2018 Indian Chieftain Limited problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (1) · Electrical System (1)
Safety recalls (3)
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 2018-04-10 · campaign 18V228000 · 3,341 vehicles
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 motorcy
Risk: If the motorcycle starts unintentionally and is parked in an enclosed space, exposure to carbon monoxide may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
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 (32)
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.
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.
Exterior Lighting 2022-08-29 · I-19-02-A/B/C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
indian motorcycle has determined that an electrical defect may exist in 2014-2020 heavyweight air cooled indian motorcycles, resulting in the unexpected loss of forward lighting. this defect may also cause heat damage to the vehicle control module (vcm) and pin 11 of the center vcm connector. ind
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 32 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-09-04 · Exterior Lighting“loss of front lighting (headlight,auxiliary lights). high beam indicator in dash blinking. happened numerous times on trip. would have been extremely dangerous in the dark. being a motorcycle it makes it hard for other drivers to see me. the motorcycle is available for inspection and i will contact dealer on next day of business . error codes open…”
2021-04-19 · Electrical System · 20,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2018 indian chieftain limited motorcycle. the contact stated that while riding approximately 70 mph, the motorcycle suddenly shut-off without warning. the contact stated that on two occasions he coasted to the shoulder and restarted the motorcycle. the motorcycle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. the manufacturer wa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.