2004 Big Dog Ridgeback problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System 2010-05-03 · campaign 10V180000 · 1,895 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (10)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly 2008-01-11 · SB-1099 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
bigdog motorcycle: fuel tank vent may become flooded with fuel, causing the motorcycle to run poorly due to a fuel mixture that is too rich. *pe
Electrical System:horn 2006-06-30 · 1088 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
horn harness wires may break. *tt
Electrical System 2006-06-23 · 1078 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ehc contact improvement procedure (revised). current seal does not allow connector pins to seat properly and moisture may be present in connector. *tt
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2006-06-16 · 1077 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
headlamp connector may melt, making bulb replacement difficult. *tt
Electrical System 2006-05-03 · 1075 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dielectric grease addition to connectors. *tt
Structure 2006-04-27 · 1080 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tachometer board replacement - inaccurate tachometer readings or fluctuation in readings due to moisture. *ak
Showing the 6 most recent of 10 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2014-06-24 · Electrical System · 5,000 mi“apparently there was a recall i was never informed of. now the company is no longer in business, so what am i to do? i have no headlight, horn, and the bike won't start. *tr…”
2010-11-15 · Electrical System · 7,500 mi“ehc module on 2004 big dog ridgeback motorcycles, it occurs everytime i try to ride the motorcycle it is very dangerous, the engine stalled going down the highway at 65 mph and almost didn't get out of traffic, the lights, speedometer and other safety signals stop working and i am told other years have been recalled but not 2004 and the parts to f…”
2010-10-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 2,800 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2004 big dog ridgeback motorcycle. the contact was driving approximately 60 mph, the engine completely stalled without warning. the vehicle was cautiously coasted to the side of the road. the engine restarted after waiting between thirty minutes to a hour. the vehicle was towed to a dealer and was repaired under a manufacturer…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.