2004 Bigdog CHOPPER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
5,345 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 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). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2005: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10107039 · 2005-01-07 (January 7, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10107039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109462 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111604 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10198224 · 2007-08-01 (August 1, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10198224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206475 · 2007-10-21 (October 21, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208969 · 2007-11-14 (November 14, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229998 · 2008-06-05 (June 5, 2008)
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 EXPERIE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,345 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229998 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗04V137000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 2004-03-23 (March 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V164000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 2004-04-06 (April 6, 2004)
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.
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 ↗06V019000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand
Reported: 2006-01-25 (January 25, 2006)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗