Every 2017 Indian Chief recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 22V635000
Aug 19, 2022Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software
- 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.
- Risk
- The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V635000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 19V776000
Oct 29, 2019Electrical System
- 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.
- Risk
- If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V776000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 17V682000
Oct 27, 2017Exterior Lighting:Headlights
- 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."
- Risk
- The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V682000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 16V877000
Jun 12, 2016Fuel System, Gasoline
- Problem
- Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Vintage, Chieftan, Chieftan Dark Horse, Springfield and Roadmaster motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to July 15, 2016. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel rail may contact other components and result in a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Indian will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket that will limit movement of the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-03.
Full recall details for 16V877000 →
2017 Indian Chief complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Indian Chief. Indian has issued at least 28 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System1
- Power Train1
- Service Brakes1
- Structure1
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (76)
- Electrical System (54)
- Power Train (20)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (13)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (13)
- Structure (7)
Read Indian Chief owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Indian Chief. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“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.”
2017 INDIAN CHIEFFeb 24, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11311178
“I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS BIKE NEW FROM LYNWOOD MOTOPLEX HERE IN THE STATE OF WA. IT NOW HAS ONLY 287 MILES ON IT AND THE SIDESTAND SPRING, PART NO. 7043056 BROKE IN HALF. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS RIDING AND TURNING LEFT THIS COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH BY JACKNIFING THE MOTORCYCLE.”
2017 INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGEFeb 10, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11072100
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 INDIAN CHIEF MOTORCYCLE. WHEN DECELERATING, THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.”
2017 INDIAN CHIEFApr 2, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11193406
Check your Chief by VIN
Not every 2017 Indian Chief is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Indian dealer.
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