Check a VIN

2017 Indian Chief problems

The most common problem on the 2017 Indian Chief is brakes. Its complaint count is close to a typical Chief model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
28
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2017 Indian Chief problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

Electrical systemReported October 29, 2019 · 52,745 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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 number 19V776000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported October 27, 2017 · 2,096 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 17V682000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2017 Indian Chief

Technical service bulletins for the 2017 Indian Chief 28

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 28 bulletins for the 2017 Indian Chief

What 2017 Indian Chief owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Electrical, Transmission · 12,000 miles · SC

Tl* 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. The motorcycle was taken to american biker located at 679 treeland dr, ladson, sc 29456, however, the technician was not able to determine the cause of spontaneous acceleration. The contact receiving notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v776000 (electrical system, power train). The motorcycle was repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Brakes · 37,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 indian chief motorcycle. When decelerating, the motorcycle would vibrate violently. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Indian motorcycle of marietta and slingshot of marietta (1750 cobb pkwy se, marietta, ga 30060, (770) 956-9577) diagnosed that the front brake rotors needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. *tt *bf consumer stated front brake rotors bad and vibrate when applying brakes. Motorcycle is still under warranty indian would not replace them.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2017 Indian Chief before you buy

Compare the 2017 Indian Chief

Other model years

19992000200120022003201520172022

Questions about the 2017 Indian Chief

Is the 2017 Indian Chief reliable?

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2017 Indian Chief, close to a typical Chief model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Indian Chief?

Brakes, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).

How many recalls does the 2017 Indian Chief have?

2 recalls, covering electrical system and exterior lighting.

Share your experience with the 2017 Indian Chief

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2017 Indian Chief?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN