IllustrationBACK FENDER HAS CRACKED AND CONSUMER CAN HEAR A RATTLING NOISE WHILE RIDING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
2000 Indian Chief
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Chief years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 40 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
40 reportsINDIAN IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT FAILS TO REACT TO THEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
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 GR…
Read full complaint
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.
MOTORCYCLE SEEMS UNSTABLE ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANES AND IN SWEEPING TURNS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *AK
FRONT END WOBBLES TO THE POINT OF LOSS OF CONTROL. FAST SPEED, OR CURVES MAKE IT WORSE.*AK
DOT LABLE INSIDE BOTH RIMS ARE CAUSING INNER TUBE FAILURE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS UP TO 65MPH MOTORCYCLE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE DRIVER IS NOT AWARE THAT MOTORCYCLE HAS CUT OFF, I FEELS LIKE JUST SLAMMED ON BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THE SWING ARM SHOCK MOUNT BROKE AT 65MPH AND I NEARLY WENT DOWN.*AK
DEALER IS RELUCTANT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE ONLY FIX TRIED WAS SILICONE ROUND THE THE CHROME FACIA. UNABLE TO USE VEHICLE AT NIGHT AS HEADLIGHT MAY GO OUT WITHIN A 100 MILES OF BEING REPLACED.*AK
BRAKE LINE WAS ROUTED UNDER FRAME , BRAKE STUCK . WHEN PUTTING BRAKES ON IT WILL STAY ON. ALSO, FRONT PAD SEPARATED WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT BRAKES ON. DEALERSHIP WAS OUT OF BUSINESS. *AK
Official recalls
403V191000 · Visibility:windshield
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 & remedy
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.
03V039000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Feb 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 & remedy
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.
02V144000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
May 30, 2002
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HANDLE BAR RISER TOP CLAMP COULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE BARS.
Consequence & remedy
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.
02V124000 · Suspension:rear
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE02037 · Handlebar Loosening
Opened Mar 26, 2002 · Closed May 24, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
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.
PE01039 · Rear Suspension Collapse
Opened Nov 21, 2001 · Closed Apr 30, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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.