2003 Indian Chief Vintage recalls and problems

The 2003 Indian Chief Vintage has 3 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.

How the 2003 compares

Too few model years with complaints to compare.

3recalls

0complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

—median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Exterior Lighting

Jul 22, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V258000 · 6,173 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles, the bracket used to support the teardrop headlight can crack, causing the bracket to break and the light to slip out of position or fall off.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BRACKET USED TO SUPPORT THE TEARDROP HEADLIGHT CAN CRACK, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO BREAK AND THE LIGHT TO SLIP OUT OF POSITION OR FALL OFF.

Risk: This could cause a loss of visibility to the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will install a new bracket. Owner notification is expected to begin during August 2003. Owners should contact imc at 1-888-899-2997.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Fuel System

May 5, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V173000 · 1,979 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the present of an ignition source can result in a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENT OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Equipment

Apr 3, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V132000 · 70 vehicles

Problem: On certain motorcycles equipped with factory designed front and rear engine guards, the guards do not allow sufficient clearance between the motorcycle and the ground during routine cornering.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY DESIGNED FRONT AND REAR ENGINE GUARDS, THE GUARDS DO NOT ALLOW SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE GROUND DURING ROUTINE CORNERING.

Risk: This condition could cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will remove the current engine guards and give the owners a $250 credit toward the purchase of parts and accessories for their motorcycles. Redesigned engine guards will be provided in approximately 90 days. The removal and replacement of these guards will be performed without charge to the owners. Owner notification began March 28, 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.

Indian motorcycle recall bulletin no. Imcsb-053. Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

2003 vs. other Indian Chief Vintage years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Indian Chief Vintage have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2003 Indian Chief Vintage, the latest from Jul 22, 2003 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Indian Chief Vintage?

Few complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Indian Chief Vintage.