2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
7
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER
The 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER has received a total of 7 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Big Dog Motorcycles, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (2 complaints), Electrical Systemignitionmodule (1 complaint), and Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER, potentially affecting up to 19,633 vehicles.
Recall 06V019000 — STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND
| 9,726 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE KICKSTAND SPRING MAY STRETCH AND DETACH FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET OR THE KICKSTAND.
Consequence: THIS WILL ALLOW THE KICKSTAND TO DEPLOY INTO THE EXTENDED POSITION AND CAUSE A CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 04V523000 — STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND
| 4,457 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE KICKSTAND SPRING ATTACHING STUD MAY BREAK OFF ALLOWING THE KICKSTAND TO DEPLOY INTO THE EXTENDED POSITION.
Consequence: IF THE KICKSTAND DEPLOYS, IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.
View full details →Recall 04V137000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 1,906 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PISTON FROM THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW PISTON. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.
View full details →Recall 04V164000 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
| 2,098 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A SCREW MAY BECOME LOOSE IN THE HANDLEBAR CONTROL DUE TO THE LACK OF A LOCK WASHER AND LOCTITE.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE OR FRONT BRAKE CONTROL TO BIND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOCK WASHER AND LOCTITE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-7006.
View full details →Recall 03V535000 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
| 1,446 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES ASSEMBLED WITH AN EARLY VERSION ROLLING THUNDER FRAME, A STRESS CRACK COULD EMERGE IN THE FRAME.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionmodule | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traindriveline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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
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
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
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
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
Safety Rating for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER
Big Dog Motorcycles, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
1039 — STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND
KICKSTAND SPRING STUD FRACTURE. ALL BIGDOG 2004 MODELS. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BIGDOG CHOPPER
- 2003 BIGDOG CHOPPER — 11 complaints
- 2004 BIGDOG CHOPPER (current)
- 2005 BIGDOG CHOPPER — 5 complaints
- 2006 BIGDOG CHOPPER — 0 complaints
- 2007 BIGDOG CHOPPER — 0 complaints
Other BIGDOG Models
- BIGDOG PITBULL — 13 total complaints
- BIGDOG RIDGEBACK — 9 total complaints
- BIGDOG MASTIFF — 6 total complaints
- BIGDOG DAYTEC CHOPPER — 4 total complaints
- BIGDOG BULL DOG — 3 total complaints
- BIGDOG BIG DOG — 2 total complaints
- BIGDOG PIT BULL — 2 total complaints
- BIGDOG BDM — 1 total complaint