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 3 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 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 →
Structure. 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
3 reports
1,500 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureWheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT HAS HAD SIX LIFE THREATENING RECALLS CONSISTING OF THE WHEEL HUB NUT, COMPUTER HARNESS, SWING ARM PENDENT, IGNITION RELAY, KICK STAND SPRING, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR ALL SIX RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. HE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT HAS HAD SIX LIFE THREATENING RECALLS CONSISTING OF THE WHEEL HUB NUT, COMPUTER HARNESS, SWING ARM PENDENT, IGNITION RELAY, KICK STAND SPRING, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR ALL SIX RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO RECTIFY THE FAILURES AND HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
NHTSA ODI #10213282
1,900 miles · Jul 7, 2006
Electrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE SEEMS AS IF IT ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE BECAME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE GASKETS AND GREASED THE CONNECTIONS TO STOP THE WATER FROM SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10161758
5,200 miles · Mar 6, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY PROVIDES AN INCORRECT READING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THE MAGNETIC SENSOR ABOVE THE TRANSMISSION INTERFERES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH RESULTS IN THE INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER CLEANED THE MAGNETIC STRIP, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR FENDER STRUT ATTACHING BOLTS CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE REAR FENDER TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN INJURY OR A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE EXISTING STRUT BOLTS AND REPLACE WITH HIGHER TENSILE STRENGTH ATTACHING BOLTS AND UPDATED WASHERS. HIGHER TORQUE VALUES WILL BE OBSERVED WHEN INSTALLING THE REPLACEMENT FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE LONG PIVOT BOLT MAY BEND OR BREAK DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE REAR FENDER TO ABRADE AGAINST THE REAR TIRE WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LONG PIVOT BOLT AND, IF NECESSARY, STRAIGHTEN THE REAR FRAME SIDE PANEL. THE SHORT LEFT SIDE PIVOT BOLT AND PIVOT SHAFT MAY ALSO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE IGNITION MODULES ARE ORIENTED WITHIN THE BATTERY TRAY IN A WAY THAT MAKES THE IGNITION MODULE SUSCEPTIBLE TO VIBRATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS SUSCEPTIBILITY TO VIBRATION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO A STALLING CONDITION THAT COULD OCCUR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW IGNITION MODULE MOUNTING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 25, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 316-267-9121.
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 Bigdog Chopper Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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