RecallMyCar

Bigdog Pitbull Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints across 6 model years of the Bigdog Pitbull (1998–2006). The most-complained-about year is 2005.

11
safety recalls, all years
11
owner complaints, all years
2004
year with most recalls
2005
year with most complaints

Pick your Bigdog Pitbull model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2006 Bigdog Pitbull20
2005 Bigdog Pitbull54
2004 Bigdog Pitbull51
2002 Bigdog Pitbull13
1999 Bigdog Pitbull13
1998 Bigdog Pitbull10

What Bigdog Pitbull owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The 2005 model year has the most, with 4.

All Bigdog Pitbull recalls (11)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Bigdog Pitbull, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Electrical system

    NHTSA 10V180000 Reported 1,895 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    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.

    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 years: 2004

  2. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

    NHTSA 07V356000 Reported 7,611 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On certain motorcycles, a warped bus bar within the voltage regulator can cause a short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the existing circuit breaker located between the voltage regulator positive battery lead (b+ lead) and the positive battery terminal with an alternative circuit protection device that will prevent…

    Model years: 2005, 2006

  3. Electrical system

    NHTSA 06V305000 Reported 2,101 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On certain motorcycles, the electronic harness control (ehc) module can fail resulting in a total shut down of the vehicle's electronic power.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ehc modules free of charge. The recall began on september 19, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.

    Model years: 2005

  4. Kickstand/center stand (structure)

    NHTSA 06V019000 Reported 9,726 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring may stretch and detach from the mounting bracket or the kickstand.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new kickstand spring free of charge. The recall began on february 17, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.

    Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006

  5. Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)

    NHTSA 05V432000 Reported 3,294 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    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.

    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.

    Model years: 2005

  6. Power train

    NHTSA 05V149000 Reported 1,418 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On certain motorcycles, the primary drive sprocket nut may back off the engine main shaft.

    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 years: 2005

  7. Kickstand/center stand (structure)

    NHTSA 04V523000 Reported 4,457 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring attaching stud may break off allowing the kickstand to deploy into the extended position.

    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.

    Model years: 2004

  8. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 04V164000 Reported 2,098 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On certain motorcycles, a screw may become loose in the handlebar control due to the lack of a lock washer and loctite.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a lock washer and loctite. Owner notification began on april 12, 2004. Owners should contact big dog at 1-316-219-7006.

    Model years: 2004

  9. Master cylinder (service brakes)

    NHTSA 04V137000 Reported 1,906 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    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.

    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 years: 2004

  10. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 02V089000 Reported 1,035 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On certain motorcycles, the fuel tanks may have been improperly mounted to the motorcycle. This can put unnecessary stress on the tank mounting tabs, causing these tabs to fail, with the possibility of fuel spillage.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the tanks, replace the mounting grommets and related hardware, and remount the tanks. Owner notification began april 1, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

    Model years: 2002

  11. Frame and members (structure)

    NHTSA 02V016000 Reported 286 vehicles potentially affected BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES, LLC

    On some motorcycles, the rear fender front mounting tabs securing the rear fender can fracture, causing the rear fender to break away from the frame and drop onto the rear tire.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the welded tabs that partially support the rear fender, located under the seat, with two bolted-on fender clamps. The fender will be removed from the bike so that the mounting holes for the clamp…

    Model years: 1998, 1999

Other Bigdog models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.