Model year record

2017 INDIAN Chieftain

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 4 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V635000

Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software

Component
Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycle Company
Vehicles affected
28,689
Reported to NHTSA
2022-08-19
Owners notified
2022-09-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V776000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycle Company
Vehicles affected
52,745
Reported to NHTSA
2019-10-29
Owners notified
2020-04-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V682000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycle Company
Vehicles affected
2,096
Reported to NHTSA
2017-10-27
Owners notified
2017-12-06

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1
Exterior lighting127,660 mi
Power train1
Unknown or other1

The 2016 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 2018 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.