IllustrationTHE RUBBER PEELED OFF OF THE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT THE PROBLEM WAS CONCLUDED AS A MOLD CLOSURE ISSUE. *SC
2003 Bigdog Chopper
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Chopper years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 5 of 11 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.
- Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read 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.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
11 reportsELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURNS SIGNALS FAILED. DEALER HAS KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SIX WEEKS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO REPAIR AND REINFORCE THE FRAME. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SERVICE MANAGER GARY.*AK
NHTSA 03V535000/FRAME CRACKS. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON JANUARY AND CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT IT WOULD TAKE THREE MONTHS FOR THEM TO FIX THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V535000, CONCERNING FRAME CRACKS. DEALER HAD THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 30, 2004. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK
CONSUMER BELIEVE HIS MOTORCYCLE QUALIFIED AS A LEMON DUE TO A CRACKED GAS TANK AT THE REAR MOUNTING PLATE. *PH CONSUMER DEMANDING FULL REFUND OF DOWN PAYMENT, SIX MONTHLY PAYMENTS, AND FULL PAY OFF FROM LOAN. *LA
DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE CONSUMER'S MOTORCYCLE 2 MONTHS AND 3 WEEKS AGO TO DELIVER IT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE FRAME CRACK RECALL 03V535000 REPAIRS PERFORMED. RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED YET BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT RECEIVE THE MOTORCYCLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL DEBRIS WHICH CAUSED THE KICK STAND TO BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED, THE DRIVER HAD LEFT THE KICK STAND OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
DEALER KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 15, 2004 FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V35000. ON THE FRAME CRACKING. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX MOTORCYCLE. DEALER STATED MOTORCYCLE HAD TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN KANSAS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WILL RETURN MOTORCYCLE WH…
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DEALER KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 15, 2004 FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V35000. ON THE FRAME CRACKING. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX MOTORCYCLE. DEALER STATED MOTORCYCLE HAD TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN KANSAS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WILL RETURN MOTORCYCLE WHEN THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LOAD A TRUCK TO BRING THEM BACK, THIS MIGHT TAKE ANOTHER MONTH. *AK
DEALER KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 24, 2004 FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V35000. ON THE FRAME CRACKING. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX MOTORCYCLE. DEALER STATED " MOTORCYCLE" HAD TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN KANSAS, TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WILL RETURN MOTORCYCL…
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DEALER KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 24, 2004 FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V35000. ON THE FRAME CRACKING. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX MOTORCYCLE. DEALER STATED " MOTORCYCLE" HAD TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN KANSAS, TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WILL RETURN MOTORCYCLE WHEN THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LOAD A TRUCK TO BRING THEM BACK, THIS MIGHT TAKE ANOTHER MONTH. *AK
Official recalls
304V523000 · Structure:motorcycle:kickstand/center Stand
Nov 2, 2004
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE KICKSTAND SPRING ATTACHING STUD MAY BREAK OFF ALLOWING THE KICKSTAND TO DEPLOY INTO THE EXTENDED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE KICKSTAND DEPLOYS, IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.
03V535000 · Structure:frame And Members
Dec 18, 2003
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES ASSEMBLED WITH AN EARLY VERSION ROLLING THUNDER FRAME, A STRESS CRACK COULD EMERGE IN THE FRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.
03V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Jun 23, 2003
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE FUEL TANK MOUNT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY WELDED. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TANK TO FAIL WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL SPILLAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FUEL TANK AND SHIP IT TO BIG DOG FOR REPAIR. BIG DOG WILL RE-WELD THE MOUNT, REPAIR THE PAINT, AND RETURN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR RE-INSTALLATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-6584.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.