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U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Indian CHIEF: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

2 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

2,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior150.0%

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.

Electrical System
1
Equipment
1
Power Train
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System1
Equipment1
Power Train1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder1

Electrical System: 1; Equipment: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

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). 1 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.

2003
1
2004
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20031
20041

2003: 1; 2004: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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 10031014 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031014 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10054260 · 2004-01-16 (January 16, 2004)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054260 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

03V173000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported: 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)

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 OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER CAP SEAL.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V191000 · Visibility:Windshield

Reported: 2003-05-05 (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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗