Owners filed 6 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train
3
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting
2
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
1
0
0
0
4 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 System19V776000
Filed Oct 29, 201952,745 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Chief, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and Springfield motorcycles. The gear position switch contacts may oxidize, causing the gear position display to inaccurately show that the motorcycle is in neutral when it is actually in gear.
Risk. If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Dealers will replace the switch free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-03.
Exterior Lighting19V339000
Filed May 1, 20196,487 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014 Chief and Chieftain motorcycles. Due to a problem within the Vehicle Control Module (VCM), all of the front lights, including the headlight, may go out while riding.
Risk. The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy. Indian will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) connector and update the VCM software. If the VCM connector is damaged, a new connector and VCM will be installed, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-02. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-635.
Electrical System › Ignition16V446000
Filed Jun 17, 201618,383 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures.
Risk. Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy. Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-02.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 7, 2024GA
While operating the motorcycle, it will randomly go into limp mode no matter what speed you’re at the motorcycle will rapidly decelerate extremely quickly and without warning. No brake light to illuminate when this happens. I have contacted INDIAN motorcycles as well as dealerships with absolutely no help whatsoever. This is extremely dangerous and can get me killed!!!!!
Power Train
Filed Sep 14, 2020AL
CLUTCH CABLES APPEARS TO FAILING AT WHAT MAY BE CONSIDERED A HIGH RATE. LOSS OF CLUTCH COULD LEAD TO RIDER BEING UNABLE TO OPERATE THE MOTORCYCLE SAFELY. MY PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE IN UNAFFECTED BY THIS BUT I'M SEEING REPORTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES THAT IS IT IS OCCURRING AT A HIGH FREQUENCY.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 3, 201924,000 milesID
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS AND HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY, THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO INDIAN MOTORCYCLE BOISE (2374 E CINEMA DR, #106, MERIDIAN, ID 83642, 208-887-3450) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. A VIN SEARCH SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V339000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Power Train
Filed Aug 17, 201824,000 milesCA
GEAR INDICATOR DOES NOT ALWAYS SHOW CORRECT GEAR THAT YOU ARE IN. WHEN BIKE IS IN NEUTRAL INDICATOR IN SHOWING 2 ND GEAR. INDICATOR WAS SHOWING NEUTRAL SO I HIT THE STARTED SWITCH, IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR, DIDN'T HAVE MAY HANDS ON THE HANDLE BARS, BIKE STARTED AND TOOK OFF, ABOUT THREW ME OFF. READING THE FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT YET NO RECALL ON THIS
Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 4, 201717,800 milesCA
HEADLIGHT AND DRIVING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHILE RIDING, THIS IS NOT A BURNED-OUT BULB. THE VCM WIRING CIRCUIT IS BURNED ON PIN #11. I READ OF AT THREE OTHER INDIAN'S WITH THIS ISSUE, READ ON: HTTP://WWW.CHIEFMOTORCYCLEFORUM.COM/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=8205.30
Power Train
Filed Oct 28, 20141,800 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT PAST FIRST GEAR UNTIL THE SPEED DECREASED TO 5 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING TO SPECIFICATIONS AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE WARMED UP FOR TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.
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.