RoadVitals

2019 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.
3
Latest May 23, 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 Dec 11, 2019
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Indian Chieftain, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 3 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

  • Body & structure133.3%
  • Engine133.3%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%

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
19V882000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Dec 11, 2019
5,474 units potentially affected
The defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain, Vintage, Roadmaster, Dark Horse, Springfield, and FTR1200 motorcycles. A 10A circuit breaker may be defective, tripping unexpectedly and causing a sudden loss of power and an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Indian will notify owners and provide a new 10A circuit breaker and installation instructions. Owners may choose to have the part installed at a dealership, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-05.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-19-05View 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
19V638000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Aug 29, 2019
3,594 units potentially affected
The defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain motorcycles. The tail lights may be too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed. 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: Due to increased brightness, other drivers may have difficulties discerning the brake light from the tail light, and thus may be unaware that the motorcycle is braking, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module software to correct the rear tail light's intensity, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2019. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-04.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-19-04View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Powertrain (other)
Filed May 23, 2021

Reference 19V-776 recall campaign 2014-2019 Indian Motorcycle (111 c.I.) gear position switch. This switch was replaced under this recall in June 2020 at 250 miles. The same issue now is happening one year later at 15k miles. This fix from Indian was not effective.

NHTSA ID
11418209
Incident
May 22, 2021
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2020

MULTIPLE TIME AFTER HAVING RECALL FOR 10A CIRCUIT BREAKER DONE BIKE HAS DIED ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEED AS IF OUT OF GAS ONCE I PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON BIKE ACTS FINE AS THOUGH NOTHING HAPPENED I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NORTH COUNT INDIAN WHER I BOUGHT IT AND SINCE THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO REPEAT THEY STATED FINE AND BLEW IT OFF BUT BIKE HAS DONE IT 3 TIMES SINCE I GOT IT BACK. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS MY LIFE IS IN DANGER ON THE FREEWAY IF THE BIKE CUTS OFF AND I CAN GET OFF I COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT INDIAN NEEDS TO FIX THIS ASAP!

NHTSA ID
11354916
Incident
Sep 13, 2020
Mileage
17,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 24, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. WHILE RIDING 40 MPH, THE KICKSTAND FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT LEFT TURN, THE KICKSTAND DUG INTO THE ROADWAY. AS A RESULT, THE MOTORCYCLE FLIPPED AROUND 180 DEGREES, STRUCK TWO MAILBOXES, DROVE THROUGH BRANCHES ON A PINE TREE, AND BECAME ENTANGLED IN A TELEPHONE POLE. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES ON THE RIGHT ELBOW AND CONTUSIONS ON THE LEG AND ELBOWS, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE AWAY FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO OFF ROAD EXPRESS (10320 WATTSBURG RD, ERIE, PA 16509, (814) 825-4747) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE AWAITING GUIDANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROCEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,519.

NHTSA ID
11257606
Incident
Aug 28, 2019
Mileage
6,519 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.

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.

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—
2019Viewing330—
2018140—
2017230—
2016140—
2015240—
2014640—
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.