RoadVitals

2018 Indian Roadmaster

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
+1 complaint in 30 days
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.
2
Latest Oct 29, 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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Indian Roadmaster, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, steering and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 31 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

  • Other / unspecified133.3%
  • Steering133.3%
  • Tires & wheels133.3%

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

2 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
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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Indian Roadster equipped with Metzeler Tires, Tire Line: CruiseTec, Tire Size: 180/60/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while riding 75 MPH, the rear wheel was vibrating abnormally due to tread separation. The contact safely pulled over to the shoulder and had the motorcycle towed to a dealer. The dealer confirmed the tread separation and informed the contact that there was a crack on the front tire. The dealer recommended that both tires be replaced. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified and was coordinating with the tire manufacturer regarding the potential tire replacements. The failure mileage was 6,941.

NHTSA ID
11751059
Incident
Jul 11, 2026
Mileage
6,941 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Oct 2, 2021

I went to the Indian motorsports to Purchase a new Indian roadmaster a 2021,and Rickthe sales person put me on a 2018 and I thought since it had only 9686 mile that it would be ok, he told me that it was up for its 10000 mile service to bring it in at that time and I did so now I have the bike back and two days later I noticed the fork seal leaking I take it back and they call themselves fixing the problem but the problem was in the steering it would not ride straight Handlebars was bent also so I'm going down the road with the tire going oneway and handlebars going another way and they were supposed to have fixed that problem now I'm in the grapevine with the treads on the tires breaking loose and the handlebars all bent And the clutch slipping If not knowing if the bike was gonna put me down or not I brings it back to them they and they exhausted leaking killing me needless to say I already have a heart problem, now The exhaust film is going to my heart and to my head giving me headaches there is a lot more to say, the bottom line is now they are saying they can put me on a new bike if I come up with more money Which I feel that I shouldn't have to do they just need to put me on another bike a new bike the one I came in for at first I had the money then! I have one picture that they took after service the bike but a few when I first got it that I had taken.

NHTSA ID
11435230
Incident
Aug 31, 2021

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

I-20-06 R01

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.

I-20-12-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

This Team Tip has been released by Indian Motorcycle to provide information regarding odometer maintenance and address concerns about correct odometer value.

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 Roadmaster by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024020—
2023010—
2022200—
2021100—
2020000—
2019020—
2018Viewing220—
2017930—
2016450—
2015350—
2014030—
2011030—
2010030—

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.