AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Model year

1999 Indian Chief

Motorcycle, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Dec 22, 2000 to Oct 17, 2002.

Recalls (4)Complaints (9)Investigations (2)Bulletins (5)
Recall campaigns covering this model year421k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints94.5 times the median 1999 motorcycle
Severity index11.11999 motorcycles average 9.2
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 1999 Indian Chief peaked in 2001, with 6 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

02462000620032006200920122015201820212026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

56% of complaints about the 1999 Indian Chief name suspension

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Suspension
5
Brakes
3
Steering
3
Engine and cooling
2
Lighting
2
Powertrain
2
Electrical system
1
Structure
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

4 recall campaigns cover the 1999 Indian Chief

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 1999 Indian Chief
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
03V-191May 5, 2003Certain windshields that were sold as standard equipment on these motorcycles or sold as accessories for all other chief models may have defective…Visibility and wipers3,625Part replacement
03V-039Feb 10, 2003On certain motorcycles equipped with compufire brand series type voltage regulators, if damaged, the voltage regulator can become stuck in an open…Electrical system7,947Part replacement
02V-144May 30, 2002On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle barsSteering4,765Not stated
02V-124May 3, 2002On 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…Suspension4,590Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Look up a VIN at NHTSA
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 1999 Indian Chief

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

9 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Oct 17, 2002Failure May 1, 2002Raleigh, NCSteering wheel/handle bar

    CONSUMER STATES HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE 2 RECALLS ON BIKE REPAIRED SINCE 05/02. RECALL IDS: 02V144000 AND 02V124000. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS REPEATEDLY ADVISED WAITING ON PARTS. CONSUMER FINALLY SPOKE WITH OWNER WHO BLAMED DELAY ON CERTAIN EMPLOYEES NO LONGER WORKING FOR DEALERSHIP. OWNER ADVISED WOULD ORDER PARTS AND CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING NOW FOR 3.5 WEEKS. TS

    NHTSA complaint 8021048
  2. Filed Oct 16, 2002Failure May 8, 2002Raligh, NCShock absorber

    CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SHOCK ABSORBER, DEALER IS CHARGING FOR RECALL. MR

    NHTSA complaint 8020965
  3. Filed Aug 6, 2001Depew, NYRear

    SHOCKS TEAR OUT OF FRAME WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP, REAR SWING ARM PIVOT SHAFT WANTS TO PULL IT FURTHER THAN THE SHOCK WILL ALLOW IT. *AK *SLC

    NHTSA complaint 893454
  4. Filed Jun 12, 2001Failure Jun 15, 2000Waterford, MIShock absorber

    REAR SHOCK BOLTS ARE SHEARING OFF THE TOP. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPLACED SHOCKS ON EIGHT OCCASIONS. PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 890230
  5. Filed Jun 12, 2001Failure Mar 6, 2001East Pointe, MIService brakes, Hydraulic, Suspension

    MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCING SEVERE SHAKING IN FRONT WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH OR MORE, AND REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACE ON TWO OCCASIONS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK THE FRONT MASTERCYLINDER FAILED. REAR PADS NEEDED REPLACING. REPLACE HEAD LIGHT BULB. *YH

    NHTSA complaint 890212
  6. Filed Jun 12, 2001Failure Mar 6, 2001East Pointe, MISwitch, Gasoline, Turn signal, Clutch assembly

    AT 4,000 MILES FRONT BRAKES WOULD FADE INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK PROBLEMS WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FLASH, FRONT BRAKES HAVE LOCKED UP THE FRONT WHEEL ON TWO OCCASIONS, REAR BRAKES HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY THREE OCCASIONS, FRONT ROTOR WARPED, REAR MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, FRONT MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED. TAPPING NOISE IN ENGINE, DRIVE BELT NOISY, OIL LEAK, ENGINE BACKFIRES. REAR TURN SIGNAL LENS COLLECTS MOISTURE. HANDLE BAR MASTER BAD. BLOWN CLUTCH DUE TO ASSEMBLED WRONG IN FACTORY. FUEL TANKS REPLACED DUE TO CRACKS AROUND MOUNTING BRACKETS CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK ON THE HOT ENGINE. SHOCKS SQUEAK. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. *SLC

    NHTSA complaint 890209
  7. Filed Jun 1, 2001Failure May 11, 2001Jacksonville, FLManual transmission

    5 SPEED TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FLUID. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER . *AK

    NHTSA complaint 889555
  8. Filed Jun 1, 2001Failure Sep 28, 2000Jacksonville, FLGasoline, Engine, Exterior lighting, Service brakes

    OIL LEAKAGES; VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON SEVEN OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER HAD FRONT AND REAR BRAKES SERVICE, FRONT MASTER CYLINDER REBUILT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, FRONT ROCKER COVER LEKING, HEAD LIGHTS AND DRIVING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED, OIL LEAKING AT PUSH RODS.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 889553
  9. Filed Dec 22, 2000Failure Dec 21, 2000Tucson, AZSteering wheel/handle barCrash

    HANDLE BARS WILL PIVOT UP OR DOWN WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING USED. ALL HAND CONTROLS ARE OUT OF REACH OF THE RIDER, AND THE RIDER CAN NOT STEER THE MOTORCYCLE. IF THEY SLIP DOWNWARD, AS WAS MY CASE, THE RIDERS LEGS CAN BE PINNED BY EITHER THIER OWN ARMS OR THE HANDLE BARS. THIS IS A DEFECT KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALSHIP I BOUGHT THE BIKE FROM. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 738157
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

2 NHTSA investigations on file

  • PE02037 Preliminary evaluation, Structure
    HANDLEBAR LOOSENING
    Opened Mar 26, 2002, closed May 24, 2002 · led to a recall
  • PE01039 Preliminary evaluation, Suspension
    REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
    Opened Nov 21, 2001, closed Apr 30, 2002 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
All investigations
Service bulletins

5 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • IND-02-14-2022 Feb 14, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
  • SB-040901 Jul 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
  • TSB-040902 Jul 22, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE
  • TSB-040903 Jul 22, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.
About service bulletins