2019 Indian Chieftain Classic problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (1)
Safety recalls (1)
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.
Service bulletins (4)
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.
What owners report
2025-08-26 · Electrical System“the motorcycle will lose all power and completely shut down. this will happen when the battery voltage meter indicates full voltage. this happened multiple times on our 2022 trip and again on our 2023 trip despite having the issue diagnosed at a dealer. we were told that everything was fine and no issues noted and the battery is good. in 2024 t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.