- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2014 Indian Chieftain Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2014 Indian Chieftain with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (3) and the lights (2). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in August 2022 for the software. For comparison, the 2015 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Chieftain year, for its age
#272 most complained-about 2014 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2014 Indian Chieftain problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2014 Indian Chieftain recalls 4
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 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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6 complaints about the 2014 Indian Chieftain
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
While operating the motorcycle, it will randomly go into limp mode no matter what speed you're at the motorcycle will rapidly decelerate extremely quickly and without warning. No brake light to illuminate when this happens. I have contacted INDIAN motorcycles as well as dealerships with absolutely no help whatsoever. This is extremely dangerous and can get me killed!!!!!
Clutch cables appears to failing at what may be considered a high rate. Loss of clutch could lead to rider being unable to operate the motorcycle safely. My particular motorcycle in unaffected by this but I'm seeing reports on various web sites that is it is occurring at a high frequency.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 indian chieftain. The contact stated that the daytime running lamps and headlights started to fail intermittently. Eventually, the lights completely failed to operate. The contact drove to indian motorcycle boise (2374 e cinema dr, #106, meridian, id 83642, 208-887-3450) where he was informed that the vehicle was included in a recall; however, the parts were unavailable for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they still did not have the...
Read the full complaint
parts available for the recall. A vin search showed that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 19v339000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 24,000.
Gear indicator does not always show correct gear that you are in. When bike is in neutral indicator in showing 2 nd gear. Indicator was showing neutral so I hit the started switch, it was in first gear, didn't have may hands on the handle bars, bike started and took off, about threw me off. Reading the forums this seems to be a common problem, but yet no recall on this
Headlight and driving lights stopped working while riding, this is not a burned-out bulb. The vcm wiring circuit is burned on pin #11. I read of at three other indian's with this issue, read on: http://www.Chiefmotorcycleforum.Com/index.Php?Topic=8205.30
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 indian chieftain motorcycle. While driving 30 mph, the gear lever failed to shift past first gear until the speed decreased to 5 mph. The contact mentioned that the failure only occurred in cold temperatures. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the vehicle was working to specifications and recommended that the vehicle be warmed up for ten minutes. The failure persisted and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 1,800.
Indian Chieftain: every year compared
All Chieftain years2014 Indian Chieftain vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Indian Chieftain | 6 | 4 | C | |
| 2014 Indian Chief Vintage | 6 | 0 | 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 2014 Indian Chieftain
Does the 2014 Indian Chieftain have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Indian Chieftain: software (August 2022); electrical system (October 2019); exterior lighting (May 2019); exhaust system (June 2016). 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 2014 Indian Chieftain?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (3), lights (2), electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 2014 Indian Chieftain had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 28, 2014 and the latest on June 7, 2024. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2014 Indian Chieftain a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 46 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Indian Chieftain 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 Chieftain years have the most complaints?
2014 (6), 2019 (3), 2015 (2). See every Indian Chieftain year compared.
What should I do if my 2014 Indian Chieftain 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