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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Indian Chief Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Indian Chief has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 10 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Indian dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Indian Chief. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 Indian Chief owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Indian Chief, describing incidents dated May 1, 2001 to February 2, 2003.

Most-cited components

  • Suspension 3 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints
  • Service Brakes 2 complaints
  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
  • Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10024953 · Filed

    CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

  • ODI #10024952 · Filed

    CONSUMER NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BATTERY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

  • ODI #10017452 · Filed

    THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD. *NLM

Read all 10 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Indian Chief in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

INDIAN/WINDSHIELDS

NHTSA #03V191000 · Visibility — Windshield · NHTSA notice

Reported May 5, 2003 · INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY

Potentially affected: 3,625 vehicles

Indian campaign IMCSB-056 · Owners notified May 30, 2003 · Vehicles built July 1, 2000 – March 3, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE/VOLTAGE REGULATOR

NHTSA #03V039000 · Electrical System — Alternator/Generator/Regulator · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2003 · INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY

Potentially affected: 7,947 vehicles

Indian campaign IMCSB-045 · Owners notified February 14, 2003 · Vehicles built March 1, 1999 – May 20, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE REGULATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 1-888-899-2997.

Notes

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RECALL BULLETIN NO. IMCSB-045. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Indian Chief model years

Check your 2001 Indian Chief VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Indian Chief at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check an Indian VIN