RoadVitals

2018 Indian Chieftain 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.
3
Latest Jul 26, 2021
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 Aug 19, 2022
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 32 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

  • Powertrain (other)150.0%
  • Visibility150.0%

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
22V635000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Aug 19, 2022
28,689 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The 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 NHTSA recall number 19V-339.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number 1-19-02View on NHTSA.gov
18V228000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Apr 10, 2018
3,341 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the motorcycle starts unintentionally and is parked in an enclosed space, exposure to carbon monoxide may increase the risk of injury.
The 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-18-04View on NHTSA.gov
17V682000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Oct 27, 2017
2,096 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-17-03View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Jul 26, 2021

While riding the motorcycle the windshield adjustment motor failed to raise the windshield from a lowered position to a raised position resulting in exposing my head to road hazards. The worm gear carrier that articulates the windshield is made of weak plastic.

NHTSA ID
11426413
Incident
Jul 25, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 30, 2021

I am in cruise control 6th gear and it turns off and the bike is in neutral. I have to shift to 5th. The gear indicator is also slow to change to what gear I am in. I had the gear sensor replaced under a recall but it seems to be the cause of this.

NHTSA ID
11422889
Incident
Jun 27, 2021
Filed Mar 8, 2020

I HAVE HAD THIS MOTORCYCLE FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND THE KICKSTAND SPRING BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. LUCKILY I WAS NOT RIDING WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE KICKSTAND WILL NOT STAY UP AND IF I WAS RIDING AND MADE A LEFT TURN WITHOUT KNOWING IT WAS DOWN I COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND KILLED

NHTSA ID
11316833
Incident
Mar 8, 2020
Mileage
5,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

IND-02.12.2025

SERVICE BRAKES

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding brake inspection and maintenance regarding 2014+ Indian Chieftain motorcycles.

I-19-02-A/B/C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Indian Motorcycle has determined that an electrical defect may exist in 2014-2020 Heavyweight Air Cooled Indian Motorcycles, resulting in the unexpected loss of forward lighting. This defect may also cause heat damage to the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) and Pin 11 of the center VCM connector. Indian Motorcycle has released this bulletin with instructions to inspect the VCM connector for damage, update the VCM software, and replace the VCM and pin 11 connector if damaged.

I-22-03-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Indian Motorcycle identified that on Indian Scout Models there is a potential for damage to occur to electrical hardware or the vehicle harness if the battery ground cable and ground joint is not connected properly. Damage can occur during procedures that require the battery cable to be disconnected or during battery removal and installation.

IND-02-14-2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.

I-20-06 R02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 Full–Size (111 c.i. / 116 c.i.) and 2020 Challenger models sold in Japan show compliance concerns due to operating range frequency of key fob, Vehicle Control Module (VCM) or Wireless Control Module (WCM), and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). Mentioned devices operate in restricted in Japan frequency of 433Hhz.

IDH-HOLD

EQUIPMENT

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.

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 Chieftain Dark Horse by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024020—
2023010—
2022000—
2021000—
2020100—
2019310—
2018Viewing330—
2017020—
2016010—

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.