2003 Big Dog Chopper Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 430miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Big Dog Chopper (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2003 Big Dog Chopper. The part named most often is body and structure, with 7 complaints (64% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and engine cooling (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 430 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the kickstand/center stand filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure7 64%
- Electrical system1 9.1%
- Engine cooling1 9.1%
- Fuel system1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “Dealer kept the motorcycle since january 24, 2004 for the NHTSA recall campaign 03v35000. On the frame cracking. Consumer called the dealer and asked when he will be able to fix motorcycle. Dealer stated motorcycle had to be sent to the manufacturer in kansas, to complete the recall. Manufacturer will return motorcycle when there was enough to load a truck to bring them back, this might take another month.”
NHTSA complaint #10061663, filed 2004-03, 430 milesElectrical system: “Electrical wiring malfunctioned. As a result, the brake light and turns signals failed. Dealer has kept the motorcycle for six weeks attempting to repair the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10117753, filed 2005-04, 2,000 milesEngine cooling: “Oil leaks, has been leaking under the motorcycle for about three weeks. Dealer has attempted to repair the problem twice, but it is still leaking. Dealer did not identify the failed component to the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10031994, filed 2003-08Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 300 and 976 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V523000Nov 2, 2004Structure › Motorcycle › Kickstand/center standCovers: Big Dog Chopper 2003–2004, Mastiff 2003–2004, Ridgeback 2004 +4 more
On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring attaching stud may break off allowing the kickstand to deploy into the extended position.
- 03V535000Dec 18, 2003Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Big Dog Chopper 2003–2004
On certain motorcycles assembled with an early version rolling thunder frame, a stress crack could emerge in the frame.
- 03V230000Jun 23, 2003Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › MountingCovers: Big Dog Chopper 2003
On certain motorcycles, the fuel tank mount may have been improperly welded. This can cause the tank to fail with the possibility of fuel spillage.
Recall details for the 2003 Big Dog Chopper → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10026832Jan 11, 2008Fuel system. 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.
- 10020152Jun 30, 2006Electrical system. Horn harness wires may break.
Other model years of the Big Dog Chopper
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 1,700 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 10 | 5,000 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 11 | 430 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Big Dog Chopper model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Big Dog Chopper have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2003 Big Dog Chopper as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Big Dog Chopper is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 7 complaints (64% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 2003 Big Dog Chopper been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Big Dog Chopper reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 430 miles and the middle half falls between 300 and 976 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.