2004 Bigdog Ridgeback
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Bigdog › Ridgeback › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2004 Bigdog Ridgeback. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
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.
On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring may stretch and detach from the mounting bracket or the kickstand.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This will allow the kickstand to deploy into the extended position and cause a crash.
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.
On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring attaching stud may break off allowing the kickstand to deploy into the extended position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the kickstand deploys, it could cause a crash without prior warning.
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.
On certain motorcycles, a screw may become loose in the handlebar control due to the lack of a lock washer and loctite.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause the throttle or front brake control to bind, which could result in a crash.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
4 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
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
- Electrical system
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…
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 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
- Engine and engine cooling
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…
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.
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling · Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) · Service brakes, hydraulic · Suspension
While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. the vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the control module needed to be replaced. *nm the stalling occurred while…
While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. the vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the control module needed to be replaced. *nm the stalling occurred while stopped at signal lights and would stall after starting. at the present time, the vehicle IS fixed. the consumer stated that the sales dealer had private rights to the key system such as the electronics/wiring. no other dealer including the authorized dealer could repair the problem without the intervention of the sales dealer. there was a battery acid leak, the disc pads and rotors had worn out, the rear rocker box leaked oil, there was an oil pump leak, the transmission cover leaked, the ignition switch was bad, there was noise in the front end, and the engine would stall with no start and when the vehicle cooled down, the engine would run normal. *sc *jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Motorcycle Stalling
This RQ was opened based on seemingly related owner complaints involving motorcycles outside the scope of 06V-301.During the course of subsequent discussions with the company, we learned that the earlier model year Big Dogs had a problem with the electronic harness control module connector that they'd previously…
This RQ was opened based on seemingly related owner complaints involving motorcycles outside the scope of 06V-301.During the course of subsequent discussions with the company, we learned that the earlier model year Big Dogs had a problem with the electronic harness control module connector that they'd previously addressed with a TSB.Since the TSB addressed a safety-related issue (stalling), Big Dog agreed to recall the motorcycles subject to the TSB (10V-180).With that decision, ODI agreed to waive requiring a response to its information request and is now closing this RQ.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10026832Bigdog motorcycle: fuel tank vent may become flooded with fuel, causing the motorcycle to run poorly due to a fuel mixture that IS too rich.
- 10020152Horn harness wires may break.
- 10020065Headlamp connector may melt, making bulb replacement difficult.
- 10020045Ehc contact improvement procedure (revised). Current seal does not allow connector pins to seat properly and moisture may be present in connector.
- 10019984Tachometer board replacement - inaccurate tachometer readings or fluctuation in readings due to moisture.
- 10019909Dielectric grease addition to connectors.
- 10016838Fork dust cover o-ring nonconformance. O-ring IS displaced from o-ring groove.
- 10010470Ehc replacement. Incorrect electrical component installation resulting in a damaged ehc.
- 10010405Belt and chassis issues. Drive belt noise,drive belt ratcheting, swing arm to frame contact. Bigdog service bulletin w/t attachments a-h. Various models including 2003 big dog pitbull, ridgeback and daytec chopper.
- 10009565Kickstand spring stud fracture. All bigdog 2004 models.
Every Bigdog Ridgeback model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.