FaultScore

Indian Chief recalls

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering the Indian Chief. A recall repair is always free, however old the car is.

Check your own car by VIN

Recalls apply to specific build ranges, so a recall listed here may or may not cover your particular vehicle. NHTSA's free VIN lookup is the authority: nhtsa.gov/recalls.

2000 Indian Chief Campaign 03V191000 5 May 2003

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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.

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.

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.

2000 Indian Chief Campaign 03V039000 10 Feb 2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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.

Risk: 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 MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997.

2000 Indian Chief Campaign 02V144000 30 May 2002

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HANDLE BAR RISER TOP CLAMP COULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE BARS.

Risk: LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

2000 Indian Chief Campaign 02V124000 3 May 2002

SUSPENSION:REAR

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MADE BY SWAY-A-WAY, THE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS TO THE SWING ARM COULD BREAK.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 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 AT 1-408-846-7228.

Indian Chief recalls in Canada

Transport Canada runs its own recall programme. Its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones, so a Canadian owner reading a US-only list is reading about a different car than the one on their driveway.

2002 Indian Chief Recall 2003305 27 Nov 2003 19 units in Canada

Suspension

On certain motorcycles, the rear axle is made of a material with a lower than desirable yield strength. Under repeated heavy loads, the rear axle could deform causing excessive wear in the rear wheel bearings potentially leading to overheating and seizing of the bearings, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2002 Indian Chief Recall 2003304 27 Nov 2003 15 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain motorcycles, the rear brake caliper could contact the rotor as a result of a misalignment of the caliper carrier. The rear brake can overheat and fail, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2002 Indian Chief Recall 2003300 27 Nov 2003 48 units in Canada

Fuel System

On certain motorcycles, the gas tank vent tube can become clogged with debris and could cause an interruption of fuel flow to the carburetor and the engine to stop. A clogged vent tube may also cause pressure to build up in the gas tank and push a small amount of gas out of the fuel filler cap seal. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2003 Indian Chief Recall 2003300 27 Nov 2003 48 units in Canada

Fuel System

On certain motorcycles, the gas tank vent tube can become clogged with debris and could cause an interruption of fuel flow to the carburetor and the engine to stop. A clogged vent tube may also cause pressure to build up in the gas tank and push a small amount of gas out of the fuel filler cap seal. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2003 Indian Chief Recall 2003299 27 Nov 2003 68 units in Canada

Other

On certain motorcycles, the windshield bracket mounting bolts are not flush with the brackets which could place excessive stress on the bolts causing them to break. 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. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2000 Indian Chief Recall 2003308 27 Nov 2003 6 units in Canada

Suspension

On certain motorcycles equipped with rear shock absorbers made by Sway-A-Way, the bolts that mount the rear shock absorbers to the swing arm could break. This could result in the collapse of the rear suspension, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2000 Indian Chief Recall 2003307 27 Nov 2003 5 units in Canada

Other

On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars. Loss of control of the motorcycle could occur, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2000 Indian Chief Recall 2003302 27 Nov 2003 68 units in Canada

Electrical

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. This condition can potentially cause the regulator to catch on fire. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

1999 Indian Chief Recall 2003308 27 Nov 2003 6 units in Canada

Suspension

On certain motorcycles equipped with rear shock absorbers made by Sway-A-Way, the bolts that mount the rear shock absorbers to the swing arm could break. This could result in the collapse of the rear suspension, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

1999 Indian Chief Recall 2003307 27 Nov 2003 5 units in Canada

Other

On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars. Loss of control of the motorcycle could occur, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

1999 Indian Chief Recall 2003302 27 Nov 2003 68 units in Canada

Electrical

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. This condition can potentially cause the regulator to catch on fire. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

2001 Indian Chief Recall 2003302 27 Nov 2003 68 units in Canada

Electrical

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. This condition can potentially cause the regulator to catch on fire. Correction: Since Indian Motorcycles is no longer in business, no correction is available.

Source: Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database.