Owners filed 2 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes
1
1
0
2
Electrical System
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.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder15V721000
Filed Nov 2, 20157,614 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and 2016 Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured January 2, 2015, to October 23, 2015. Due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, the motorcycles may have a reduction in, or a complete loss of, rear brake power.
Risk. A full or partial loss of rear braking power may lengthen the distance needed to slow or stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake master cylinder piston assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2015. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-15-04.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed May 3, 202135,400 milesFL
1) PRESSED IGNITION BOTTON TO TURN BIKE OFF AND BIKE STAYED ON. 2) ABS INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON. 3) SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO WHILE RIDING. 4) RADIO JUST STOPPED WORKING NO INDICATION ON DASHBOARD WHILE RIDING.
Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 20, 201820,000 milesOH
I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER ON THE BIKE THAT I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR. I APPROACHED A SWEEPING RIGHT HAND CURVE AND THE BIKE WOULD NOT TURN, WE WENT HEAD FIRST INTO A GUARDRAIL AT ABOUT 40MPH. I BELIEVE THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ON THE REAR TIRE WHILE IN THE TURN. POC SHOWS BLOWBACK OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE DRIVE BELT GUARD RIGHT BESIDE THE REAR TIRE. THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN HAPPEN IS WITH AIR MOVEMENT, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE BIKE TO NOT TURN OR REACT, CAUSING THE CRASH.
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.