RoadVitals

2000 Indian Chief

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
40
Latest Oct 11, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 5, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 40 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Indian Chief, most frequently naming the suspension, engine and steering categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension1123.4%
  • Engine612.8%
  • Steering510.6%
  • Exterior lighting510.6%
  • Body & structure48.5%
  • Brakes48.5%
  • Electrical48.5%
  • Other / unspecified24.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
03V191000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

May 5, 2003
3,625 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 PLACE EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE BOLTS CAUSING THEM TO BREAK.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANYManufacturer number IMCSB-056View on NHTSA.gov
03V039000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Feb 10, 2003
7,947 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE REGULATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE.
The 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 MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANYManufacturer number IMCSB-045View on NHTSA.gov
02V144000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

May 30, 2002
4,765 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HANDLE BAR RISER TOP CLAMP COULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE BARS.
The risk: LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT THE MOTORCYCLES WITH A NEW RISER TOP CLAMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 31, 2002. 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 1-408-846-7228.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANYManufacturer number IMCSB-040View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE02037ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HANDLEBAR LOOSENING

Opened Mar 26, 2002
Closed May 24, 2002

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 HANDLEBAR IN CERTAIN FORESEEABLE MANEUVERS.INDIAN IS RECALLING THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE INFERIOR RISER CLAMP WITH ANOTHER OF MORE ROBUST MATERIAL.

STRUCTURELed to recall 02V144000
PE01039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE

Opened Nov 21, 2001
Closed Apr 30, 2002

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 THE UPPER RANGE OF THE MACHINE'S WEIGHT CARRYING CAPACITY AND THE RESULTING LOADS BREAK THE SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKETS AND/OR BOLTS.INDIAN IS RECALLING THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES TO INSTALL SHOCK ABSORBERS FROM PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION.THE PROGRESSIVES HAVE A GREATER LOAD CARRYING CAPABILTY AND MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE GOLD COLOR.WITH INDIAN'S RECALL, ODI IS CLOSING THIS PE.

SUSPENSIONLed to recall 02V124000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 40
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 11, 2003

HORN DOESNT WORK,CHARGING SYSTEM DOESNT WORK,WINDSHIELD COMES LOSE. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041630
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
Mileage
6,000 mi
BrakesElectricalVisibility
Filed Sep 23, 2003

THE MOTORCYCLE HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEM S. THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE /THE CHARGER WILL NOT CHARGE AT ALL/BATTERY HAS LOW CELL, AND BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD AT ALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10040434
Incident
Sep 23, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jul 30, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT T BRAKES HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10031487
Incident
Jun 14, 2003
Electrical
Filed May 23, 2003

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #03V039000 SUBJECT: VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THE CONSUMER CALLED KERRY FORD ON 4/28/2003 WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A CALL FROM KERRY FORD ON THE DATE WHEN THE RECALLED PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10020475
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 23, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE TURN SIGNALS FLASH THREE TIMES. WHILE THEY ARE FLASHING, THE TURN SIGNALS CAN NOT BE TURNED ON WHICH CAUSED ME TO BE STRUCK IN THE SIDE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016418
Incident
Sep 9, 2000
Mileage
3,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 2003

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10014973
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2003

THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR FOR A LEAK, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10014791
Incident
Mar 31, 2003
Steering
Filed Feb 26, 2003

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL PERFORMED REGARDING THE WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR.*JB

NHTSA ID
10009469
Incident
Sep 15, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

IND-02-14-2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; 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

EQUIPMENT

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.

TSB-040903

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. *PE

TSB-040902

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE

SB-040901

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

012

STRUCTURE:BODY

DAMPER KIT FOR REAR FENDER. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Indian Chief by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024000—
2023000—
2022220—
2021000—
2020000—
2019010—
2018030—
2017220—
2016010—
2015110—
2014020—
2013010—
2012010—
2003220—
2002441—
2001102141.7
2000Viewing404256.4
1999942—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.