2009 Indian CHIEF STANDARD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
8,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 1 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 1; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
2011: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10432800 · 2011-10-25 (October 25, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 INDIAN CHIEF STANDARD MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 11V343000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) AND 11V344000 (STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND) HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE DEALER WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH HAVING THE NECESSARY PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE SHIPPED TO THE FACILITY. AFTER THREE MONTHS, THE PARTS WERE SHIPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10432800 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V343000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 2011-06-27 (June 27, 2011)
POLARIS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 INDIAN MOTORCYCLES FOR THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) WHICH CAN CAUSE THE HEADLIGHT TO TURN OFF IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS SLOWLY MOVED FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER (HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM OR LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM), BOTH BEAMS MAY BE ON MOMENTARILY AND THE BCM INTERPRETS THIS AS AN OVERLOAD CONDITION.
Consequence: THE BCM TURNS OFF THE HEADLIGHT UNTIL THE NEXT TIME THAT THE KEY IS TURNED ON. THE UNEXPECTED LOSS OF HEADLIGHT FUNCTION COULD IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BCM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLARIS AT 1-651-408-7579.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V344000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand
Reported: 2011-06-27 (June 27, 2011)
POLARIS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 INDIAN MOTORCYCLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 123, "MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THE SIDE STAND MAY NOT FOLD REARWARD AND UPWARD IF IT CONTACTS THE GROUND WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS MOVING FORWARD.
Consequence: IF THE STAND DOES NOT FOLD REARWARD AND UPWARD WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE MOVES FORWARD, THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE STAND FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INDIAN AT 651-408-7579.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V391000 · Wheels:Rim
Reported: 2013-08-30 (August 30, 2013)
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2009 Deluxe and Standard, 2009-2011 Roadmaster, 2009-2013 Vintage, 2010 Bomber, 2010-2013 Classic and Dark Horse, 2011 Blackhawk Dark and Blackhawk motorcycles. The rear rim may crack and cause a loss of air pressure.
Consequence: The cracked rim can lead to a flat rear tire, which could cause the rider to lose control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear rim, free of charge. Indian mailed an interim letter to owners in September 2013. Parts are now available. A second notice was sent to owners during April 2014. Owners may contact Indian at 1-888-704-5290.
NHTSA campaign record ↗