RoadVitals

2014 Indian Chieftain

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.
6
Latest Jun 7, 2024
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.
4
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Indian Chieftain, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), exterior lighting and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 30 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)337.5%
  • Exterior lighting225.0%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Engine112.5%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
19V776000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Oct 29, 2019
52,745 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-19-03View on NHTSA.gov
19V339000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 1, 2019
6,487 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The 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 NHTSA recall number 22V-635.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-19-02View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 7, 2024

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!!!!!

NHTSA ID
11593130
Incident
Jun 7, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11354908
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 3, 2019

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V339000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ID
11252951
Incident
Jul 21, 2019
Mileage
24,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 17, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11120608
Incident
May 24, 2018
Mileage
24,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 4, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
11021332
Incident
Aug 31, 2017
Mileage
17,800 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 28, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID
10650668
Incident
Nov 11, 2013
Mileage
1,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

IND-03.11.2025-1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding removal and installation of the battery on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.

IND-03.11.2025-2

POWER TRAIN

This Indian Motorcycle help center article contains information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.

IND-03.04.2025

POWER TRAIN

This Indian Motorycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.

IND-02.12.2025

SERVICE BRAKES

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

IND-04.10.23

POWER TRAIN

This communication provides information regarding the inspection and tension adjustment of the Drive Belt on MY2014+ Indian Chieftain vehicles.

IND-04.06.2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This article contains information regarding battery removal and installation on MY2014+ Indian Chieftain vehicles.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024020—
2023010—
2022000—
2021000—
2020000—
2019330—
2018140—
2017230—
2016140—
2015240—
2014Viewing640—
2013000—

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.