NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Bigdog Chopper Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Bigdog Chopper has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 11 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Bigdog dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Bigdog Chopper. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Bigdog Chopper owner complaints

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Bigdog Chopper, describing incidents dated October 25, 2003 to February 28, 2005.

Most-cited components

Structure 7 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint

Of the 11 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 11 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10117753 · Filed April 12, 2005
ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURNS SIGNALS FAILED. DEALER HAS KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SIX WEEKS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
ODI #10115079 · Filed June 20, 2005
THE RUBBER PEELED OFF OF THE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT THE PROBLEM WAS CONCLUDED AS A MOLD CLOSURE ISSUE. *SC
ODI #10067105 · Filed May 11, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO REPAIR AND REINFORCE THE FRAME. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER GARY.*AK

Read all 11 complaints

BIG DOG/KICKSTAND SPRING STUD FRACTURE

NHTSA #04V523000 · Structure — Motorcycle — Kickstand/Center Stand · NHTSA notice

Reported November 2, 2004 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 4,457 vehicles

Owners notified December 20, 2004 · Vehicles built August 8, 2003 – September 23, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BIG DOG/FRAME CRACKS

NHTSA #03V535000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2003 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,446 vehicles

Owners notified January 15, 2004

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BIG DOG/FUEL TANK MOUNT WELDING

NHTSA #03V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2003 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 845 vehicles

Owners notified July 31, 2003 · Vehicles built September 24, 2002 – June 13, 2003 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Bigdog Chopper. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Bigdog Chopper.

Electrical System

ODI #10117753

Incident: February 28, 2005 · Filed: April 12, 2005

ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURNS SIGNALS FAILED. DEALER HAS KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SIX WEEKS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

Tires

ODI #10115079

Incident: January 10, 2004 · Filed: June 20, 2005

THE RUBBER PEELED OFF OF THE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT THE PROBLEM WAS CONCLUDED AS A MOLD CLOSURE ISSUE. *SC

Structure

ODI #10067105

Incident: April 20, 2004 · Filed: May 11, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO REPAIR AND REINFORCE THE FRAME. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER GARY.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10066608

Filed: 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

Structure

ODI #10066582

Filed: 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

Structure

ODI #10065404

Incident: January 30, 2004 · Filed: 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

Structure

ODI #10065001

Incident: January 12, 2004 · Filed: 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

Structure

ODI #10064814

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 25, 2003 · Filed: 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

Structure

ODI #10063184

Incident: March 15, 2004 · Filed: 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

Structure

ODI #10061663

Incident: March 9, 2004 · Filed: 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

Other Bigdog Chopper model years

Check your 2003 Bigdog Chopper VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Bigdog Chopper at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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