2018 Indian CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
Power Train: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2020: 1; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11316833 · 2020-03-08 (March 8, 2020)
I HAVE HAD THIS MOTORCYCLE FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND THE KICKSTAND SPRING BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. LUCKILY I WAS NOT RIDING WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE KICKSTAND WILL NOT STAY UP AND IF I WAS RIDING AND MADE A LEFT TURN WITHOUT KNOWING IT WAS DOWN I COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND KILLED
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422889 · 2021-06-30 (June 30, 2021)
I am in cruise control 6th gear and it turns off and the bike is in neutral. I have to shift to 5th. The gear indicator is also slow to change to what gear I am in. I had the gear sensor replaced under a recall but it seems to be the cause of this.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426413 · 2021-07-26 (July 26, 2021)
While riding the motorcycle the windshield adjustment motor failed to raise the windshield from a lowered position to a raised position resulting in exposing my head to road hazards. The worm gear carrier that articulates the windshield is made of weak plastic.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426413 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V682000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2017-10-27 (October 27, 2017)
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)
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 ↗22V635000 · Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software | Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2022-08-19 (August 19, 2022)
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 ↗