Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2003 Indian Chief peaked in 2003, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2003 Indian Chief
Motorcycle, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Aug 7, 2003 to Jan 16, 2004.
Recall campaigns covering this model year25,604 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Close to the median 2003 motorcycle
Severity index0.02003 motorcycles average 7.3
First 24 months2Complaints in its first two years
Components
50% of complaints about the 2003 Indian Chief name electrical system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
2 recall campaigns cover the 2003 Indian Chief
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03V-191 | May 5, 2003 | Certain windshields that were sold as standard equipment on these motorcycles or sold as accessories for all other chief models may have defective… | Visibility and wipers | 3,625 | Part replacement |
| 03V-173 | May 5, 2003 | 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 | Fuel system | 1,979 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2003 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.
2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jan 16, 2004Failure Sep 19, 20032,500 milesFranklin, WIElectrical system, Power train, Service brakes, Master cylinder
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 EXCESSIVELY INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR BELT FAILURE. *CB
NHTSA complaint 10054260 - Filed Aug 7, 2003Failure Jul 31, 2003South Boston, MAEquipment
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, STANDING NEXT TO THE 600+ LBS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint 10031014
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
8 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 - 009 Jan 13, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
PUSHROD ADJUSTMENT. *TT - 051 Jan 29, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT - 051 Dec 11, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.