2003 Bigdog CHOPPER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
430 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 11 complaints (54.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 6; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 2 |
2003: 1; 2004: 8; 2005: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10031994 · 2003-08-04 (August 4, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061663 · 2004-03-09 (March 9, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063184 · 2004-03-15 (March 15, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064814 · 2004-03-24 (March 24, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065001 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065404 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 976 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066582 · 2004-04-05 (April 5, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066608 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 41 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066608 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL TANK MOUNT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TANK TO FAIL WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL SPILLAGE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FUEL TANK AND SHIP IT TO BIG DOG FOR REPAIR. BIG DOG WILL RE-WELD THE MOUNT, REPAIR THE PAINT, AND RETURN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR RE-INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-6584.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V535000 · Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 2003-12-18 (December 18, 2003)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V523000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand
Reported: 2004-11-02 (November 2, 2004)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗