Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2022 Chief, Chief Bobber, Chief Bobber Darkhorse, Chief Darkhorse, Super Chief, and Super Chief Limited motorcycles. The kickstand may not properly retract upon ground contact when left extended while...
1999-2022 · 12 model years
Indian Chief Problems by year
Owners have filed 70 complaints about the Indian Chief across 12 model years, and it has 13 recalls. The 2000 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (40), while 2015 has far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the suspension, followed by the engine & cooling.
- Complaints
- 70
- Recalls
- 13
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Deaths
- 0
Chief complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common Chief problems
Indian Chief recalls 13
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Scout, Scout Bobber Sixty, Scout Bobber, Scout Icon, Scout Sixty, Scout Bobber Twenty, Scout Bobber Icon, 2022 Scout Rogue Sixty, Chief, Chief Bobber, Chief Bobber Dark Horse, Chief Dark Horse...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Certain windshields that were sold as standard equipment on these motorcycles or sold as accessories for all other chief models may have defective brackets. The brackets that attach the windshield to the motorcycle are formed such that the mounting bolts are...
On certain motorcycles, due to the positioning of the gas tank vent tube, the vent tube can become clogged with debris, particularly in wet weather. Vent tube clogging can cause interruption of fuel flow to the carburetor, causing the motorcycle to stop. A...
On certain motorcycles equipped with compufire brand series type voltage regulators, if damaged, the voltage regulator can become stuck in an open mode that allows battery voltage to flow back through the regulator.
On certain motorcycles, the rear brake caliper could contact the rotor as a result of a misalignment of the caliper carrier.
Covers2002 Indian Chief
On certain motorcycles, the rear axles are made of a material with a lower than desirable yield strength.
On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars.
Latest Chief complaints
The motorcycle has developed corrosion and rust on all bolts and exposed metal. There is rust and corrosion coming through the paint and powder coat, including on the frame in the recesses and bolt holes where the frame is bolted together; threads inside the frame where foot pegs and floor boards and accessories are installed; the shock mounts. I called Indian/Polaris about the issues and was told to take the motorcycle to a dealership so a case could be opened. Indian/Polaris denied any warranty work for being...
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"to far outside warranty". The motorcycle has always been kept in an enclosed garage and cleaned and maintained. The rust and corrosion are not from environmental issues, the rust and corrosion are on the metal and coming through the paint. Frame corrosion is a safety hazard. There are several report and complaints with pictures from other Indian Chief owners on social media sites and forums. Because of the maximum number of files, I will attach the report I received from the local dealership and nine of the pictures I have taken. I have others pictures.
At 70mph on I-95 in the outside lane between Rt 50 and Rt 46 in Titusville FL, the vehicle tipover sensor triggered causing the motorcycle to engine to shut down. The roads were clear and dry, it was night time with no streetlights. The motorcycle immediately began to slow down, causing cars to veer around us as we coasted off the road and onto the shoulder. We were able to clear the alert and get the motorcycle to our FL residence (We winter in FL, reside in MA). On the way home, it triggered two more times, but...
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we were on surface roads with light traffic and were able to safely stop the motorcycle. The motorcycle was subsequently trailered to the closest Indian dealer (Daytona Beach, FL), where they have diagnosed some electrical issues, but have no cause or resolution to the triggered tipover sensor. The warning lamp had triggered twice previously, without shutting the motorcycle down, and both times the dealer (different dealer in Worcester, MA) said it was operator error, that I must have touched the kickstand while coming to a stop. This third event was the first where it shut down. The warning lamp illuminated for several seconds before the shutdown event occurred. I am aware of the fuel pump recall and am still awaiting parts for this repair. The dealer has confirmed that this is not a fuel pump failure event.
-Consistent problems with display -Headlight continually on and not adjustable -Computer module burns out very easily and lights/horn directly into the unit which makes it go out so easily
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 indian chief. The contact stated that after the motorcycle was started and with the transmission in neutral, the motorcycle spontaneously accelerated and struck a side of the house. There was no police report filed. No injuries were reported. The motorcycle was taken to american biker located at 679 treeland dr, ladson, sc 29456, however, the technician was not able to determine the cause of spontaneous acceleration. The contact receiving notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v776000 (electrical system, power train). The motorcycle was repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 indian chief motorcycle. When decelerating, the motorcycle would vibrate violently. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Indian motorcycle of marietta and slingshot of marietta (1750 cobb pkwy se, marietta, ga 30060, (770) 956-9577) diagnosed that the front brake rotors needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. *Tt *bf consumer stated front brake rotors bad and vibrate when applying brakes. Motorcycle is still under warranty indian would not replace them. *Jb
Ignition switch fails causing engine to back fire and quit. Switch has been replaced with oem switch 3 times with same result! Front brake leaver has excessive travel at times limiting braking potential on front tire. Problem is intermittent. Rear drive belt is wearing rear pulley excessively increasing the potential for belt failure. *Cb
Questions about the Indian Chief
Which Indian Chief years have the most problems?
Which Indian Chief years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Indian Chief problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the suspension (19), engine & cooling (13), brakes (12) most often.
How many recalls does the Indian Chief have?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls across all Indian Chief model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data