- 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
2003 Indian Chief Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2003 Indian Chief with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (1) and the electrical system (1). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 2003 for the windshield. For comparison, the 2002 has 4.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Chief year, for its age
#342 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Indian Chief problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Indian Chief recalls 2
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, 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.
- The risk
- Fuel leakage in the present of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
Be the first Chief owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
2 complaints about the 2003 Indian Chief
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
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.
Indian Chief: every year compared
All Chief years2003 Indian Chief vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Indian Chief | 2 | 2 | C | |
| 2003 Indian Spirit | 3 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Indian Scout | 2 | 4 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Indian Chief
Does the 2003 Indian Chief have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Indian Chief: windshield (May 2003); fuel system, gasoline (May 2003). 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 2003 Indian Chief?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (1), electrical system (1), equipment & accessories (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Indian Chief had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 7, 2003 and the latest on January 16, 2004. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Indian Chief a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 54 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as 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 2003 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