Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
42 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 E…
Read full complaint
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
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE PRIMARY DRIVE SPROCKET NUT MAY BACK OFF THE ENGINE MAIN SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PRIMARY DRIVE TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE A CRASH. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Big Dog Chopper Dt Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year