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.
The worst 2003 Indian Chief problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Transmission1
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the present of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V173000 · Recall details
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Indian Chief 8
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.
- Transmission pulley, drive belt, and rear drive pulley replacement. tt
- Pushrod adjustment. tt
What 2003 Indian Chief owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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Questions about the 2003 Indian Chief
Is the 2003 Indian Chief reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2003 Indian Chief, close to a typical Chief model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Indian Chief?
Brakes, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Indian Chief have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and visibility.
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