1999 Indian Chief
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Indian › Chief › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Indian Chief. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1999 Indian Chief. Newest first.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars.
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
9 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering › Steering 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
- Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
Consumer states that there IS a recall for the shock absorber, dealer IS charging for recall. mr
- Suspension › Rear
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
- Suspension › Rear › Shock 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
- Service 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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Exterior lighting › Turn signal · Power train › Clutch assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar · Structure › Body · Suspension
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…
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
- Power train › Manual 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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Exterior lighting · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
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
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
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
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Handlebar loosening
Odi opened this investigation after receiving one owner complaint regarding two instances of handlebar loosening on a 2000 indian chief model motorcycle.this was occurring because the handlebar riser clamp material was tww soft resulting in insufficient clamping force necessary to fully secure the handlebar in certain…
Odi opened this investigation after receiving one owner complaint regarding two instances of handlebar loosening on a 2000 indian chief model motorcycle.this was occurring because the handlebar riser clamp material was tww soft resulting in insufficient clamping force necessary to fully secure the handlebar in certain foreseeable maneuvers.indian IS recalling the subject vehicles to replace the inferior riser clamp with another of more robust material.
- Rear suspension collapse
Six manufacturer incidents of broken rear suspension shock absorber mounting brackets and forty-two of broken shock bolts.the original sway-away rear shock absorbers (identified by a black housing) are not adequate for the subject bikes' gvwr.shock bottoming (i.e., coil bind) consequently occurs at the upper range of…
Six manufacturer incidents of broken rear suspension shock absorber mounting brackets and forty-two of broken shock bolts.the original sway-away rear shock absorbers (identified by a black housing) are not adequate for the subject bikes' gvwr.shock bottoming (i.e., coil bind) consequently occurs at the upper range of the machine's weight carrying capacity and the resulting loads break the shock mounting brackets and/or bolts.indian IS recalling the subject motorcycles to install shock absorbers from progressive suspension.the progressives have a greater load carrying capabilty and may be identified by the gold color.with indian's recall, odi IS closing this pe.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10208642Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
- 10189626EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
- 10030064Indian motorcycle: engine oil level check. No model or model years listed.
- 10030026Indian motorcycle: transmission oil level check. Model and model years not listed.
- 10030025Indian 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.
Every Indian Chief model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.