2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE
The 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Indian Motorcycle Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (1 complaint), Unknown Or Other (1 complaint), and Visibilitywiper (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE, potentially affecting up to 62,815 vehicles.
Recall 22V635000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
| 28,689 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 22V635000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 28,689 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 18V228000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 3,341 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: If the motorcycle starts unintentionally and is parked in an enclosed space, exposure to carbon monoxide may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 17V682000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 2,096 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
While riding the motorcycle the windshield adjustment motor failed to raise the windshield from a lowered position to a raised position resulting in exposing my head to road hazards. The worm gear carrier that articulates the windshield is made of weak plastic.
I am in cruise control 6th gear and it turns off and the bike is in neutral. I have to shift to 5th. The gear indicator is also slow to change to what gear I am in. I had the gear sensor replaced under a recall but it seems to be the cause of this.
I HAVE HAD THIS MOTORCYCLE FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND THE KICKSTAND SPRING BROKE INTO TWO PIECES. LUCKILY I WAS NOT RIDING WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE KICKSTAND WILL NOT STAY UP AND IF I WAS RIDING AND MADE A LEFT TURN WITHOUT KNOWING IT WAS DOWN I COULD HAVE BEEN THROWN FROM THE BIKE AND KILLED
Safety Rating for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE
Indian Motorcycle Company has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
I-18-05 — EQUIPMENT
Indian Motorcycle has identified that some 2018 111 ci motorcycles have been manufactured with a clutch lever that does not meet quality standards. Affected clutch levers may cause an interference between the clutch cable and lever while cycling, potentially causing fatigue at the lever side of the cable.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE
- 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 0 complaints
- 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 0 complaints
- 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE (current)
- 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 6 complaints
- 2020 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 1 complaint
- 2022 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 0 complaints
- 2023 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 0 complaints
Other INDIAN Models
- INDIAN CHIEF — 98 total complaints
- INDIAN SCOUT — 65 total complaints
- INDIAN ROADMASTER — 33 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 19 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGE — 18 total complaints
- INDIAN SPIRIT — 15 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEF DARK HORSE — 13 total complaints
- INDIAN SCOUT BOBBER — 12 total complaints