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2018 Indian Chieftain problems

The most common problem on the 2018 Indian Chieftain is acceleration and speed control. It has fewer complaints than a typical Chieftain model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
36
Worst area
Acceleration

The worst 2018 Indian Chieftain problems

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

  • Acceleration
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Acceleration
    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

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

See all 4 recalls for the 2018 Indian Chieftain

Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Indian Chieftain 36

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

See all 36 bulletins for the 2018 Indian Chieftain

What 2018 Indian Chieftain owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 3, 2021 · Acceleration · PA

The gear position indicator has been replaced multiple times, including the recall “fix” intended to remediate the incorrect readings. The continuing issue is that the indicator often senses neutral when the transmission is actually in 6th gear (the other gears are often incorrect but cause less of a safety issue)—the result is that cruise control cannot be used in 6th gear without substantial risk, as the computer will automatically deactivate the cruise control when the indicator bounces from 6th gear to neutral. When this happens, the bike quickly decelerates and can lurch, causing an extremely hazardous situation—this is especially concerning at highway speeds and/or in heavy traffic.

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Questions about the 2018 Indian Chieftain

Is the 2018 Indian Chieftain reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2018 Indian Chieftain, fewer than a typical Chieftain model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Indian Chieftain?

Acceleration and speed control, with 1 complaint.

How many recalls does the 2018 Indian Chieftain have?

4 recalls, covering exterior lighting and electrical system.

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