Consumer states has not been able to have 2 recalls on bike repaired since 05/02. Recall ids: 02v144000 and 02v124000. Consumer has contacted dealer several times and was repeatedly advised waiting on parts. Consumer finally spoke with owner who blamed delay on certain employees no longer working for dealership. Owner advised would order parts and consumer has been waiting now for 3.5 weeks. Ts
The worst 1999 Indian Chief problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Suspension5
- Brakes3
- Steering3
- Engine2
- Lights2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension5
- Brakes3
- Steering3
- Engine2
- Lights2
- Transmission2
- Body1
- Electrical1
Recalls 4
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 03V191000 · Recall details
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This condition can potentially cause the regulator to catch on fire.
- 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.
Recall number 03V039000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars.
- Risk
- Loss of control of the motorcycle could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 02V144000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This could result in the collapse of the rear suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 02V124000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1999 Indian Chief
Defect investigations
Handlebar loosening
Odi opened this investigation after receiving one owner complaint regarding two instances of handlebar loosening on a 2000 indian chief model motorcycle.this was occurring because the handlebar riser clamp material was tww soft resulting in insufficient clamping force necessary to fully secure the handlebar in certain foreseeable maneuvers.indian is recalling the subject vehicles to replace the inferior riser clamp with another of more robust material.
PE02037
Rear suspension collapse
Six manufacturer incidents of broken rear suspension shock absorber mounting brackets and forty-two of broken shock bolts.the original sway-away rear shock absorbers (identified by a black housing) are not adequate for the subject bikes' gvwr.shock bottoming (I.e., coil bind) consequently occurs at the upper range of the machine's weight carrying capacity and the resulting loads break the shock mounting brackets and/or bolts.indian is recalling the subject motorcycles to install shock absorbers from progressive suspension.the progressives have a greater load carrying capabilty and may be identified by the gold color.with indian's recall, odi is closing this pe.
PE01039
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Indian Chief 5
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and...
- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
- Indian motorcycle: the rear shock absorber on the motorcycle CAN be adjusted for the weight the motorcycle...
- Indian motorcycle: transmission oil level check. model and model years not listed.
- Indian motorcycle: engine oil level check. no model or model years listed.
What 1999 Indian Chief owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Consumer states that there is a recall for the shock absorber, dealer is charging for recall. Mr
Shocks tear out of frame when going over a bump, rear swing arm pivot shaft wants to pull it further than the shock will allow it. *ak
Rear shock bolts are shearing off the top. Dealer was notified and replaced shocks on eight occasions. Problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further details.
Motorcycle experiencing severe shaking in front while traveling at 50 MPH or more, and rear shocks were replace on two occasions. But, problem still reoccurring. *ak the front mastercylinder failed. Rear pads needed replacing. Replace head light bulb.
At 4,000 miles front brakes would fade intermittently when applied. Vehicle been in dealer shop on several occasions, and problem still reoccurring. *ak problems with the master cylinder cause brake lights to flash, front brakes have locked up the front wheel on two occasions, rear brakes have failed completely three occasions, front rotor warped, rear master cylinder has been replaced, front master cylinder replaced, rear brake pads replaced. Tapping noise in engine, drive belt noisy, oil leak, engine backfires. Rear turn signal lens collects moisture. Handle bar master bad. Blown clutch due to assembled wrong in factory. Fuel tanks replaced due to cracks around mounting brackets caused fuel to leak on the hot engine. Shocks squeak. Ignition switch replaced.
5 speed transmission is leaking fluid. Dealer notified, and problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide us with any further information concerning this matter .
Oil leakages; vehicle been in dealer's shop on seven occasions, and problem still occurring. *ak consumer had front and rear brakes service, front master cylinder rebuilt on several occasions, front rocker cover leking, head lights and driving lights have been adjusted, oil leaking at push rods.
Handle bars will pivot up or down without excessive force being used. All hand controls are out of reach of the rider, and the rider can not steer the motorcycle. If they slip downward, as was my case, the riders legs can be pinned by either thier own arms or the handle bars. This is a defect known to the manufacturer and the dealship I bought the bike from.
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Questions about the 1999 Indian Chief
Is the 1999 Indian Chief reliable?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 1999 Indian Chief, 4.5 times a typical Chief model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Indian Chief?
Suspension, with 5 complaints. Next is brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 1999 Indian Chief have?
4 recalls, covering visibility, electrical system and steering.
Was there a recall on the 1999 Indian Chief suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V124000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
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