- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2019 Indian Chieftain Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2019 Indian Chieftain with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (1) and the engine & cooling (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in December 2019 for the fuses and circuit breakers. For comparison, the 2018 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Chieftain year, for its age
#280 most complained-about 2019 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2019 Indian Chieftain problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2019 Indian Chieftain recalls 3
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 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2019 Indian Chieftain
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Reference 19V-776 recall campaign 2014-2019 Indian Motorcycle (111 c.I.) gear position switch. This switch was replaced under this recall in June 2020 at 250 miles. The same issue now is happening one year later at 15k miles. This fix from Indian was not effective.
Multiple time after having recall for 10a circuit breaker done bike has died on the freeway at speed as if out of gas once I pull over and turn it off and back on bike acts fine as though nothing happened I have taken it to north count indian wher I bought it and since they couldn't get it to repeat they stated fine and blew it off but bike has done it 3 times since I got it back. This is unacceptable as my life is in danger on the freeway if the bike cuts off and I can get off I could be seriously hurt indian needs to fix this asap!
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 indian chieftain. While riding 40 mph, the kickstand failed to retract when the motorcycle was started and placed into gear. The contact was unaware of the failure. While attempting to make a slight left turn, the kickstand dug into the roadway. As a result, the motorcycle flipped around 180 degrees, struck two mailboxes, drove through branches on a pine tree, and became entangled in a telephone pole. The contact was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained several bruises on the right...
Read the full complaint
elbow and contusions on the leg and elbows, which did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to ride the motorcycle away from the crash site. The motorcycle was taken to off road express (10320 wattsburg rd, erie, pa 16509, (814) 825-4747) to be inspected. The contact was informed by the dealer that they were awaiting guidance from the manufacturer on how to proceed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,519.
Indian Chieftain: every year compared
All Chieftain years2019 Indian Chieftain vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Indian Chieftain | 3 | 3 | C | |
| 2019 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse | 3 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster | 3 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2019 Indian Roadmaster Elite | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2019 Indian Chieftain Classic | 1 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2019 Indian Scout Bobber | 1 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2019 Indian Chieftan | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2019 Indian Springfield | 1 | 3 | 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 2019 Indian Chieftain
Does the 2019 Indian Chieftain have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Indian Chieftain: fuses and circuit breakers (December 2019); electrical system (October 2019); tail lights (August 2019). 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 2019 Indian Chieftain?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (1), engine & cooling (1), transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many complaints has the 2019 Indian Chieftain had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 24, 2019 and the latest on May 23, 2021. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 2019 Indian Chieftain a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 42 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 2019 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