RoadVitals

2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Feb 23, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 25, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2022 Indian Chief Dark Horse, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system240.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V293000

EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY

Apr 25, 2023
4 units potentially affected
The defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2022 Indian Chief Bobber, Indian Chief Dark Horse, and Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse motorcycles. These motorcycles may be missing a belt guard reflector. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: A missing belt guard reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-23-05.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-23-05View on NHTSA.gov
22V957000

STRUCTURE:MOTORCYCLE:KICKSTAND/CENTER STAND

Dec 29, 2022
4,653 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: A kickstand that does not properly retract can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-23-01View on NHTSA.gov
22V837000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Nov 11, 2022
7,812 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-22-06View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 2025

The unit stalls upon startup, within minutes of takeoff from a start (both cold and warm), and even occasionally while riding and decelerating. Unsolicited stalling of unit creates unpredictable riding conditions and immediate loss of power and control while riding. Independent shop notated that the unit stalled on them both before and after a service (oil and plugs). Dealer may not admit but I witnessed numerous times from two different dealers in which they started it up in the back of the shop and I heard it stall on them as they were bringing it out to me. I have video of the unit stalling immediately after startup. Two dealers claim to have inspected and looked over unit but have failed to find the issue. I've received a round about explanation that they are acutely aware of this issue but they don't know what's causing it or how to fix. The unit had other erroneous electrical issues that seemed to have been mostly rectified through software updates. There is a current recall for the '22 chief darkhorse regarding a fuel pump issue that may cause stalling under numerous conditions. They are claiming my unit was not part of this recall, despite it having the exact symptoms of that recall.

NHTSA ID
11644359
Incident
Sep 1, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 25, 2023

The bike in question has given multiple issues and safety concerns. I would ride and the bike would die. I would be in the middle of an intersection and the engine would die leaving me in the middle with no power. It would happen in parking lots and on the highway as well. It's been in the shop and had the recall completed in november/December. I was told that would solve the issue. It was dropped off at my house after that, and I still was getting the same issues. I was riding around and it still died on me. I almost was hit more than once while trying to turn through intersections. I was within inches of having other vehicles hit me. Polaris and Indian are not stepping up and solving the issue.

NHTSA ID
11518906
Incident
Apr 3, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

ISA-24-01

SUSPENSION

Indian Motorcycle found that some 2022 and 2023 Chief models can exhibit a noise in the front of the motorcycle when operating slowly on rough or bumpy road conditions. The sound can be difficult to properly diagnose as it may resemble a metallic clicking in the front headlight area. The sound is coming from the rebound check valve within the front suspension and occurs when switching between compression and rebound. To address this, Indian Motorcycle has released this Service Advisory with instructions to install a new fork service kit that has an updated rebound check valve to correct the noise. This Service Advisory replaces ISA-21-01.

2023-01-10.26.23

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE

Some RIDE COMMAND 7" displays may experience a blank screen, blackout, or the impression that it won't turn on, leading to display replacement.

I-22-09-01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Indian Motorcycles is releasing a guide to aid in misfire diagnosis on heavyweight air and liquid cooled motorcycles. This Team Tip provides additional details on the systems and components that may contribute to misfire or runabillity concern, along with how to repair them.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Indian Chief Dark Horse by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2022Viewing230—
2019010—
2018020—
2017020—
2016410—
2015010—
2014010—
2010000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.