2003 INDIAN CHIEF
2 recalls, 4 complaints - 11 TSBs
03V173000 May 5, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO THE POSITIONING OF THE GAS TANK VENT TUBE, THE VENT TUBE CAN BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS, PARTICULARLY IN WET WEATHER. VENT TUBE CLOGGING CAN CAUSE INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO STOP. A CLOGGED VENT TUBE MAY ALSO CAUSE PRESSURE... Read more
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENT OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT VENT TUBE WITH A LONGER TUBE REPOSITIONED TO PREVENT CLOGGING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 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 I... Read more
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
Complaint Statistics
4 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 16, 2004
Incident date: Sep 19, 2003
IGNITION SWITCH FAILS CAUSING ENGINE TO BACK FIRE AND QUIT. SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH OEM SWITCH 3 TIMES WITH SAME RESULT! FRONT BRAKE LEAVER HAS EXCESSIVE TRAVEL AT TIMES LIMITING BRAKING POTENTIAL ON FRONT TIRE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. REAR DRIVE BELT IS WEARING REAR PULLEY EXCESSIVEL... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Jan 16, 2004
Incident date: Sep 19, 2003
IGNITION SWITCH FAILS CAUSING ENGINE TO BACK FIRE AND QUIT. SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH OEM SWITCH 3 TIMES WITH SAME RESULT! FRONT BRAKE LEAVER HAS EXCESSIVE TRAVEL AT TIMES LIMITING BRAKING POTENTIAL ON FRONT TIRE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. REAR DRIVE BELT IS WEARING REAR PULLEY EXCESSIVEL... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Jan 16, 2004
Incident date: Sep 19, 2003
IGNITION SWITCH FAILS CAUSING ENGINE TO BACK FIRE AND QUIT. SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH OEM SWITCH 3 TIMES WITH SAME RESULT! FRONT BRAKE LEAVER HAS EXCESSIVE TRAVEL AT TIMES LIMITING BRAKING POTENTIAL ON FRONT TIRE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. REAR DRIVE BELT IS WEARING REAR PULLEY EXCESSIVEL... Read more
EQUIPMENT
Aug 7, 2003
Incident date: Jul 31, 2003
ALL 2002 AND 2003 CHIEF MODELS HAVE A KICK STAND THAT DOES NOT HAVE A LOCKING MECHANISM LIKE PRIOR YEAR MODELS. THIS ALLOWS THE KICK STAND TO FOLD UP AT THE SLIGHTEST FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE VEHICLE TO FALL OVER CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ANY PERSON, OR CRUSH AND KILL A CHILD, STA... Read more
Technical Service Bulletins, 2003 INDIAN CHIEF
11 manufacturer communications from 7 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 |
| 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| 100000 POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| 102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| 022400 SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| 102400 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT | 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
051
Jan 29, 2003
102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT
009
Jan 13, 2003
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PUSHROD ADJUSTMENT. *TT
051
Dec 11, 2002
100000 POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *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.