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: 3 of 4 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.
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 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
4 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I BOUGHT THIS BIKE FOR MY HUSBAND AT BLACK HILLS HARLEY DAVIDSON,RAPID CITY SD JAN 2015. WE HAD TO RIGHT AWAY GET NEW BATTERY,NEW IGNITION SWITCHES,WE WENT TO GO OUT FOR A RIDE LAST WEEK FINALLY AND ONCE AGAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE, I HAVE FOUND A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, HARLEY DAVIDSON WILL NOT REPAIR, BIG DOG WENT OUT OF BUSINESS I…
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I BOUGHT THIS BIKE FOR MY HUSBAND AT BLACK HILLS HARLEY DAVIDSON,RAPID CITY SD JAN 2015. WE HAD TO RIGHT AWAY GET NEW BATTERY,NEW IGNITION SWITCHES,WE WENT TO GO OUT FOR A RIDE LAST WEEK FINALLY AND ONCE AGAIN HEADLIGHT FAILURE, I HAVE FOUND A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, HARLEY DAVIDSON WILL NOT REPAIR, BIG DOG WENT OUT OF BUSINESS I WAS TOLD THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS RECALL FOR SEVEN YEARS? I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO OR DO I NEED LEGAL REPRESENTATION? MY VIN NUMBER [XXX] NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:10V180000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10724153
12,000 miles · Jan 4, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SINCE THE BIKE WAS NEW. HEADLIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON & OFF, REAR TAIL LIGHTS FLASHED ON & OFF. NOTHING WAS FOUND WHEN BIKE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. EHC MODULE COMPLETELY FAILED NOW AND BIKE WILL NOT RUN. TOLD THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND WHE…
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THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SINCE THE BIKE WAS NEW. HEADLIGHT WOULD FLICKER ON & OFF, REAR TAIL LIGHTS FLASHED ON & OFF. NOTHING WAS FOUND WHEN BIKE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. EHC MODULE COMPLETELY FAILED NOW AND BIKE WILL NOT RUN. TOLD THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND WHEN IT IS, IT WILL COST WELL OVER $1000.00 TO REPAIR AND BIG DOG REFUSES TO COVER IT AND SAID "SORRY, BIKE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374072
5,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG MASTIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V180000, (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS AUTHORIZED DEALERS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG MASTIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V180000, (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS AUTHORIZED DEALERS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE NECESSARY PARTS TO PERFORM THE REMEDY WERE UNAVAILABLE DUE TO THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,300.
NHTSA ODI #10361509
1,300 miles · Mar 29, 2010
Electrical System
2004 AND OTHER YEARS. THE ECH UNIT. MANY OF THESE HAVE WENT BAD. THE BIG DOG COMPANY IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. I WAS HOPING TO GET AN INVESTIGATION STARTED.
BIG DOG IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2004 CHOPPER, BULLDOG, RIDGEBACK, MASTIFF, BOXER, AND PITBULL MOTORCYCLES. THERE IS A POSSIBLE LOOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AND THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE THE MOTORCYCLE TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO VARIOUS COMPONENTS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A LOSS OF HEADLAMP FUNCTION OR A VEHICLE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BIG DOG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-9121.
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
1
RQ10002 · Motorcycle Stalling
Opened Jan 27, 2010 · Closed May 10, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring
This RQ was opened based on seemingly related owner complaints involving motorcycles outside the scope of 06V-301.During the course of subsequent discussions with the company, we learned that the earlier model year Big Dogs had a problem with the electronic harness control module connector that they'd previously addressed with a TSB.Since the TSB addressed a safety-related issue (stalling), Big Dog agreed to recall the motorcycles subject to the TSB (10V-180).With that decision, ODI agreed to waive requiring a response to its information request and is now closing this RQ.
2004 Big Dog Mastiff Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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