NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Big Dog Chopper DT Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Big Dog Chopper DT has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Big Dog dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Big Dog Chopper DT. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Big Dog Chopper DT owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2005 Big Dog Chopper DT, describing incidents dated August 15, 2005.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10134114 · Filed August 24, 2005
DT: 2005 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT A MOTORCYCLE AND WHEN HE PICKED IT UP AND DROVE IT LESS THAN ONE HOUR THERE WAS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE THAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SMOKING PROBLEM. DROVE IT HOME, AND THE…

Read the full complaint

ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL (EHC) MODULE

NHTSA #06V305000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported August 11, 2006 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 2,101 vehicles

Owners notified September 19, 2006

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL (EHC) MODULE CAN FAIL RESULTING IN A TOTAL SHUT DOWN OF THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC POWER.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EHC MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

KICKSTAND SPRING

NHTSA #06V019000 · Structure — Motorcycle — Kickstand/Center Stand · NHTSA notice

Reported January 25, 2006 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 9,726 vehicles

Owners notified February 17, 2006 · Vehicles built August 8, 2003 – January 13, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE KICKSTAND SPRING MAY STRETCH AND DETACH FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET OR THE KICKSTAND.

Safety consequence

THIS WILL ALLOW THE KICKSTAND TO DEPLOY INTO THE EXTENDED POSITION AND CAUSE A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

REAR WHEEL HUB BOLTS

NHTSA #05V432000 · Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · NHTSA notice

Reported September 28, 2005 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,294 vehicles

Owners notified October 14, 2005 · Vehicles built September 20, 2004 – June 1, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR WHEEL HUB BOLTS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT ALLOWING THE HUB AND BRAKE ROTOR TO DETACH FROM THE WHEEL WITH AN ASSOCIATED LOSS OF STOPPING POWER.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE, CLEAN AND REATTACH THE REAR HUB BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-312-267-9121.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

PRIMARY DRIVE SPROCKET NUT

NHTSA #05V149000 · Power Train · NHTSA notice

Reported April 14, 2005 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,418 vehicles

Owners notified May 13, 2005 · Vehicles built August 1, 2004 – January 22, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE PRIMARY DRIVE SPROCKET NUT MAY BACK OFF THE ENGINE MAIN SHAFT.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE PRIMARY DRIVE TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE A CRASH. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DRIVE SPROCKET NUT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Big Dog Chopper DT. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Big Dog Chopper DT.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10134114

Incident: August 15, 2005 · Filed: August 24, 2005

DT: 2005 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT A MOTORCYCLE AND WHEN HE PICKED IT UP AND DROVE IT LESS THAN ONE HOUR THERE WAS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE THAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. TOOK MOTORCYCLE TO DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SMOKING PROBLEM. DROVE IT HOME, AND THE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AGAIN. CALLED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID TO BRING VEHICLE BACK AGAIN, THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO RE-OUT THE OIL HOSE THAT CAME OUT OF THE HEADS. THEY CHECKED THE HOSE, AND THAT WAS WHERE THE OIL WAS LEAKING OUT, AND IT WAS GOING THROUGH THE AIR BREATHER UNDERNEATH THE MOTORCYCLE TO THE BACK TIRE, DRIVE BELT. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

Check your 2005 Big Dog Chopper DT VIN

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