2017 Indian Chief problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (1) · Power Train (1)
Safety recalls (2)
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:headlights 2017-10-27 · campaign 17V682000 · 2,096 vehicles
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, Refl
Risk: The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (28)
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.
Exterior Lighting 2023-03-13 · IND-03.13.2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this communication provides guidance on how to properly change the headlamp bulb on indian springfield, indian vintage, or my2020 and older indian chief motorycles.
Electrical System 2022-03-22 · I-22-03-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2022-02-14 · IND-02-14-2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. the version has been translated into french.
Electrical System 2021-03-25 · I-20-06 R02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
indian motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 fullâsize (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)
Equipment 2021-03-15 · IDH-HOLD · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
effective immediately: stop sale on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
Electrical System 2021-03-09 · I-20-06 R01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
indian motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 fullâsize (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)
Showing the 6 most recent of 28 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-02-24 · Power Train · 12,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2017 indian chief. the contact stated that after the motorcycle was started and with the transmission in neutral, the motorcycle spontaneously accelerated and struck a side of the house. there was no police report filed. no injuries were reported. the motorcycle was taken to american biker located at 679 treeland dr, ladson, …”
2019-04-02 · Service Brakes · 37,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2017 indian chief motorcycle. when decelerating, the motorcycle would vibrate violently. there were no warning indicators illuminated. indian motorcycle of marietta and slingshot of marietta (1750 cobb pkwy se, marietta, ga 30060, (770) 956-9577) diagnosed that the front brake rotors needed to be repaired. the vehicle was not…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.