NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Indian Chieftain Limited Recalls & Complaints

The 2018 Indian Chieftain Limited has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 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 2018 Indian Chieftain Limited. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2018 Indian Chieftain Limited owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Indian Chieftain Limited, describing incidents dated March 1, 2021 to September 3, 2022.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11482868 · Filed September 4, 2022
Loss of front lighting (headlight,Auxiliary lights). High Beam Indicator in dash blinking. Happened numerous times on trip. Would have been extremely dangerous in the dark. Being a motorcycle it makes it hard for other drivers to see me. The motorcycle is available for inspection and I will contact…
ODI #11412857 · Filed April 19, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN LIMITED MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS HE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN…

Read all 2 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.

Motorcycle may Start Unexpectedly

NHTSA #18V228000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported April 10, 2018 · Indian Motorcycle Company

Potentially affected: 3,341 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Indian campaign I-18-04 · Owners notified April 20, 2018 · Vehicles built October 25, 2016 – November 17, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 key fob is near the motorcycle and the required safety interlock conditions are met.

Safety consequence

If the motorcycle starts unintentionally and is parked in an enclosed space, exposure to carbon monoxide may increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Incorrect Headlight Installed/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #17V682000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported October 27, 2017 · Indian Motorcycle Company

Potentially affected: 2,096 vehicles

Repair completion: 76.57% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Indian campaign I-17-03 · Owners notified December 6, 2017 · Vehicles built April 5, 2017 – August 16, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety consequence

The light output from the incorrect headlight can affect the motorcycle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 I-17-03.

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 2018 Indian Chieftain Limited. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Indian Chieftain Limited.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11482868

Incident: September 3, 2022 · Filed: September 4, 2022

Loss of front lighting (headlight,Auxiliary lights). High Beam Indicator in dash blinking. Happened numerous times on trip. Would have been extremely dangerous in the dark. Being a motorcycle it makes it hard for other drivers to see me. The motorcycle is available for inspection and I will contact dealer on next day of business . Error codes open circuit high beam and open circuit low beam.

Electrical System

ODI #11412857

Incident: March 1, 2021 · Filed: April 19, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN LIMITED MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS HE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V882000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. ## VIN PASSED ## INDIAN MOTORCYCLE 2018 CHIEFTAN LIMITED ##

Other Indian Chieftain Limited model years

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