- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2004 Big Dog Ridgeback Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (2) and the engine & cooling (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 2010 for the electrical system. For comparison, the 2005 has 10.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Ridgeback year, for its age
#311 most complained-about 2004 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2004 Big Dog Ridgeback recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
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 fix it are not available from big dog manufacturer so I cant even fix it they say they are not replacing it but revamping it and I feel it is not fair to all owners there...
Read the full complaint
are aftermarket parts but no oem parts and I cant trust my life with aftermarket parts hoping they will work, I have the malfunctioning part still but need to get some answers and big dog is not willing to help can you please help me and others that are concerned I fell it should be a recall since they are not even making the part and say it may be months before they have any parts available for the ehc module they tried to blame it on a loose connection and that didn't fix the problem and caused the concern for me since it is a serious safety problem especially on a motorcycle this is happening on the 2004 big dog ridgeback motorcycles, I don't have the exact miles on the motorcycle because it has been in the shop for a few months now but it is around 7500 thanks. *Tr
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 voluntary recall associated with the electronic control harness. The failure occurred after the repair on four different times. The cam sensor was replaced on a separate occasion. Currently, the vehicle was being repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 2,800.
Big Dog Ridgeback: every year compared
All Ridgeback years2004 Big Dog Ridgeback vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback | 3 | 1 | C | |
| 2004 Big Dog Mastiff | 4 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Big Dog Chopper | 3 | 1 | - | Compare |
| 2004 Big Dog Pitbull | 2 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback
Does the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback: electrical system (May 2010). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (2), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 13, 2010 and the latest on June 24, 2014. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Big Dog Ridgeback year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Big Dog Ridgeback years have the most complaints?
2005 (10), 2004 (3), 2006 (3). See every Big Dog Ridgeback year compared.
What should I do if my 2004 Big Dog Ridgeback has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data