Model year record

2003 BIGDOG Chopper

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 11 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V523000

Structure: motorcycle: kickstand/center stand

Component: Structure: motorcycle: kickstand/center stand
Manufacturer: BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC
Vehicles affected: 4,457
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-11-02
Owners notified: 2004-12-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE KICKSTAND SPRING ATTACHING STUD MAY BREAK OFF ALLOWING THE KICKSTAND TO DEPLOY INTO THE EXTENDED POSITION.

Safety risk

IF THE KICKSTAND DEPLOYS, IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V535000

Structure: frame and members

Component: Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer: BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC
Vehicles affected: 1,446
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-12-18
Owners notified: 2004-01-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES ASSEMBLED WITH AN EARLY VERSION ROLLING THUNDER FRAME, A STRESS CRACK COULD EMERGE IN THE FRAME.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V230000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer: BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC
Vehicles affected: 845
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-06-23
Owners notified: 2003-07-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Structure: frame and members	6	430 mi
Electrical system: wiring	1	2,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	41 mi
Structure: motorcycle: kickstand/center stand	1	—
Tires	1	300 mi

The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.