Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Indian Chief, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension5
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Steering3
- Exterior lighting2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Power train2
- Structure1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1999 Indian Chief.
| 2003302 27 Nov 2003 | Electrical On certain motorcycles equipped with Compufire brand series type voltage regulators, if damaged, the voltage regulator can become stuck in an open mode that all… |
| 2003307 27 Nov 2003 | Other On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars. Loss of control of the motorcycle could occur, increa… |
| 2003308 27 Nov 2003 | Suspension 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. This … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HANDLE BAR RISER TOP CLAMP COULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE BARS.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Indian told its dealers about the 1999 Indian Chief: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10208642 | Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French. |
| 10189626 | EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice. |
| 10030064 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10030026 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE |
| 10030025 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR THE WEIGHT THE MOTORCYCLE IS CARRYING. TO ADJUST THE SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING, YOU WILL NEED AN APPROPRIATE SPANNER WRENCH. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
HANDLEBAR LOOSENING
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation