NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 Indian Chief Vintage Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 Indian Chief Vintage has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Indian dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 Indian Chief Vintage. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2015 Indian Chief Vintage owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Indian Chief Vintage, describing incidents dated June 23, 2015 to September 6, 2016.

Most-cited components

Structure 2 complaints
Steering 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Of the 4 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10924890 · Filed November 7, 2016
ON TUESDAY SEPT 6, 2016 I WAS ON I 64 EAST HEADED TO WAYNESBORO VA FROM GEORGETOWN KY. A 407 MILE RIDE. ABOUT 320 MILES INTO TRIP MY RIGHT SIDE SADDLEBAG FELL OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE SHOULDER WAS TO STEEP FOR THE BIKE TO STAND ON ITS OWN. I FLAG HELP TOHELP WITH…
ODI #10905049 · Filed September 9, 2016
SADDLEBAG MOUNTING SYSTEM ALLOWS SADDLEBAGS TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AND FALL OFF VEHICLE. LATCH MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE INEFFECTIVE WHEN BAGS ARE LOADED, OR ROUGH ROADS ENCOUNTERED. RIGHT SIDE SADDLEBAG HAD COME LOOSE 3 TIMES OVER A 2 MONTH PERIOD. ON A LONG TRIP, WHILE TRAVELLING AT 70 MPH ON THE…
ODI #10881438 · Filed June 29, 2016
WHILE RIDING MY INDIAN 2015 VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE, THE RIGHT HAND SADDLE BAG FELL OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING ME TO SUDDENLY HAVE TO REACT TO THE HAZARD BY SWERVING BUT HIT THE BAG ANYWAY, CAUSING THE BAG TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND UNDER CARRIAGE CONCERNS FOR THE OTHER VEHICLE. AFTER DOING…

Read all 4 complaints

Electrical Failure May Cause Loss of Headlight

NHTSA #22V635000 · Exterior Lighting — Lighting Control Module — Software · NHTSA notice

Reported August 19, 2022 · Indian Motorcycle Company

Potentially affected: 28,689 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Indian campaign 1-19-02 · Owners notified September 27, 2022

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Loss of Rear Brakes

NHTSA #15V721000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported November 2, 2015 · Indian Motorcycle Company

Potentially affected: 7,614 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Indian campaign I-15-04 · Owners notified November 5, 2015 · Vehicles built January 2, 2015 – October 23, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and 2016 Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured January 2, 2015, to October 23, 2015. Due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, the motorcycles may have a reduction in, or a complete loss of, rear brake power.

Safety consequence

A full or partial loss of rear braking power may lengthen the distance needed to slow or stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake master cylinder piston assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2015. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-15-04.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2015 Indian Chief Vintage. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Indian Chief Vintage.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10924890

Incident: September 6, 2016 · Filed: November 7, 2016

ON TUESDAY SEPT 6, 2016 I WAS ON I 64 EAST HEADED TO WAYNESBORO VA FROM GEORGETOWN KY. A 407 MILE RIDE. ABOUT 320 MILES INTO TRIP MY RIGHT SIDE SADDLEBAG FELL OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE SHOULDER WAS TO STEEP FOR THE BIKE TO STAND ON ITS OWN. I FLAG HELP TOHELP WITH BIKE. CARS AND TRACTOR TRAILERS WERE DODGING THE SADDLEBAG. AFTER I GOT HELP HOLDING UP BIKE. I HAD TO RUN BACK DOWN HILL AND GO OUT INTO TRAFFIC TO RETRIEVE MY SADDLEBAG. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN I GOT MY BAG SAFELY, I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE LATCHING MECHANISM WAS BROKE. BUT EVERYTHING WAS INTACT. THE BAG WASCRATCED UP PRETTY BAD. THE LEATHER CHEWED UP BUT EVERYTHING INSIDE WAS OK. I WENT BACK TO BIKE AND LATCHED IT BACK ON SIDE OF BIKE. AND CONTINUED MY TRIP BUT WAS PARANOID THE WHOLE TIME. POLARIS SAID IF BAGS ARE ATTACHED PROPERLY THEY CANT COME OFF BUT I KNOW THEY WILL. AFTER MARKET KITS ARE MADE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY WONT REPLACE OR REPAIR MY BAG AS THEY SAY ITS MY FAULT. I KNOW HOW TO INSTALL THE BAGS. IF THEY HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY PUT ON THEY WOULDNT HAVE RODE 320 MILES ON BUMPY I64. I HAD THIS BIKE FOR A YEAR BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I DONT BELIEVE POLARIS WANTS THE EXSPENSE OF RECALLING AND FIXING A PROBLEM THAT YHEY KNOW YHEY HAVE WITH THIS LOCKING LATCH MECHANISM. THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE INDIAN DEALER RECOMMENDED BUYING AN AFTER MARKET KIT TO BETTER SECURE THE BAGS. THIS MAKES NO SENSE IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE LATCHES. I KNOW THERES OTHER INCIDENCES OTHER THAN MINE. POLARIS HAS REPLACED BAGS IN OTHER INCIDENCES. PEOPLE WHO RIDE MOTORCYCLES HAVE TO BE VERY ALERT TO OBJECTS AND DEBRIS AND ANIMALS ON ROADWAY AS IT IS. DONT NEED THE WORRY AND DANGER OF BAGS FLYING OFF FOR NO GOOD REASON. I THINK POLARIS SHOULD RECALL AND INSTALL KITS TO MAKE SADDLEBSGS SAFE FOR TRAVELERS.

Structure

ODI #10905049

Incident: June 22, 2016 · Filed: September 9, 2016

SADDLEBAG MOUNTING SYSTEM ALLOWS SADDLEBAGS TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AND FALL OFF VEHICLE. LATCH MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE INEFFECTIVE WHEN BAGS ARE LOADED, OR ROUGH ROADS ENCOUNTERED. RIGHT SIDE SADDLEBAG HAD COME LOOSE 3 TIMES OVER A 2 MONTH PERIOD. ON A LONG TRIP, WHILE TRAVELLING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT SADDLEBAG FELL COMPLETELY OFF THE MOTORCYCLE, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, ENDANGERING OTHER MOTORCYCLISTS AND HIGHWAY USERS BEHIND ME ON THE INTERSTATE. INTERNET SEARCHES FOLLOWING, INDICATE THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE, WITH MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SADDLEBAGS FALLING OFF. AT LEAST TWO COMPANIES NOW MAKE AFTERMARKET ATTACHMENT SPOOLS TO PREVENT THIS, INDICATING THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT A NEED FOR AFTERMARKET SOLUTIONS TO THE STOCK SADDLEBAG MOUNTING SYSTEM.

Structure

ODI #10881438

Incident: September 20, 2015 · Filed: June 29, 2016

WHILE RIDING MY INDIAN 2015 VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE, THE RIGHT HAND SADDLE BAG FELL OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING ME TO SUDDENLY HAVE TO REACT TO THE HAZARD BY SWERVING BUT HIT THE BAG ANYWAY, CAUSING THE BAG TO BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND UNDER CARRIAGE CONCERNS FOR THE OTHER VEHICLE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THIS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG THIS MODEL. 2014 -2016 MODELS ARE ALL THE SAME, NO IMPROVEMENTS OFFERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE PROBLEM IS COMMON ENOUGH THAT SEVERAL AFTERMARKET COMPANIES HAVE DESIGNED A BETTER DESIGN THAT CAN BE PURCHASED FOR ABOUT $100.00 PER SIDE. THE FACTORY DESIGN IS WEAK AND PRONE TO CAUSE THE BAG TO ONLY BE PARTIALLY ATTACHED. HUNDREDS OF OWNERS HAVE HAD THE BAGS FALL OFF AND ESPECIALLY IF A MOTORCYCLE IS FOLLOWING IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLE DEADLY. THIS HAPPENED ON ROUTE 19 NORTH, APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES NORTH OF FAYETTEVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA. A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS TRAVELLING 65 MPH.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #10846296

Crash

Incident: June 23, 2015 · Filed: March 13, 2016

WHEN IN A ACCIDENT THE FRONT OF THE FRAME BREAKS OUT. THIS CAUSES THE FRONT END TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. LEAVING THE RIDER WITH NO CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE. AND EXPOSURE TO BODY INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH. IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE LOCATED 6 BIKES THAT HAVE HAD THE ABOVE PROBLEM. I HAVE THE VIN # OF 4 OF THEN. INDIAN HAS CHANGED THE PART NUMBER ON THE FRAME SECTION, SO THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER, THEY HAVE NOT MADE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED AND ASKED ABOUT THE CHANGE TO THE PART. THEY CLAIMED THE NEW PART WAS STRONGER. AND GAVE ME A CASE # AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME. 2 WEEKS LATER . THEY DID NOT.

Other Indian Chief Vintage model years

Check your 2015 Indian Chief Vintage VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Indian Chief Vintage at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check an Indian VIN