2003 Indian Chief Vintage

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 3 times.

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights03V258000
Filed Jul 22, 20036,173 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BRACKET USED TO SUPPORT THE TEARDROP HEADLIGHT CAN CRACK, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO BREAK AND THE LIGHT TO SLIP OUT OF POSITION OR FALL OFF.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT IMC AT 1-888-899-2997.

Fuel System, Gasoline03V173000
Filed May 5, 20031,979 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. 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. VENT TUBE CLOGGING CAN CAUSE INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE 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.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENT OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT VENT TUBE WITH A LONGER TUBE REPOSITIONED TO PREVENT CLOGGING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 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.

Equipment03V132000
Filed Apr 3, 200370 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY DESIGNED FRONT AND REAR ENGINE GUARDS, THE GUARDS DO NOT ALLOW SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE GROUND DURING ROUTINE CORNERING.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CURRENT ENGINE GUARDS AND GIVE THE OWNERS A $250 CREDIT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THEIR MOTORCYCLES. REDESIGNED ENGINE GUARDS WILL BE PROVIDED IN APPROXIMATELY 90 DAYS. THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THESE GUARDS WILL BE PERFORMED WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 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.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20200100Routine
20190100Routine
20181300Routine
20171200Routine
20161200Routine
20154200Routine
20146000Routine
20090300Routine
2003 — this page0300Routine
20020100Routine

Compare every Chief Vintage year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 22, 2003. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.