- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2017 Indian Chief Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2017 Indian Chief with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (1) and the brakes (1). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 2019 for the electrical system. For comparison, the 2016 has 0 and the 2018 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Chief year, for its age
#335 most complained-about 2017 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2017 Indian Chief problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2017 Indian Chief recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2017 Indian Chief
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
Indian Chief: every year compared
All Chief years2017 Indian Chief vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Indian Chief | 2 | 2 | C | |
| 2017 Indian Roadmaster | 9 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2017 Indian Chieftain | 2 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 2017 Indian Springfield | 1 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2017 Indian Chieftan | 1 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2017 Indian Chief Vintage | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2017 Indian Chief
Does the 2017 Indian Chief have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Indian Chief: electrical system (October 2019); headlights (October 2017). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Indian Chief?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (1), brakes (1), transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many complaints has the 2017 Indian Chief had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 2, 2019 and the latest on February 24, 2020. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2017 Indian Chief a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 54 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Indian Chief year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Indian Chief years have the most complaints?
2000 (40), 2001 (10), 1999 (9). See every Indian Chief year compared.
What should I do if my 2017 Indian Chief has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data