2003 Indian Chief
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Indian › Chief › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Indian Chief. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2003 Indian Chief. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Owner complaints
2 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Power train · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › 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
- Equipment
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.
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.
- 10001069Pushrod adjustment.
- 10001067Transmission pulley, drive belt, and rear drive pulley replacement.
- 10000844Transmission pulley, drive belt, and rear drive pulley replacement.
Every Indian Chief model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.