Big Dog Pitbull Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the Big Dog Pitbull (1999–2005) that have at least 5 complaints. 2005 has the most, with 7. Across all years, the part named most often is wheels (3 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Pitbull model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 7 | 3,000 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 5 | 4,100 | 1 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Wheels3 23%
- Body and structure3 23%
- Electrical system3 23%
- Tires1 7.7%
- Fuel system1 7.7%
- Engine cooling1 7.7%
- Brakes1 7.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2005: “I recently purchased an avon cobra motorcycle tire (300/35r18). In less than 2000 miles of normal riding conditions, the center of the tire is beginning to erode off the tire. I don't spin or burnout, yet the center of the tire now has a 2 to 3 wide section that appears to be vanishing and has actually left a groove in my tire. I don't feel safe riding this tire and have grounded my bike until I can get another tire. The avon venom tire I had before this got close to 10000 miles before a change was required. …”
NHTSA complaint #10419700, filed 2011-08, 19,000 miles1999: “Frame welding broke loose from under the seat that supports the rear fender, causing the fender to collapse into the rear tire, gouging through the tread to the core, consumer feels this is a bad design due to the brackets are welded only on one side and most of the beed was on the frame, very little on the bracket that is supposed to support the rider, fender, and seat.”
NHTSA complaint #558718, filed 2000-01Other Big Dog models
26 complaintsBig Dog Ridgeback
12 complaintsBig Dog Mastiff
6 complaintsBig Dog K-9
5 complaints
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. Methodology