Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2004 Bigdog Chopper peaked in 2005, with 3 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
2004 Bigdog Chopper
Motorcycle, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jan 7, 2005 to Jun 5, 2008.
Recall campaigns covering this model year520k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints73.5 times the median 2004 motorcycle
Severity index0.02004 motorcycles average 11.4
First 24 months3Complaints in its first two years
Components
43% of complaints about the 2004 Bigdog Chopper name electrical system
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
5 recall campaigns cover the 2004 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Repair or modification |
| 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 |
| 04V-164 | Apr 6, 2004 | On certain motorcycles, a screw may become loose in the handlebar control due to the lack of a lock washer and loctite | Steering | 2,098 | Repair or modification |
| 04V-137 | Mar 23, 2004 | On certain motorcycles, the piston in the rear master cylinder may have been improperly sized, which could cause the rear brakes to drag or lockup | Brakes | 1,906 | Part replacement |
| 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 |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2004 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.
7 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jun 5, 2008Failure Jun 1, 20085,345 milesSharpsburg, GAElectrical system
THE 2004 BIG DOG CHOPPER I WAS OPERATING ELECTRICALLY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH IN TRAFFIC. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED DIELETRIC GREASE IN THE CONNECTOR TO KEEP WATER FROM SHORTING IT OUT. I APPLIED THEIR FIX AND THE UNIT STILL DOES NOT FUNCTION. I HAD TO PURCHASE THE 2007 UNIT FOR 641.99 DOLLARS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE MATTER, I DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2004. THE 2004 MODEL IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME MALFUNCTION THAT THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS ARE EXPERIENCING. I RESEARCHED FURTHER AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF OWNERS WITH THE 2004 MODEL EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO ANYONE WHO RIDES THIS MOTORCYCLE WITH THE OLD EHC MODULE, A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE ON THE 2004 MODELS OF BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10229998 - Filed Nov 14, 2007Failure Dec 10, 2006800 milesCovington, LADriveline
RECURRING SQUEAKS FROM DRIVE BELT. 4 TRIPS TO THE 1ST DEALER FOR ADJUSTMENT UNTIL REAR PULLEY WAS REPLACED BY 2ND DEALER DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH BELT. SQUEAK CONTINUED AFTER 3 ADDITIONAL TRIPS TO 2ND DEALER. MFG FELT THAT BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED BUT WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE BELT WAS CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM. WITH LESS THAN 3000 ORIGINAL MILES MFG FINALLY AGREED THAT BELT WEAR WAS PREMATURE DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH PULLEY AND REPLACED BELT WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE TO FINALLY RESOLVE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10208969 - Filed Oct 21, 2007Failure Jun 8, 200711,000 milesBrandon, FLModule
1) SIGNAL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING,THEN HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT, THEN SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING, THEN ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AND BIKE WILL NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL IS OUT. 3) CALLED BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE DEALER. WAS TOLD THE 2004 EHC MODULE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND MUST UP GRADE TO AN 07 WITH HARNESS. COST DIFFERENCE $202.00 FOR 2004 AND 650.00 FOR AN 2007 MODULE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10206475 - Filed Aug 1, 2007Failure Apr 29, 200712,000 milesDraper, UTElectrical system
2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE. MOTORCYCLE KEEPS LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO AN INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER. THIS SAME EHC HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2005 AND 2006 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO CRASH BUT I HIT CONSTRUCTION CONES AND ALMOST CRASHED TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10198224 - Filed Feb 16, 2005Failure Nov 21, 200450 milesSaint Joseph, ILSwitch
WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE MOTORCYCLE'S TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHORTED OUT BECAUSE WATER RAN DOWN THE COIL WIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10111604 - Filed Jan 13, 2005Failure Aug 6, 2004Honolulu, HIPower train
WHILE RIDING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A RETCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA WHICH TOOK PLACE OF THE POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO REAR WHEEL DURING ACCELERATION. *BF THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE BELT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC
NHTSA complaint 10109462 - Filed Jan 7, 2005Failure Nov 2, 2004Baltimore, MDService brakes, Master cylinder
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V137000 CONCERNING REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL. AFTER HAVING THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES FAILED. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10107039
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
8 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- 1077 Jun 16, 2006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
HEADLAMP CONNECTOR MAY MELT, MAKING BULB REPLACEMENT DIFFICULT. *TT - 1078 Jun 23, 2006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
EHC CONTACT IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE (REVISED). CURRENT SEAL DOES NOT ALLOW CONNECTOR PINS TO SEAT PROPERLY AND MOISTURE MAY BE PRESENT IN CONNECTOR. *TT - 1080 Apr 27, 2006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TACHOMETER BOARD REPLACEMENT - INACCURATE TACHOMETER READINGS OR FLUCTUATION IN READINGS DUE TO MOISTURE. *AK - 1075 May 3, 2006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
DIELECTRIC GREASE ADDITION TO CONNECTORS. *TT - 1046 Oct 25, 2004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
FORK DUST COVER O-RING NONCONFORMANCE. O-RING IS DISPLACED FROM O-RING GROOVE. *TT - 1042 Sep 15, 2004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
EHC REPLACEMENT. INCORRECT ELECTRICAL COMPONENT INSTALLATION RESULTING IN A DAMAGED EHC. *TT - 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 - 1039 Jul 12, 2004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
KICKSTAND SPRING STUD FRACTURE. ALL BIGDOG 2004 MODELS. *TT
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.