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2014 Indian Chieftain problems

The most common problem on the 2014 Indian Chieftain is transmission and drivetrain. It has 3.0 times the complaints of a typical Chieftain model year.

Typical year3.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
30
Worst area
Transmission

The worst 2014 Indian Chieftain problems

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

  • Transmission
    3
  • Lights
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Transmission
    3
  • Lights
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1

Recalls 4

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

Exterior lightingReported May 1, 2019 · 6,487 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014 Chief and Chieftain motorcycles. Due to a problem within the Vehicle Control Module (VCM), all of the front lights, including the headlight, may go out while riding.
Risk
The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
Indian will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) connector and update the VCM software. If the VCM connector is damaged, a new connector and VCM will be installed, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1‑877‑204‑3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-02. This recall is replaced by the federal safety agency recall number 22V‑635.

Recall number 19V339000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust systemReported June 17, 2016 · 18,383 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures.
Risk
Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy
Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1‑877‑204‑3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-02.

Recall number 16V446000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2014 Indian Chieftain

Technical service bulletins for the 2014 Indian Chieftain 30

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

See all 30 bulletins for the 2014 Indian Chieftain

What 2014 Indian Chieftain owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 7, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · GA

While operating the motorcycle, it will randomly go into limp mode no matter what speed you’re 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!!!!!

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Transmission · AL

Clutch cables appears to failing at what may be considered a high rate. Loss of clutch could lead to rider being unable to operate the motorcycle safely. My particular motorcycle in unaffected by this but I'm seeing reports on various web sites that is it is occurring at a high frequency.

Filed Sep 3, 2019 · Lights · 24,000 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 indian chieftain. The contact stated that the daytime running lamps and headlights started to fail intermittently. Eventually, the lights completely failed to operate. The contact drove to indian motorcycle boise (2374 e cinema dr, #106, meridian, id 83642, 208‑887‑3450) where he was informed that the vehicle was included in a recall; however, the parts were unavailable for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they still did not have the parts available for the recall. A VIN search showed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v339000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 24,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2018 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · CA

Gear indicator does not always show correct gear that you are in. When bike is in neutral indicator in showing 2 nd gear. Indicator was showing neutral so I hit the started switch, it was in first gear, didn't have may hands on the handle bars, bike started and took off, about threw me off. Reading the forums this seems to be a common problem, but yet no recall on this

Filed Sep 4, 2017 · Lights · 17,800 miles · CA

Headlight and driving lights stopped working while riding, this is not a burned-out bulb. The vcm wiring circuit is burned on pin #11. I read of at three other indian's with this issue, read on: http://www.chiefmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=8205.30

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Transmission · 1,800 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 indian chieftain motorcycle. While driving 30 MPH, the gear lever failed to shift past first gear until the speed decreased to 5 MPH. The contact mentioned that the failure only occurred in cold temperatures. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the vehicle was working to specifications and recommended that the vehicle be warmed up for ten minutes. The failure persisted and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 1,800.

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Questions about the 2014 Indian Chieftain

Is the 2014 Indian Chieftain reliable?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2014 Indian Chieftain, 3.0 times a typical Chieftain model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Indian Chieftain?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints. Next is lights (2).

How many recalls does the 2014 Indian Chieftain have?

4 recalls, covering exterior lighting, electrical system and engine and engine cooling.

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