2001 INDIAN CHIEF
2 recalls, 10 complaints - 9 TSBs
03V191000 May 5, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Defect Description
CERTAIN WINDSHIELDS THAT WERE SOLD AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THESE MOTORCYCLES OR SOLD AS ACCESSORIES FOR ALL OTHER CHIEF MODELS MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE BRACKETS. THE BRACKETS THAT ATTACH THE WINDSHIELD TO THE MOTORCYCLE ARE FORMED SUCH THAT THE MOUNTING BOLTS ARE NOT FLUSH WITH THE BRACKET. THIS COULD ... Read more
Consequence
BROKEN MOUNTING BOLTS COULD LEAD TO THE WINDSHIELD COMING LOOSE AND EVEN FALLING OFF THE BIKE, POTENTIALLY STRIKING THE RIDER OR OTHERWISE CAUSING THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKETS AND BOLTS ON THE WINDSHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997... Read more
03V039000 Feb 10, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH COMPUFIRE BRAND SERIES TYPE VOLTAGE REGULATORS, IF DAMAGED, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN BECOME STUCK IN AN OPEN MODE THAT ALLOWS BATTERY VOLTAGE TO FLOW BACK THROUGH THE REGULATOR.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE REGULATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORC... Read more
Complaint Statistics
10 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 25, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BATTERY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jun 25, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Apr 23, 2003
Incident date: Feb 2, 2003
THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD. *NLM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
Jun 24, 2002
Incident date: Jun 6, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE MENTIONED MOTORCYCLE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Nov 8, 2001
Incident date: May 1, 2001
PRIMARY CASE IS BLOWING OUT OIL. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
Nov 8, 2001
Incident date: Jun 1, 2001
REAR BRAKES WORE OUT AT 1800 MILES, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS. *AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT
Nov 8, 2001
Incident date: May 20, 2001
FRONT FORK SEALS WERE LEAKING, REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
SUSPENSION
Aug 14, 2001
Incident date: Jul 10, 2001
AT 75 AND 80 MPH MOTORCYCLE WILL BEGIN TO WOBBLE. HERE WAS NO CONTROL, AND CONSUMER HAD TO SLOW IT DOWN TO STOP SHAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Aug 9, 2001
Incident date: Jul 23, 2001
REAR BRAKES WENT OUT ON MOTORCYCLE. BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WOREN OUT.*AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT
Jul 6, 2001
Incident date: Jun 22, 2001
FORK SEALS WERE LEAKING. SHOCK ABSORBERS FOR FRONT END OF MOTORCYCLE. CONTACT DEALER. *AK
Technical Service Bulletins, 2001 INDIAN CHIEF
9 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | 3 |
| 162000 STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| 022400 SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| 102400 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT | 1 |
| 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| 350000 EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
IND-02-14-2022
Feb 14, 2022
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
IND-02-14-2022
Feb 14, 2022
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
IDH-HOLD
Mar 15, 2021
350000 EQUIPMENT
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
TSB-040903
Jul 22, 2009
022400 SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR THE WEIGHT THE MOTORCYCLE IS CARRYING. TO ADJUST THE SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING, YOU WILL NEED AN APPROPRIATE SPANNER WRENCH. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *
TSB-040902
Jul 22, 2009
102400 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE
TSB-040902
Jul 22, 2009
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE
SB-040901
Jul 1, 2009
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SB-040901
Jul 1, 2009
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
012
Jan 30, 2003
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY
DAMPER KIT FOR REAR FENDER. *TT
NHTSA Safety Investigations, INDIAN CHIEF
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE02037
Opened: Mar 26, 2002 , Closed: May 24, 2002
HANDLEBAR LOOSENING
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING ONE OWNER COMPLAINT REGARDING TWO INSTANCES OF HANDLEBAR LOOSENING ON A 2000 INDIAN CHIEF MODEL MOTORCYCLE.THIS WAS OCCURRING BECAUSE THE HANDLEBAR RISER CLAMP MATERIAL WAS TWW SOFT RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE NECESSARY TO FULLY SECURE THE H... Read more
PE01039
Opened: Nov 21, 2001 , Closed: Apr 30, 2002
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
SIX MANUFACTURER INCIDENTS OF BROKEN REAR SUSPENSION SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING BRACKETS AND FORTY-TWO OF BROKEN SHOCK BOLTS.THE ORIGINAL SWAY-AWAY REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS (IDENTIFIED BY A BLACK HOUSING) ARE NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE SUBJECT BIKES' GVWR.SHOCK BOTTOMING (I.E., COIL BIND) CONSEQUENTLY OCCURS AT ... Read more
INDIAN CHIEF - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the INDIAN CHIEF across all model years (1999, 2022).
30
Total Recalls
99
Total Complaints
2
Investigations
4
Reported Crashes
2
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
INDIAN CHIEF - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.