND REINFORCE THE FRAME. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER GARY.*AK
NHTSA complaint 10067105 - Filed Apr 5, 2004Tiverton, RIFrame and members
NHTSA 03V535000/FRAME CRACKS. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON JANUARY AND CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT IT WOULD TAKE THREE MONTHS FOR THEM TO FIX THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
NHTSA complaint 10066582 - Filed Apr 1, 2004Failure Jan 30, 2004976 milesSomerville, MAFrame and members
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V535000, CONCERNING FRAME CRACKS. DEALER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 30, 2004. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK
NHTSA complaint 10065404 - Filed Mar 31, 200441 milesRancho Murieta, CAFuel system, Tank assembly
CONSUMER BELIEVE HIS MOTORCYCLE QUALIFIED AS A LEMON DUE TO A CRACKED GAS TANK AT THE REAR MOUNTING PLATE. *PH CONSUMER DEMANDING FULL REFUND OF DOWN PAYMENT, SIX MONTHLY PAYMENTS, AND FULL PAY OFF FROM LOAN. *LA
NHTSA complaint 10066608 - Filed Mar 26, 2004Failure Jan 12, 2004Ridge, MDFrame and members
DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CONSUMER'S MOTORCYCLE 2 MONTHS AND 3 WEEKS AGO TO DELIVER IT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE FRAME CRACK RECALL 03V535000 REPAIRS PERFORMED. RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED YET BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT RECEIVE THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK
NHTSA complaint 10065001 - Filed Mar 24, 2004Failure Oct 25, 2003Seymour, TNKickstand/center standCrash1 injured
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL DEBRIS WHICH CAUSED THE KICK STAND TO BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED, THE DRIVER HAD LEFT THE KICK STAND OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10064814 - Filed Mar 15, 2004Failure Mar 15, 2004Antioch, CAFrame and members
DEALER KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 15, 2004 FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V35000. ON THE FRAME CRACKING. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX MOTORCYCLE. DEALER STATED MOTORCYCLE HAD TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN KANSAS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WILL RETURN MOTORCYCLE WHEN THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LOAD A TRUCK TO BRING THEM BACK, THIS MIGHT TAKE ANOTHER MONTH. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10063184 - Filed Mar 9, 2004Failure Mar 9, 2004430 milesAurora, COFrame and members
DEALER KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 24, 2004 FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V35000. ON THE FRAME CRACKING. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX MOTORCYCLE. DEALER STATED " MOTORCYCLE" HAD TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN KANSAS, TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WILL RETURN MOTORCYCLE WHEN THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LOAD A TRUCK TO BRING THEM BACK, THIS MIGHT TAKE ANOTHER MONTH. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10061663 - Filed Aug 4, 2003Glen Burnie, MDEngine
OIL LEAKS, HAS BEEN LEAKING UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM TWICE, BUT IT IS STILL LEAKING. DEALER DID NOT IDENTIFY THE FAILED COMPONENT TO THE CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10031994
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
4 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- 1044 Sep 30, 2004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BELT AND CHASSIS ISSUES. DRIVE BELT NOISE,DRIVE BELT RATCHETING, SWING ARM TO FRAME CONTACT. BIGDOG SERVICE BULLETIN W/T ATTACHMENTS A-H. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2003 BIG DOG PITBULL, RIDGEBACK AND DAYTEC CHOPPER. *EH - 1032 Oct 1, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2003 INNER PRIMARY LEAKING AT RECESSED AREA. *MR - 1028 Oct 1, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2003 CHOPPER TANK MOUNT UPGRADE. *MR - 1031 Oct 1, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
POSSIBLE CONTACT OF FENDER STRUT AND SWINGARM. *TT
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.