NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Bigdog Ridgeback Recalls & Complaints

The 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Bigdog dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2004 Bigdog Ridgeback owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback, describing incidents dated April 20, 2004.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10113080 · Filed March 25, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE STALLING OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT…

Read the full complaint

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.

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/HANDLEBAR

NHTSA #04V164000 · Steering — Steering Wheel/Handle Bar · NHTSA notice

Reported April 6, 2004 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 2,098 vehicles

Owners notified April 12, 2004 · Vehicles built August 8, 2003 – March 26, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, A SCREW MAY BECOME LOOSE IN THE HANDLEBAR CONTROL DUE TO THE LACK OF A LOCK WASHER AND LOCTITE.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE OR FRONT BRAKE CONTROL TO BIND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

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/REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTON

NHTSA #04V137000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2004 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,906 vehicles

Owners notified April 12, 2004 · Vehicles built September 19, 2003 – March 16, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

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 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback. 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 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback.

Suspension; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #10113080

Incident: April 20, 2004 · Filed: March 25, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE STALLING OCCURRED WHILE STOPPED AT SIGNAL LIGHTS AND WOULD STALL AFTER STARTING. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE VEHICLE IS FIXED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SALES DEALER HAD PRIVATE RIGHTS TO THE KEY SYSTEM SUCH AS THE ELECTRONICS/WIRING. NO OTHER DEALER INCLUDING THE AUTHORIZED DEALER COULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF THE SALES DEALER. THERE WAS A BATTERY ACID LEAK, THE DISC PADS AND ROTORS HAD WORN OUT, THE REAR ROCKER BOX LEAKED OIL, THERE WAS AN OIL PUMP LEAK, THE TRANSMISSION COVER LEAKED, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD, THERE WAS NOISE IN THE FRONT END, AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITH NO START AND WHEN THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN, THE ENGINE WOULD RUN NORMAL. *SC *JB

Other Bigdog Ridgeback model years

Check your 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback VIN

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

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