2000 Indian Chief
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Indian › Chief › 2000
These records cover every 2000 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 2000 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
40 complaints3 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Horn · Visibility › Windshield
Horn doesnt work,charging system doesnt work,windshield comes lose. *la
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Service brakes, hydraulic · Visibility › Windshield
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Consumer states that t brakes have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.*ak
- Electrical system
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
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal
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
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The consumer received a recall regarding the voltage regulator. The consumer stated he received poor customer service. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The engine was replaced last year for a leak, the problem recurred. *Jb
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Consumer was unable to get the recall performed regarding the wheel and handle bar.*jb
- Exterior lighting
Consumer states that while driving at highway speed the headlights suddenly died. took to dealer and they changed the bulb. dealer stated there IS a shortage in the electrical system. three weeks later lights shorted out again. please provide any further information. mr
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
The consumer IS concern he receive a recall noticed for the handle bar. may 31 2001. the dealership has no parts available. indian motorcycle 200 east tenth street gilroy ca 95020 #for judy woods 408 846 7228 company 408 846 7228. mr
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Concealment devices
Consumer states while driving down the highway vehicle headlights suddenly died. took to dealer and dealer stated there was a shortage. mr
- Unknown or other
Waiting 4 months for dealers of indian to "get parts from indian" - still have not received notice.. Notified indian personel in gilroy, no call back yet. ts
- Suspension › Front › Shock absorber
Consumer received recall 02v124000 for shock absorbers. when he took it in on or about july 2, 2002, was told by mechanic that they did not have the part to repair recall. then left, and returned again for the second time on or about aug 16, 02, and was also told that they did not have the part…
Consumer received recall 02v124000 for shock absorbers. when he took it in on or about july 2, 2002, was told by mechanic that they did not have the part to repair recall. then left, and returned again for the second time on or about aug 16, 02, and was also told that they did not have the part to repair the recall. Also, was told by mechanic that he did not know when would be receiving the part. Dealer, indian motor of portland on 13844 S.E mcloughlin blvd. Milwaukee, or 97222 (503) 654 1017.*ak
- Power train › Manual transmission · Suspension › Rear
Motorcycle rear wheel locked up at 40 mph went into a skid and I was almost hit by the vehicle behind me. Transmission failed. Indian motorcycle replaced trans to correct problem. New trans installed and does not shift properly....front suspension dives when braking and wobbles left to right at…
Motorcycle rear wheel locked up at 40 mph went into a skid and I was almost hit by the vehicle behind me. Transmission failed. Indian motorcycle replaced trans to correct problem. New trans installed and does not shift properly....front suspension dives when braking and wobbles left to right at 65-70 mph in gradual turns unstable and I have to slow down to regain control of the motorcycle. This problem has been in for repair 5 times and has not been corrected. Vehicle IS unsafe to drive.kickstand has been replaced 4 times.kick stand and floorboards are mounted too low on this motorcycle kickstand hits pavement on shallow left turns causing the bike to jump upright and control of the turn IS lost. Floorboard IS too low on right side of bike causing the same problem as described for kickstand in right turns.i would like these control and transmission designs investigated the geometry of this bike IS wrong and indian authorized dealers have not been able to correct these problems.
- Power train › Manual transmission · Suspension
Motorcycle rear wheel locked up at 40 mph went into a skid almost hit by vehicle behind me transmission replaced to correct problem. New trans installed and does not shift properly indian motorcycle company replaced trans under warranty with a different type of transmission -------- front…
Motorcycle rear wheel locked up at 40 mph went into a skid almost hit by vehicle behind me transmission replaced to correct problem. New trans installed and does not shift properly indian motorcycle company replaced trans under warranty with a different type of transmission -------- front suspension dives when braking has been repaired 5 times.still has this problem even worse IS that the front end wobbles left to right at 65-70mph in gradual turns unstable have to slow down to regain control of motorcycle. *Ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Parts are not available for recall 02v144000 repairs to be done. please provide any further information.*ak
- Suspension
The motorcycle "wobbles" so bad it goes out of control.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
- Suspension › Rear
Consumer first contacted dealer in may of 2002, concerning recall o2v124000. Manufacturer has not sent parts to dealer. Consumer has called indian co. Numerous times, will not return his calls. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Parts to recall 01v144000 IS available , but manufacturer has not sent them to the dealership yet.*ak
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
Back fender has cracked and consumer can hear a rattling noise while riding. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak
- Suspension
Indian IS aware of these problems but fails to react to them. No safety defect listed. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Unknown or other
This motorcyce IS advertised to have a seat height of 24.5" it has adjustable shock absorbers and the ride height can be varied a few inches higher. the problem IS that when you are riding the bike and turn right the lean of the motorcycle will cause the operators right hand side floorboard rear…
This motorcyce IS advertised to have a seat height of 24.5" it has adjustable shock absorbers and the ride height can be varied a few inches higher. the problem IS that when you are riding the bike and turn right the lean of the motorcycle will cause the operators right hand side floorboard rear support braket to scrape the ground. this IS the location of the foot pedal control for the rear brake. I have had several close calls where the braket would catch on an rregularity in the pavement causing the bike to jump and almost throwing me off. I complained about it at the first and second service of the bike and the dealer simply set the ride height to a higher position, the bracket still. I have heard that one rider was thrown from his motorcycle at 65 mph because of this and he won a lawsuit against the manufacturer. the 1999 model had 1100 produced and the first half of the 2000 model year about 1250 have the same defect. the engineering for the floorboard bracket IS a bad design. the manufacturer has produced three floorboard relocation kits to correct the problem and my dealer has indicated it will cost me over $500 in parts to correct. I feel that I should not have to pay to have themanufacturer correct something that they engineered improperly. these were $25,000 motorcycles and the advertising claims the best engineering. they have already designed kits to fix the problem which proves they are aware that it IS a safety defect that needs correction. Please stop the rip-off and keep us on two wheels safe also. p.s. This site needs to be upgraded to serve motorcyclist better, it appears that you have forgotten how many people utilize two wheel transportation in the questionaire. I would also like to file a major problem with thse stinking miminvans with the taillights mounted up high. I can only imagine how many deaths they have caused, it IS a simple optical illusion when dirivng at night they look further away because the lights are too high.
- Vehicle speed control
Motorcycle seems unstable accelerating to change lanes and in sweeping turns at higher speeds. *Ak
- Suspension › Front
Front end wobbles to the point of loss of control. fast speed, or curves make it worse.*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.
- 10001068Damper kit for rear fender.
Every Indian Chief model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.