RecallRepo

2001 Indian Chief Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 Indian Chief has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 11,572 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 03V191000 2003-05-05 3,625 affected
Defect

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…

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 03V039000 2003-02-10 7,947 affected
Defect

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

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…

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
1
SUSPENSION
1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
1
Total complaints10

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The dealer refused to honor the recall for the windshield. *nlm”

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · reported 2003-02-02

“No summary listed for above mentioned motorcycle. *ak”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM · reported 2002-06-06

“Rear brakes went out on motorcycle. Brake pads were completely woren out.*ak”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS · reported 2001-07-23

“At 75 and 80 mph motorcycle will begin to wobble. Here was no control, and consumer had to slow it down to stop shaking. Please provide any further information.*ak”

SUSPENSION · reported 2001-07-10

“Fork seals were leaking. Shock absorbers for front end of motorcycle. Contact dealer. *ak”

SUSPENSION:FRONT · reported 2001-06-22

“Rear brakes wore out at 1800 miles, dealer replaced rotors. *ak”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC · reported 2001-06-01

“Front fork seals were leaking, repaired under warranty.*ak”

SUSPENSION:FRONT · reported 2001-05-20

“Primary case is blowing out oil. Dealer cannot remedy. *ak”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 2001-05-01

Defect investigations

Investigation PE01039 Opened 2001-11-21 · closed 2002-04-30

REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE

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…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Indian Chief as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.