- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2000 Indian Chief Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 2000 Indian Chief with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (11) and the engine & cooling (6). Those complaints describe 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in May 2003 for the windshield. For comparison, the 1999 has 9 and the 2001 has 10.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Chief year, for its age
#129 most complained-about 2000 vehicle
- Complaints
- 40
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2000 Indian Chief problems
Share of all 40 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2000 Indian Chief recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This condition can potentially cause the regulator to catch on fire.
- The fix
- 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 1-888-899-2997.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars.
- The risk
- Loss of control of the motorcycle could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will fit the motorcycles with a new riser top clamp. Owner notification began may 31, 2002. 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 1-408-846-7228.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles equipped with rear shock absorbers made by sway-a-way, the bolts that mount the rear shock absorbers to the swing arm could break.
- The risk
- This could result in the collapse of the rear suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers and replace them if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin during may 2002. 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 at 1-408-846-7228.
What owners say
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40 complaints about the 2000 Indian Chief
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Horn doesnt work,charging system doesnt work,windshield comes lose. *La
The motorcycle has multiple problem s. The windshield is loose /the charger will not charge at all/battery has low cell, and brakes will not hold at all. *Ak
Consumer states that t brakes have extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.*Ak
The consumer received recall notice #03v039000 subject: voltage regulator. The consumer called kerry ford on 4/28/2003 who stated that the parts had to be ordered. The consumer had not received a call from kerry ford on the date when the recalled parts should have been available. *Nlm
When the brakes are applied, the turn signals flash three times. While they are flashing, the turn signals can not be turned on which caused me to be struck in the side while making a left turn. *Jb
The consumer received a recall regarding the voltage regulator. The consumer stated he received poor customer service. *Jb
The engine was replaced last year for a leak, the problem recurred. *Jb
Consumer was unable to get the recall performed regarding the wheel and handle bar.*Jb
Consumer states that while driving at highway speed the headlights suddenly died. Took to dealer and they changed the bulb. Dealer stated there is a shortage in the electrical system. Three weeks later lights shorted out again. Please provide any further information. Mr
The consumer is concern he receive a recall noticed for the handle bar. May 31 2001. The dealership has no parts available. Indian motorcycle 200 east tenth street gilroy ca 95020 #for judy woods 408 846 7228 company 408 846 7228. Mr
Consumer states while driving down the highway vehicle headlights suddenly died. Took to dealer and dealer stated there was a shortage. Mr
Waiting 4 months for dealers of indian to "get parts from indian" - still have not received notice.. Notified indian personel in gilroy, no call back yet. Ts
Consumer received recall 02v124000 for shock absorbers. When he took it in on or about july 2, 2002, was told by mechanic that they did not have the part to repair recall. Then left, and returned again for the second time on or about aug 16, 02, and was also told that they did not have the part to repair the recall. Also, was told by mechanic that he did not know when would be receiving the part. Dealer, indian motor of portland on 13844 s.E mcloughlin blvd. Milwaukee, or 97222 (503) 654 1017.*Ak
Motorcycle rear wheel locked up at 40 mph went into a skid and I was almost hit by the vehicle behind me. Transmission failed. Indian motorcycle replaced trans to correct problem. New trans installed and does not shift properly....Front suspension dives when braking and wobbles left to right at 65-70 mph in gradual turns unstable and I have to slow down to regain control of the motorcycle. This problem has been in for repair 5 times and has not been corrected. Vehicle is unsafe to drive.Kickstand has been replaced...
Read the full complaint
4 times.Kick stand and floorboards are mounted too low on this motorcycle kickstand hits pavement on shallow left turns causing the bike to jump upright and control of the turn is lost. Floorboard is too low on right side of bike causing the same problem as described for kickstand in right turns.I would like these control and transmission designs investigated the geometry of this bike is wrong and indian authorized dealers have not been able to correct these problems.
Motorcycle rear wheel locked up at 40 mph went into a skid almost hit by vehicle behind me transmission replaced to correct problem. New trans installed and does not shift properly indian motorcycle company replaced trans under warranty with a different type of transmission -------- front suspension dives when braking has been repaired 5 times.Still has this problem even worse is that the front end wobbles left to right at 65-70mph in gradual turns unstable have to slow down to regain control of motorcycle. *Ak
Parts are not available for recall 02v144000 repairs to be done. Please provide any further information.*Ak
The motorcycle "wobbles" so bad it goes out of control.*Ak
At highway speeds motorcycle would stall out and die. Dealer has inspected motorcycle. *Ak the rear cylinder was defective and caused the engine misfired and stall out several times and the engine was rebuilt. The dealer replaced the ignition module as a possible cause. *Yh
Consumer first contacted dealer in may of 2002, concerning recall o2v124000. Manufacturer has not sent parts to dealer. Consumer has called indian co. Numerous times, will not return his calls. *Ak
Parts to recall 01v144000 is available , but manufacturer has not sent them to the dealership yet.*Ak
Back fender has cracked and consumer can hear a rattling noise while riding. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*Ak
Indian is aware of these problems but fails to react to them. No safety defect listed. *Ak
This motorcyce is advertised to have a seat height of 24.5" It has adjustable shock absorbers and the ride height can be varied a few inches higher. The problem is that when you are riding the bike and turn right the lean of the motorcycle will cause the operators right hand side floorboard rear support braket to scrape the ground. This is the location of the foot pedal control for the rear brake. I have had several close calls where the braket would catch on an rregularity in the pavement causing the bike to...
Read the full complaint
jump and almost throwing me off. I complained about it at the first and second service of the bike and the dealer simply set the ride height to a higher position, the bracket still. I have heard that one rider was thrown from his motorcycle at 65 mph because of this and he won a lawsuit against the manufacturer. The 1999 model had 1100 produced and the first half of the 2000 model year about 1250 have the same defect. The engineering for the floorboard bracket is a bad design. The manufacturer has produced three floorboard relocation kits to correct the problem and my dealer has indicated it will cost me over $500 in parts to correct. I feel that I should not have to pay to have themanufacturer correct something that they engineered improperly. These were $25,000 motorcycles and the advertising claims the best engineering. They have already designed kits to fix the problem which proves they are aware that it is a safety defect that needs correction. Please stop the rip-off and keep us on two wheels safe also. P.S. This site needs to be upgraded to serve motorcyclist better, it appears that you have forgotten how many people utilize two wheel transportation in the questionaire. I would also like to file a major problem with thse stinking miminvans with the taillights mounted up high. I can only imagine how many deaths they have caused, it is a simple optical illusion when dirivng at night they look further away because the lights are too high.
Motorcycle seems unstable accelerating to change lanes and in sweeping turns at higher speeds. *Ak
Front end wobbles to the point of loss of control. Fast speed, or curves make it worse.*Ak
Indian Chief: every year compared
All Chief yearsQuestions about the 2000 Indian Chief
Does the 2000 Indian Chief have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2000 Indian Chief: windshield (May 2003); alternator / generator / regulator (February 2003); steering wheel / handle bar (May 2002); rear (May 2002). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Indian Chief?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (11), engine & cooling (6), steering (5).
How many complaints has the 2000 Indian Chief had?
40 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 14, 2000 and the latest on October 11, 2003. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 4 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2000 Indian Chief a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 5 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Indian Chief year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Indian Chief years have the most complaints?
2000 (40), 2001 (10), 1999 (9). See every Indian Chief year compared.
What should I do if my 2000 Indian Chief has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data