Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2000 Indian CHIEF: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

40 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

4,750 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 40 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior820.0%
Transmission and shifting25.0%
Electrical and battery issues25.0%
Engine operation12.5%
Steering behavior12.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
Suspension
4
Suspension:Rear
4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3
Electrical System
2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline4
Suspension4
Suspension:Rear4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Electrical System2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine2

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Suspension: 4; Suspension:Rear: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000
4
2001
13
2002
15
2003
8
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20004
200113
200215
20038

2000: 4; 2001: 13; 2002: 15; 2003: 8

Pattern summary

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10009469 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009469 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10014791 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014791 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10014973 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014973 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10016418 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016418 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020475 · 2003-05-23 (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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020475 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10031487 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031487 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10040434 · 2003-09-23 (September 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

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040434 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10041630 · 2003-10-11 (October 11, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041630 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

02V124000 · Suspension:Rear

Reported: 2002-05-03 (May 3, 2002)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
02V144000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Reported: 2002-05-30 (May 30, 2002)

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

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V039000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Reported: 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V191000 · Visibility:Windshield

Reported: 2003-05-05 (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 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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

40 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

5.0%Usable mileage2 / 40 records
67.5%Valid incident date27 / 40 records
100.0%Valid filing date40 / 40 records
67.5%Ordered incident and filing dates27 / 40 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component201220132014201520162017201820192022
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 11441637

-Consistent problems with display -Headlight continually on and not adjustable -Computer module burns out very easily and lights/horn directly into the unit which makes it go out so easily

Look up ODI 11441637 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11311178 · 12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 INDIAN CHIEF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STARTED AND WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, THE MOTORCYCLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND STRUCK A SIDE OF THE HOUSE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AMERICAN BIKER LOCATED AT 679 TREELAND DR, LADSON, SC 29456, HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V776000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAI…

Look up ODI 11311178 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11499309

At 70mph on I-95 in the outside lane between Rt 50 and Rt 46 in Titusville FL, the vehicle tipover sensor triggered causing the motorcycle to engine to shut down. The roads were clear and dry, it was night time with no streetlights. The motorcycle immediately began to slow down, causing cars to veer around us as we coasted off the road and onto the shoulder. We were able to clear the alert and get the motorcycle to our FL residence (We winter in FL, reside in MA). On the way home, it triggered two more times, but we were on surface roads with l…

Look up ODI 11499309 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension:Rear
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Manual Transmission
0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range6,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10041630 · 6,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10041630 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2019: 0 complaints · 2022: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2019000
2022111
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2019000
2022200

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentSteering: Steering Wheel/Handle BarEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineSuspensionSuspension:RearService Brakes, HydraulicElectrical SystemElectrical System:Alternator/Generator/RegulatorEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar—0000000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0—0
1
ODI 893871

WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH REAR SUSPENSION STEEL PLATE BROKE AND SNAPPED IN HALF, WHICH DAMAGED TIRE. ALSO, FENDER GOT SO HOT THAT THE HEAT DAMAGED MOTORCYCLE SEAT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. CONSUMER STATES MOTOR BLEW BOTH HEAD GASKETS AND BURNT BOTH JUGS, CONSUMER CHECKED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE. *SLC

Look up ODI 893871 at NHTSA ↗

0000
Suspension00—00000
Suspension:Rear0
1
ODI 893871

WHEN DRIVING 60 MPH REAR SUSPENSION STEEL PLATE BROKE AND SNAPPED IN HALF, WHICH DAMAGED TIRE. ALSO, FENDER GOT SO HOT THAT THE HEAT DAMAGED MOTORCYCLE SEAT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. CONSUMER STATES MOTOR BLEW BOTH HEAD GASKETS AND BURNT BOTH JUGS, CONSUMER CHECKED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE. *SLC

Look up ODI 893871 at NHTSA ↗

0—0000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic0000—0
1
ODI 10040434

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

Look up ODI 10040434 at NHTSA ↗

0
Electrical System00000—00
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator0000
1
ODI 10040434

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

Look up ODI 10040434 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 8013596

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MOTORCYCLE WOULD STALL OUT AND DIE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED MOTORCYCLE. *AK THE REAR CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE MISFIRED AND STALL OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE. *YH

Look up ODI 8013596 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b