Menu

Indian ChiefYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 70 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls on record for the Indian Chief.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints70Top: SuspensionSafety recalls141999–2022 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Indian Chief years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Chief median. Tap a year for its full report.

'99'00'01'02'03'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2022Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls2019Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2018Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2017Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls2016Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2015Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall2014Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls2013Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2012Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2003Not rated–/1002 complaints · 2 recalls2002Not rated–/1004 complaints · 4 recalls2001Not rated–/10010 complaints · 2 recalls2000Not rated–/10040 complaints · 4 recalls1999Not rated–/1009 complaints · 4 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Indian Chief problems

All model years combined: 70 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension192
Engine and engine cooling121
Service brakes, hydraulic110
Electrical system110
Steering81
Exterior lighting71
Structure61
Power train60
Visibility30
6 other systems80
14 recalls

Indian Chief recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

73%Motorcycle: kickstand/center stand22V-957 · 2022 · Dec 29, 2022 · 4,653 vehicles66%Delivery: fuel pump22V-837 · 2022 · Nov 11, 2022 · 7,812 vehicles38%Exterior lighting: headlights22V-635 · 2014 · Aug 19, 2022 · 28,689 vehicles64%Electrical system19V-776 · 2014–2019 · Oct 29, 2019 · 52,745 vehicles97%Electrical system18V-228 · 2018 · Apr 10, 2018 · 3,341 vehicles77%Exterior lighting: headlights17V-682 · 2017–2018 · Oct 27, 2017 · 2,096 vehicles38%Wheels: rim13V-391 · 2012–2013 · Aug 30, 2013 · 861 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline03V-173 · 2002–2003 · May 5, 2003 · 1,979 vehicles–Visibility: windshield03V-191 · 1999–2003 · May 5, 2003 · 3,625 vehicles–Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator03V-039 · 1999–2001 · Feb 10, 2003 · 7,947 vehicles–Disc: caliper02V-246 · 2002 · Sep 13, 2002 · 948 vehicles–Suspension: rear02V-180 · 2002 · Jul 8, 2002 · 590 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 14 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

2 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Chief

  1. HANDLEBAR LOOSENINGPE02037 · 1999–2000 · closed May 24, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-144
  2. REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSEPE01039 · 1999–2002 · closed Apr 30, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-124