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: 4 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. 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
4 reports
11,000 miles · Sep 9, 2010
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REFERENCING, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V180000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL REMEDY IN JUNE AND THEY STATED THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND IT WOULD BE ABOUT 2 MONTHS. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REFERENCING, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V180000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL REMEDY IN JUNE AND THEY STATED THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND IT WOULD BE ABOUT 2 MONTHS. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE PART IS NOT MANUFACTURED ANYMORE AND THEY MAY BE ABLE TO GET IT FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER BUT IT WOULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 6 TO 7 WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000.
NHTSA ODI #10354718
8,000 miles · Jul 29, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG DAYTEC CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLUCTUATE FROM ON AND OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE EHC MODULE HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG DAYTEC CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FLUCTUATE FROM ON AND OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE EHC MODULE HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000.
NHTSA ODI #10346108
25,440 miles · Feb 13, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIGDOG DAYTEC CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORME…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIGDOG DAYTEC CHOPPER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,440.
NHTSA ODI #10258602
210,002 miles · Mar 11, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG DAYTEC CHOPPER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT RIDES THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF, INCLUDING THE MOTORCYCLE ITSELF. HE HAS TAKEN THE BIKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EHC MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE HIS MO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG DAYTEC CHOPPER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT RIDES THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF, INCLUDING THE MOTORCYCLE ITSELF. HE HAS TAKEN THE BIKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EHC MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE HIS MODEL YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,00 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,00. UPDATED 04-08-08 *BF
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE PISTON IN THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SIZED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO DRAG OR LOCKUP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PISTON FROM THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW PISTON. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-267-9121.
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.
2004 Bigdog Daytec Chopper Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year