NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Bigdog Pitbull Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Bigdog Pitbull has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 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 2005 Bigdog Pitbull. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2005 Bigdog Pitbull owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Bigdog Pitbull, describing incidents dated February 28, 2005 to October 15, 2005.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10146428 · Filed December 19, 2005
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2005 BIG DOG PIT BULL ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY DIED WHILE RIDING. *TS *JB
ODI #10142009 · Filed November 7, 2005
I JUST GOT A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL ON MY 2005 BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS (4) TO CONTACT BIGDOG TO SEE IF I CAN TAKE IT ANYWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN THE DEALER WHICH IS ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY, PLUS I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALER (ROLLING THUNDER) TO DO THE WORK PROPERLY BECAUSE OF TERRIBLE…
ODI #10127482 · Filed July 5, 2005
DT: CONSUMER HAD PURCHASED A BIG DOG PIT BULL 2005 MOTORCYCLE ON MAY 16, 2005. FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DID NOT PUMP FUEL THROUGH THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN AND NOT MOVE, ON JUNE 30, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED, THE REPLACED VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE BACK DISC BRAKES LOCKED UP…

Read all 4 complaints

VOLTAGE REGULATOR

NHTSA #07V356000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported August 8, 2007 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,611 vehicles

Owners notified October 1, 2007 · Vehicles built September 10, 2004 – August 10, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A WARPED BUS BAR WITHIN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CIRCUIT BREAKER LOCATED BETWEEN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR POSITIVE BATTERY LEAD (B+ LEAD) AND THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WITH AN ALTERNATIVE CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE THAT WILL PREVENT A THERMAL EVENT IF THERE IS A SHORT TO GROUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-9129 OR EMAIL TO [email protected].

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.

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 Bigdog Pitbull. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Bigdog Pitbull.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10146428

Incident: June 5, 2005 · Filed: December 19, 2005

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2005 BIG DOG PIT BULL ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY DIED WHILE RIDING. *TS *JB

Wheels

ODI #10142009

Incident: October 15, 2005 · Filed: November 7, 2005

I JUST GOT A LETTER ABOUT A RECALL ON MY 2005 BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS (4) TO CONTACT BIGDOG TO SEE IF I CAN TAKE IT ANYWHERE ELSE OTHER THAN THE DEALER WHICH IS ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY, PLUS I DO NOT TRUST THE DEALER (ROLLING THUNDER) TO DO THE WORK PROPERLY BECAUSE OF TERRIBLE WORK DONE IN THE PAST. I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. COULD YOU PLEASE HELP. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10127482

Incident: May 16, 2005 · Filed: July 5, 2005

DT: CONSUMER HAD PURCHASED A BIG DOG PIT BULL 2005 MOTORCYCLE ON MAY 16, 2005. FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM DID NOT PUMP FUEL THROUGH THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN AND NOT MOVE, ON JUNE 30, 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED, THE REPLACED VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE BACK DISC BRAKES LOCKED UP, THE BRAKE WAS SMOKING, VIN NUMBER WAS FOR THE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, NONE OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AS OF NOW, WHEN CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK TO HIM. *AK

Electrical System

ODI #10115802

Incident: February 28, 2005 · Filed: March 24, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V052000 CONCERNING ELECTRIC HARNESS CONTROL. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO HONOR THIS RECALL BECAUSE NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

Other Bigdog Pitbull model years

Check your 2005 Bigdog Pitbull VIN

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

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