NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Bigdog Ridgeback Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 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 Ridgeback. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Bigdog Ridgeback owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback, describing incidents dated June 5, 2006 to April 2, 2007.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10186711 · Filed April 2, 2007
IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK, MULTIPLE PROBLEMS BEGAN TO ARISE. THE BIKE WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON, ALSO IT HAD AN EVER INCREASING SQUEAL THAT EVENTUALLY BECAME LOUDER THAN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER THAT THE BIKE WAS PURCHASED FROM WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE…
ODI #10159108 · Filed June 6, 2006
THE TWO BOLTS HOLDING THE FRONT CALIPER ON MY 2005 BIGDOG RIDGEBACK BACKED OUT. I DISCOVERED IT AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE TWO BOLTS HAD BACKED OUT TO WHERE THEY WERE BEING HELD BY A COUPLE OF THREADS. I THEN REMOVED THE BOLTS, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO" LOCKTITE" APPLIED TO…

Read all 2 complaints

CRACKING SPOKES WHEEL

NHTSA #09V147000 · Wheels — Hubcap/Cover · NHTSA notice

Reported May 1, 2009 · BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

Potentially affected: 1,257 vehicles

Owners notified May 29, 2009 · Vehicles built September 10, 2004 – July 25, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BIG DOG IS RECALLING 1,257 MY 2005 RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR WHEEL MAY HAVE WEAK SPOTS IN THE DESIGN, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE WHEEL TO CRACK UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Safety consequence

IF UNDETECTED, THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-316-267-9121.

Notes

OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

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

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #10186711

Incident: April 2, 2007 · Filed: April 2, 2007

IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK, MULTIPLE PROBLEMS BEGAN TO ARISE. THE BIKE WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON, ALSO IT HAD AN EVER INCREASING SQUEAL THAT EVENTUALLY BECAME LOUDER THAN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER THAT THE BIKE WAS PURCHASED FROM WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUES AND WAS DISHONEST ABOUT THE SERVICE THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO. EVENTUALLY THAT DEALER REFUNDED THE MONEY FOR MY FIRST SERVICE AND PAID ME BACK FOR MOST OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO MY BIKE. OBVIOUSLY I NO LONGER WISH TO BRING MY BIKE THERE FOR SERVICE. AFTER REALIZING THAT THERE WERE NO FACTORY SERVICE CENTERS WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE, I CONTACTED THE BIG DOG FACTORY AND WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. I EVEN TRAILERED THE BIKE TO DAYTONA WHERE THE FACTORY MECHANIC DID A NON-APPROVED REPAIR ON THE SQUEAL, BUT THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. SINCE DAYTONA THE FACTORY HAS FAILED TO REMEDY MY PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE FRONT AND REAR HUB BOLTS ARE COMING LOOSE, THE ENGINE STILL SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY, AND THE RE-MACHINING OF THE FRONT PULLEY COULD LEAD TO A BELT FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I'T APPEARS THAT SEVERAL OF MY BIKES ISSUES WERE ACTUALLY RECALLS THAT BOTH THE DEALER AND THE FACTORY HAVE IGGNORED. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS BIKE IS UNSAFE!!!! *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10159108

Incident: June 5, 2006 · Filed: June 6, 2006

THE TWO BOLTS HOLDING THE FRONT CALIPER ON MY 2005 BIGDOG RIDGEBACK BACKED OUT. I DISCOVERED IT AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. THE TWO BOLTS HAD BACKED OUT TO WHERE THEY WERE BEING HELD BY A COUPLE OF THREADS. I THEN REMOVED THE BOLTS, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO" LOCKTITE" APPLIED TO EITHER OF THE BOLTS. IF THE FRONT CALIPER FALLS OFF WHILE RIDING, IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. I PURCHASED SOME "LOCKTITE", AND APPLIED IT TO THE BOLT THREADS, AND REINSTALLED THE BOLTS. *JB

Other Bigdog Ridgeback model years

Check your 2005 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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