2014 Indian Chieftain problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (3) · Exterior Lighting (2) · Vehicle Speed Control (1)
Safety recalls (4)
Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software 2022-08-19 · campaign 22V635000 · 28,689 vehicles
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.
Risk: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System 2019-10-29 · campaign 19V776000 · 52,745 vehicles
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.
Risk: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting 2019-05-01 · campaign 19V339000 · 6,487 vehicles
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.
Risk: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:ignition 2016-06-17 · campaign 16V446000 · 18,383 vehicles
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures.
Risk: Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
Fix: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-02.
Service bulletins (30)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2025-03-12 · IND-03.11.2025-2 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article contains information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on 2014+ chieftain motorcycles.
Electrical System 2025-03-12 · IND-03.11.2025-1 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding removal and installation of the battery on 2014+ chieftain motorcycles.
Power Train 2025-03-05 · IND-03.04.2025 · Other
this indian motorycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on 2014+ chieftain motorcycles.
Service Brakes 2025-02-13 · IND-02.12.2025 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding brake inspection and maintenance regarding 2014+ indian chieftain motorcycles.
Power Train 2023-04-10 · IND-04.10.23 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this communication provides information regarding the inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on my2014+ indian chieftain vehicles.
Power Train 2023-04-06 · IND-04.06.2023-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this communication provides information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on my2014+ indian chieftain vehicles.
Showing the 6 most recent of 30 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-06-07 · Vehicle Speed Control“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…”
2020-09-14 · Power Train“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.…”
2019-09-03 · Exterior Lighting · 24,000 mi“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 include…”
2018-08-17 · Power Train · 24,000 mi“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 …”
2017-09-04 · Exterior Lighting · 17,800 mi“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…”
2014-10-28 · Power Train · 1,800 mi“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 re…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.