RoadVitals

2001 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.
10
Latest Jun 25, 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.
2
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.
1
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Indian Chief, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names 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

  • Suspension330.0%
  • Brakes220.0%
  • Engine220.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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

Safety investigations

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

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 10
Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10024953
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2003

CONSUMER NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BATTERY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10024952
Visibility
Filed Apr 23, 2003

THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017452
Incident
Feb 2, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Jun 19, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE MENTIONED MOTORCYCLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
763225
Incident
Jun 6, 2002
Suspension
Filed Nov 8, 2001

FRONT FORK SEALS WERE LEAKING, REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ID
898945
Incident
May 20, 2001
Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2001

REAR BRAKES WORE OUT AT 1800 MILES, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ID
898944
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2001

PRIMARY CASE IS BLOWING OUT OIL. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY. *AK

NHTSA ID
898942
Incident
May 1, 2001
Suspension
Filed Aug 14, 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

NHTSA ID
894297
Incident
Jul 10, 2001

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—
2001Viewing102141.7
2000404256.4
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.