What Indian Chieftain owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Indian Chieftain safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| 2019 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 2015 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Indian Chieftain complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The contact owns a 2025 Indian Chieftain PowerPlus Motorcycle. The contact stated that on several occasions while accelerating or decelerating, the motorcycle stalled and almost tipped over. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated after the motorcycle stalled. The motorcycle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that software updates were not performed and had caused the failure. The software updates were performed, and the motorcycle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105.
The motorcycle will lose all power and completely shut down. This will happen when the battery voltage meter indicates full voltage. This happened multiple times on our 2022 trip and again on our 2023 trip despite having the issue diagnosed at a dealer. We were told that everything was fine and no issues noted and the battery is good. In 2024 the battery indicator light came on, we took the bike to the dealership and had to have a new stator, regulator and battery. We took the bike on a trip in 2025. On this trip the voltage dropped to where the bike would not run. After getting the bike to the dealership we were informed that the regulator was shot.
I bought this motorcycle on [XXX]. I have had dozens of warning screens come up. Some of them tell me say there is a problem with ABS system and I should transport bike to dealer. Not ride but transport it to dealer. I have one that comes up and tells me I have a flat tire but they tell me to ignore it. Numerous different ones tell me to transport bike to dealer. The dealer and Indian tell me to ignore them and calls them nuisance warnings. I have taken it into dealer numerous times. It has been in the dealer over 3 weeks since I have owned it and nothing has been fixed. I have called Indian's customer service numerous times. All I get is the runaround. I found a something on your website …
The contact owns a 2017 Indian Chieftain Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding the motorcycle at an undisclosed speed, the high beam indicator warning light illuminated. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V635000 (Exterior Lighting) in November 2022; however, the recall repair was not completed at the time. The contact stated that the motorcycle was only inspected for failure at the time. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,660.
While operating the motorcycle, it will randomly go into limp mode no matter what speed youâre 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!!!!!
The contact owns a 2019 Indian Chieftain Darkhorse. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and shifting into the next gear, the gear shift lever was not showing which gear the vehicle was driving in. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was occurring at various speeds and caused the vehicle to stall while slowing for traffic. The contact stated that the gear shift indicator indicated that the vehicle was in second gear and the vehicle was in third gear and the engine became bogged down and the vehicle stalled in traffic. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but was having difficulty locating neutral(N). The contact stated that the vehicle had to be p…
Gear shifter had a recall that was fixed however I just purchased this bike and is having the same issues again. The display indicates the wrong gear.
The contact owns a 2020 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse Motorcycle. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while her son was riding at undisclosed speeds, the motorcycle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the motorcycle. No warning light was illuminated. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The motorcycle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. A case number was provided. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the inspection, tension and alignment of the drive belt on model year 2025 Roadmaster PowerPlus, Chieftain PowerPlus, Challenger, and Pursuit motorcycles.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding clutch lever maintenance and freeplay adjustment on model year 2025 Indian Roadmaster PowerPlus, Chieftain Powerplus, Challenger and Pursuit motorcycles.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and maintenance of the brake system on Model Year 2025 Roadmaster PowerPlus, Chieftain PowerPlus, Challenger and Pursuit motorcycles.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the removal and installation of the battery on model year 2025 Indian Roadmaster PowerPlus, Chieftain PowerPlus, Challenger and Pursuit motorcycles.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding how to perform the spark plug service on Model Year 2025 Indian Roadmaster PowerPlus, Chieftain PowerPlus, Challenger, and Pursuit motorcycles.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding how to remove and replace the engine oil and filter on Model Year 2025 Roadmaster PowerPlus, Chieftain PowerPlus, Challenger, and Pursuit motorcycles.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding air filter inspection and replacement on Model Year 2025 Indian Challenger, Pursuit, Roadmaster PowerPlus and Chieftain PowerPlus vehicles.
Indian Motorcycles is releasing a guide to aid in misfire diagnosis on heavyweight air and liquid cooled motorcycles. This Team Tip provides additional details on the systems and components that may contribute to misfire or runabillity concern, along with how to repair them.
This Ask Polaris article provides information for dealer technicians regarding troubleshooting and resolving 2025 Indian motorcycle PowerPlus models that experience Chassis Fault illumination, along with one of the following codes present: C10B1: Suspension Position Signal Counter Error C10B0: Suspension Position Out of Calibration
This Indian Motorcycle help center article contains information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding removal and installation of the battery on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.
This Indian Motorycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2013–2025, owners most often name: electrical system, power train, engine. 27 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.