Indian Chief recalls

There are 14 safety recalls on record for the Indian Chief, covering 124,641 vehicles in total across all the models in each campaign. Newest first.

Indian Chief recalls by model year

2022 2 2019 1 2018 3 2017 2 2016 1 2015 1 2014 2 2013 1 2012 1 2003 2 2002 4 2001 2 2000 4 1999 4

All recalls

Structure: motorcycle: kickstand/center standReported December 29, 2022 · 4,653 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2022 Chief, Chief Bobber, Chief Bobber Darkhorse, Chief Darkhorse, Super Chief, and Super Chief Limited motorcycles. The kickstand may not properly retract upon ground contact when left extended while riding. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 123, "Motorcycle Controls and Displays."
Risk: A kickstand that does not properly retract can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the kickstand, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1‑877‑204‑3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-23-01.

Recall number 22V957000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported November 11, 2022 · 7,812 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Scout, Scout Bobber Sixty, Scout Bobber, Scout Icon, Scout Sixty, Scout Bobber Twenty, Scout Bobber Icon, 2022 Scout Rogue Sixty, Chief, Chief Bobber, Chief Bobber Dark Horse, Chief Dark Horse, Scout Rogue, Super Chief, and Super Chief Limited motorcycles. The fuel pump may fail while riding.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump and the fuel pump seal, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1‑877‑204‑3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-22-06.

Recall number 22V837000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: lighting control module: softwareReported August 19, 2022 · 28,689 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
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 the federal safety agency recall number 19V‑339.

Recall number 22V635000 · Recall details

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

Electrical systemReported April 10, 2018 · 3,341 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2018 Indian Chief, Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Chieftain Classic, Chieftain Dark Horse, Chieftain Elite, Chieftain Limited, Springfield, Springfield Dark Horse, Roadmaster, Roadmaster Elite, Roadmaster Icon, and Roadmaster Classic motorcycles. Corrosion may develop within the right combination switch, potentially resulting in the motorcycle starting without the user's intent if the key fob is near the motorcycle and the required safety interlock conditions are met.
Risk: If the motorcycle starts unintentionally and is parked in an enclosed space, exposure to carbon monoxide may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right hand combination switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1‑877‑204‑3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-18-04.

Recall number 18V228000 · 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

Wheels: rimReported August 30, 2013 · 861 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2009 Deluxe and Standard, 2009-2011 Roadmaster, 2009-2013 Vintage, 2010 Bomber, 2010-2013 Classic and Dark Horse, 2011 Blackhawk Dark and Blackhawk motorcycles. The rear rim may crack and cause a loss of air pressure.
Risk: The cracked rim can lead to a flat rear tire, which could cause the rider to lose control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear rim, free of charge. Indian mailed an interim letter to owners in September 2013. Parts are now available. A second notice was sent to owners during April 2014. Owners may contact Indian at 1‑888‑704‑5290.

Recall number 13V391000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshieldReported May 5, 2003 · 3,625 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Certain windshields that were sold as standard equipment on these motorcycles or sold as accessories for all other chief models may have defective brackets. The brackets that attach the windshield to the motorcycle are formed such that the mounting bolts are not flush with the bracket. This could place excessive stress on the bolts causing them to break.
Risk: Broken mounting bolts could lead to the windshield coming loose and even falling off the bike, potentially striking the rider or otherwise causing the rider to lose control of the motorcycle and crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brackets and bolts on the windshield. Owner notification began may 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian motorcycle at 1‑888‑899‑2997.

Recall number 03V191000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 5, 2003 · 1,979 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain motorcycles, due to the positioning of the gas tank vent tube, the vent tube can become clogged with debris, particularly in wet weather. Vent tube clogging can cause interruption of fuel flow to the carburetor, causing the motorcycle to stop. A clogged vent tube may also cause pressure to build up in the gas tank and push a small amount of gas out of the fuel filler cap seal.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the present of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the current vent tube with a longer tube repositioned to prevent clogging. Owner notification began may 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian motorcycle at 1‑888‑899‑2997.

Recall number 03V173000 · Recall details

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorReported February 10, 2003 · 7,947 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain motorcycles equipped with compufire brand series type voltage regulators, if damaged, the voltage regulator can become stuck in an open mode that allows battery voltage to flow back through the regulator.
Risk: This condition can potentially cause the regulator to catch on fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the motorcycle and, if necessary, replace the regulator. Owner notification began february 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian motorcycle at 1‑888‑899‑2997.

Recall number 03V039000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliperReported September 13, 2002 · 948 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain motorcycles, the rear brake caliper could contact the rotor as a result of a misalignment of the caliper carrier.
Risk: The rear brake can overheat and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the motorcycle to ensure that the rear brake caliper and rotor are correctly positioned. If they are not, the dealer will replace the swing arm and rear brake assembly. Owner notification began august 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian motorcycle at 1‑408‑846‑7228.

Recall number 02V246000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported July 8, 2002 · 590 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain motorcycles, the rear axles are made of a material with a lower than desirable yield strength.
Risk: Under repeated heavy loads, the rear axle could deform causing excessive wear in the rear wheel bearings potentially leading to overheating and seizing of the bearings, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axles on these motorcycles. Owner notification began august 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian at 1‑408‑846‑7228.

Recall number 02V180000 · Recall details

Steering: steering wheel/handle barReported May 30, 2002 · 4,765 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain motorcycles, the handle bar riser top clamp could allow excessive movement of the handle bars.
Risk: Loss of control of the motorcycle could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will fit the motorcycles with a new riser top clamp. Owner notification began may 31, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian motorcycle at 1‑408‑846‑7228.

Recall number 02V144000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported May 3, 2002 · 4,590 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain motorcycles equipped with rear shock absorbers made by sway-a-way, the bolts that mount the rear shock absorbers to the swing arm could break.
Risk: This could result in the collapse of the rear suspension, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers and replace them if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin during may 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian at 1‑408‑846‑7228.

Recall number 02V124000 · Recall details

Questions about the Indian Chief recalls

How do I check if my Indian Chief has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in the VIN decoder on this page to see the recalls for your exact model and year, then confirm with any dealer of the brand or the manufacturer, who can tell you whether the repair was already done on your car.

Do I have to pay for a recall repair?

No. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer of the brand, even if the car is out of warranty or you are not the first owner.

How many recalls does the Indian Chief have?

14, covering structure, fuel system, gasoline and exterior lighting.

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