2020 Indian Challenger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (1) · Service Brakes (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2024-02-02 · campaign 24V069000 · 11,648 vehicles
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Challenger, Challenger Dark Horse, Challenger Limited, 2022 Challenger Dark Horse Icon, Challenger Elite, FTR 1200, FTR 1200 Rally, FTR 1200 S, FTR 1200 R Carbon, Pursuit Dark Horse, Challenger JD Limited Edition, Pursuit Limited Icon, Pursuit Dark Horse Premium, Pursuit Limited, Pursuit Limited Premium, 2019-2020 FTR 1200 S, FTR 1200, and 2020 FTR 1200 Rally motorcycles. The brake lights may illuminate unexpectedly and without b
Risk: Unintended illumination of the brake lights may create confusion for the drivers following the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ABS module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 1, 2024. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-24-03.
Engine 2020-03-25 · campaign 20V182000 · 616 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2020 Challenger motorcycles. The engine output shaft bearing may not have been sufficiently lubricated during assembly, possibly resulting in bearing failure at very low mileage.
Risk: Engine output shaft bearing failure could cause a sudden loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will lubricate the output shaft bearings on motorcycles with less than 50 miles on the odometer, free of charge. Motorcycles with greater than 50 miles will not require a repair, and can either be inspected by a dealer, or the owner can self-report the odometer reading directly to Indian. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-20-02. Note: Owners with an odomete
Service bulletins (61)
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.
Wheels 2025-10-02 · IND-10.2.2025 · Other
this ask polaris article provides information regarding troubleshooting steps for concerns related to front wheel shake or wobble during deceleration on model year 2020-2025 indian challenger / pursuit motorcycles.
Electrical System 2025-07-29 · IND-07.28.2025 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides details regarding removal and replacement of the battery on model year 2020 + indian challenger motorcycles.
Engine 2025-05-31 · I-22-09-01 (R02) · Service Campaign
indian motorcycles is releasing a guide to aid in misfire diagnosis on heavyweight air and liquid cooled motorcycles. this team tip provides additional details on the systems and components that may contribute to misfire or runabillity concern, along with how to repair them.
Suspension 2025-03-27 · IND-03.27.2025 · Other
this ask polaris article provides information for dealer technicians information regarding troubleshooting and resolving concerns related to 2020-2025 indian challenger and pursuit motorcycles experiencing a front wheel shake or wobble during deceleration.
Electrical System 2025-03-26 · I-24-08_R04 · Service Campaign
indian motorcycle has determined that model year 2020-2024 challenger, 2022-2024 pursuit and 2024 chief motorcycles may encounter a scenario in which the vehicle control module (vcm) or wireless control module (wcm) may not fully power off, resulting in unnecessary current draw from the battery. to
Power Train 2025-03-01 · IND-2.28.2025-4 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding belt inspection and tension adjustment on model year 2020+ indian challenger motorcycles.
Showing the 6 most recent of 61 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-11-01 · Steering“the motorcycle has a terrible wobble at various speeds and can be felt in the handle bars when lightly holding on. but if you let go to adjust something the bars shake back and forth at a rapid speed and is very scary. i have had polaris engineers and the local indian dealership try to fix the issue with various suggestions with no effect to make …”
2020-08-10 · Service Brakes · 50 mi“i picked up my brand new 2020 indian motorcycle on july 2, 2020 and brought it home. later that night i took a ride and i was on the belt parkway w/b when i felt something fall near my left foot. then something else fell near my left foot. i got off at exit 14 to inspect the motorcycle and discovered that i had no rear brakes, and i could smell bu…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.