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U.S. public vehicle records

Indian CHIEFTAIN recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

15 owner complaints analyzed

11 distinct recall campaigns

18,900 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2014 to 2024 model years. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2014
4
2015
4
2016
4
2017
3
2018
4
2019
3
2023
1
2024
2
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20144
20154
20164
20173
20184
20193
20231
20242

2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 2

Year-by-year records

Indian CHIEFTAIN model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
201464Not available
2015240
2016140
201723-1
201814+1
201933-1
202301Not available
202402+1

Recall history

11 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

16V446000 · Electrical System:Ignition | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Reported: 2016-06-17 (June 17, 2016) · Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V339000 · Exterior Lighting

Reported: 2019-05-01 (May 1, 2019) · Model years: 2014

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V776000 · Electrical System | Power Train:Manual Transmission

Reported: 2019-10-29 (October 29, 2019) · Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V635000 · Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software | Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Reported: 2022-08-19 (August 19, 2022) · Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V721000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

Reported: 2015-11-02 (November 2, 2015) · Model years: 2015, 2016

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V682000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Reported: 2017-10-27 (October 27, 2017) · Model years: 2017, 2018

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."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V228000 · Electrical System

Reported: 2018-04-10 (April 10, 2018) · Model years: 2018

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V638000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights

Reported: 2019-08-29 (August 29, 2019) · Model years: 2019

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain motorcycles. The tail lights may be too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed. 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."

Consequence: Due to increased brightness, other drivers may have difficulties discerning the brake light from the tail light, and thus may be unaware that the motorcycle is braking, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module software to correct the rear tail light's intensity, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2019. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-04.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V882000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers

Reported: 2019-12-11 (December 11, 2019) · Model years: 2019

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain, Vintage, Roadmaster, Dark Horse, Springfield, and FTR1200 motorcycles. A 10A circuit breaker may be defective, tripping unexpectedly and causing a sudden loss of power and an engine stall.

Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Indian will notify owners and provide a new 10A circuit breaker and installation instructions. Owners may choose to have the part installed at a dealership, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-05.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V829000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor

Reported: 2023-12-07 (December 7, 2023) · Model years: 2023, 2024

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2023 Chieftain Elite, 2023-2024 Chieftain Dark Horse, Chieftain Dark Horse Icon, Chieftain Limited, Chieftain, Roadmaster Limited, Roadmaster Dark Horse, Roadmaster, Springfield, Springfield Dark Horse, and 2024 Roadmaster Elite motorcycles. The crankshaft position sensor may have been routed improperly, which can result in an engine stall.

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reroute, or replace the crankshaft position sensor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2023. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-23-07.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V550000 · Suspension:Rear

Reported: 2024-07-23 (July 23, 2024) · Model years: 2024

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2024 Chieftain, Challenger, Pursuit, Roadmaster, and Springfield motorcycles. Please refer to the recall report for a complete list of model names. The rear suspension pushrod may buckle under load.

Consequence: A rear suspension pushrod that buckles may pinch the main chassis harness, damage the coolant reservoir, damage the rear tire, or cause the motorcycle to bottom out under load. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension pushrod, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2024. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-24-07.

NHTSA campaign record ↗