2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
The 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN 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 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (1 complaint), Power Train (1 complaint), and Structuremotorcyclekickstandcenter Stand (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN, potentially affecting up to 114,558 vehicles.
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 19V882000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
| 5,474 vehicles affected
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain, Vintage, Roadmaster, Dark Horse, Springfield, and FTR1200 motorcycles. A 10A circuit breaker may be defective, tripping unexpectedly and causing a sudden loss of power and an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners and provide a new 10A circuit breaker and installation instructions. Owners may choose to have the part installed at a dealership, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service...
View full details →Recall 19V638000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
| 3,594 vehicles affected
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain motorcycles. The tail lights may be too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Due to increased brightness, other drivers may have difficulties discerning the brake light from the tail light, and thus may be unaware that the motorcycle is braking, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module software to correct the rear tail light's intensity, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2019. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structuremotorcyclekickstandcenter Stand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Reference 19V-776 recall campaign 2014-2019 Indian Motorcycle (111 c.I.) gear position switch. This switch was replaced under this recall in June 2020 at 250 miles. The same issue now is happening one year later at 15k miles. This fix from Indian was not effective.
MULTIPLE TIME AFTER HAVING RECALL FOR 10A CIRCUIT BREAKER DONE BIKE HAS DIED ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEED AS IF OUT OF GAS ONCE I PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON BIKE ACTS FINE AS THOUGH NOTHING HAPPENED I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NORTH COUNT INDIAN WHER I BOUGHT IT AND SINCE THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO REPEAT THEY STATED FINE AND BLEW IT OFF BUT BIKE HAS DONE IT 3 TIMES SINCE I GOT IT BACK. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS MY LIFE IS IN DANGER ON THE FREEWAY IF THE BIKE CUTS OFF AND I CAN GET OFF I COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT INDIAN NEEDS TO FIX THIS ASAP!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. WHILE RIDING 40 MPH, THE KICKSTAND FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SLIGHT LEFT TURN, THE KICKSTAND DUG INTO THE ROADWAY. AS A RESULT, THE MOTORCYCLE FLIPPED AROUND 180 DEGREES, STRUCK TWO MAILBOXES, DROVE THROUGH BRANCHES ON A PINE TREE, AND BECAME ENTANGLED IN A TELEPHONE POLE. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE AND SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES ON THE RIGHT ELBOW AND CONTUSIONS ON THE LEG AND ELBOWS, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE AWAY FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO OFF ROAD EXPRESS (10320 WATTSBURG RD, ERIE, PA 16509, (814) 825-4747) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE AWAITING GUIDANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROCEED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,519.
Safety Rating for the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2019 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 — 4 complaints
- 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 1 complaint
- 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN (current)
- 2020 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 0 complaints
- 2021 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 0 complaints
- 2023 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 0 complaints
- 2024 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