2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
The 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Indian Motorcycle Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (1 complaint), Exterior Lighting (1 complaint), and Power Train (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN, potentially affecting up to 164,964 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 19V776000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 52,745 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 19V776000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
| 52,745 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Indian Chieftain Motorcycle. The contact stated while riding the motorcycle at an undisclosed speed, the high beam indicator warning light illuminated. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that an appointment was scheduled. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V635000 (Exterior Lighting) in November 2022; however, the recall repair was not completed at the time. The contact stated that the motorcycle was only inspected for failure at the time. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,660.
I'VE RECEIVED EMAILS FROM POLARIS INDICATING ACTIVE A RECALL BUT DO NOT SEE THE RECALL ON YOUR SITE WHEN SEARCHING BY VIN.
I'VE RECEIVED EMAILS FROM POLARIS INDICATING ACTIVE A RECALL BUT DO NOT SEE THE RECALL ON YOUR SITE WHEN SEARCHING BY VIN.
I'VE RECEIVED EMAILS FROM POLARIS INDICATING ACTIVE A RECALL BUT DO NOT SEE THE RECALL ON YOUR SITE WHEN SEARCHING BY VIN.
Safety Rating for the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
Indian Motorcycle Company has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
IND-03.11.2025-1 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding removal and installation of the battery on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.
I-18-11-03 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:GEARS
This Team Tip is designed to inform dealers about updated information regarding gear position switches for all 2014- 2019 Indian Motorcycle (111 c. i.) models. Updated information has been added to the Service Manual to provide dealers with clear direction on how to properly maintain and service gear position switches....
NHTSA Investigations for the 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
- 2014 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 8 complaints
- 2015 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 2 complaints
- 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 1 complaint
- 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN (current)
- 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 1 complaint
- 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 3 complaints
- 2020 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 0 complaints
- 2021 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 0 complaints
Other INDIAN Models
- INDIAN CHIEF — 98 total complaints
- INDIAN SCOUT — 65 total complaints
- INDIAN ROADMASTER — 33 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
- INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 10 total complaints