2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical375.0%
- Powertrain (other)125.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was almost killed when my gear indicator switch suddenly went from 6th gear to neutral, therefore disengaging the cruise control. This caused a sudden decrease in speed due to engine braking which almost resulted in me getting rear ended. I could hear tires chirping behind me but luckily, I was able to regain my speed. This issue happens without warning and I have previously tried to get this fixed 3 times. All they do for the "fix" is clean the switch. This only lasts for about 8k miles. This is the same switch that was previously recalled due to a potential startup in 2nd gear. It is still "oxidizing" as stated in the original recall. IMO, they have made the issue even worse where the issue now occurs at speed. It also causes the bike to indicate 2nd gear when you are indeed, in neutral. Indian knows about this and has come up with a fix for mid 2019 models and subsequent. The crankcase and gear shift part numbers were changed and the gear indicator switch is clearly different. But it is apparently, not retrofittable to 2014 through early 2019 bikes. This is gross misconduct, IMO, and Indian is knowingly putting riders at risk. I am including an Indian forum thread to show that I am not the only one with this problem, https://www.indianmotorcycles.net/threads/gear-indicator-issue.338723/ There are many more threads on this issue besides this one. Please investigate this matter. I don't think I should have to call Indian or let them call this a maintenance item I have to pay for every 8k miles. This amounts to twice a year for me. That is very excessive. It is also rewarding them for their defective part. The "maintenance" is not easy or cheap. Multiple parts have to come off the bike to even get to the switch. It also takes me two months to get an appointment at my dealer so it is not getting fixed promptly. Mine, and others, safety is at risk. Please help. Thanks - [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster Motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the cruise control erroneously deactivated causing the motorcycle to suddenly decelerate. During the failure another vehicle nearly crashed into the rear of the motorcycle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the failure started after the motorcycle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V776000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster Motorcycle. The contact stated that while riding 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the cruise control erroneously deactivated causing the motorcycle to suddenly decelerate. During the failure another vehicle nearly crashed into the rear of the motorcycle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the failure started after the motorcycle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V776000 (Electrical System, Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .