2018 Indian Chief Vintage

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Lighting Control Module › Software22V635000
Filed Aug 19, 202228,689 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014 Chief, 2015 Chief Classic, 2014-2018 Chieftain, 2015-2020 Chief Vintage, 2016-2018 Chieftain Darkhorse, 2016-2020 Springfield, 2017-2018 Chieftain Limited, and 2018-2019 Chieftain Classic motorcycles. The electrical connection for the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) may fail, causing a loss of the front lights, including the headlight.

Risk. The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the electrical connection and VCM, as necessary. Dealers will update the VCM software, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2022. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-02. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 19V-339.

Electrical System18V228000
Filed Apr 10, 20183,341 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2018 Indian Chief, Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Chieftain Classic, Chieftain Dark Horse, Chieftain Elite, Chieftain Limited, Springfield, Springfield Dark Horse, Roadmaster, Roadmaster Elite, Roadmaster Icon, and Roadmaster Classic motorcycles. Corrosion may develop within the right combination switch, potentially resulting in the motorcycle starting without the user's intent if the key fob is near the motorcycle and the required safety interlock conditions are met.

Risk. If the motorcycle starts unintentionally and is parked in an enclosed space, exposure to carbon monoxide may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right hand combination switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-18-04.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights17V682000
Filed Oct 27, 20172,096 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. Indian Motorcycles Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chief, Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Chieftain Classic, Cheiftain Dark Horse, Chieftain Elite, Chieftain Limited, Springfield, and Springfield Dark Horse motorcycles. These motorcycles may be equipped with a European-market, not US-market, halogen headlight assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Indian will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorcycle and replace any incorrect headlight assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2017. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-17-03.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Aug 20, 2020IL

REPONDING TO URGENT SAFETY RECALL FROM INDIAN MOTORCYCLES. I'VE RECEIVED THE NOTICE THIS ISSUE BEING THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP IS OVER 40 MILES DISTANCE AND I HAVE NO METHOD TO GET IT THERE OTHER THAN RIDING IT. POLARIS WILL PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE, NOW I"M STUCK WITH A MOTORCYCLE I SHOULDN'T RIDE AND NO WAY TO GET IT FIXED WITHOUT INCURRING ADDITIONAL COST MYSELF. MEANING I WILL HAVE TO TAKE TWO DAYS OFF, RENT A TRAILER AND DRIVE APPROX 160 MILES TO DROP OFF AND PICK IT UP.

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260100Routine
20200100Routine
20190100Routine
2018 — this page1300Routine
20171200Routine
20161200Routine
20154200Routine
20146000Routine
20090300Routine
20030300Routine
20020100Routine

Compare every Chief Vintage year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 19, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.