NHTSA vehicle safety data

2014 Indian Chieftain Recalls & Complaints

The 2014 Indian Chieftain has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 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 2014 Indian Chieftain. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2014 Indian Chieftain owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Indian Chieftain, describing incidents dated November 11, 2013 to June 7, 2024.

Most-cited components

Power Train 3 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11593130 · Filed June 7, 2024
While operating the motorcycle, it will randomly go into limp mode no matter what speed you’re at the motorcycle will rapidly decelerate extremely quickly and without warning. No brake light to illuminate when this happens. I have contacted INDIAN motorcycles as well as dealerships with absolutely…
ODI #11354908 · Filed September 14, 2020
CLUTCH CABLES APPEARS TO FAILING AT WHAT MAY BE CONSIDERED A HIGH RATE. LOSS OF CLUTCH COULD LEAD TO RIDER BEING UNABLE TO OPERATE THE MOTORCYCLE SAFELY. MY PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE IN UNAFFECTED BY THIS BUT I'M SEEING REPORTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES THAT IS IT IS OCCURRING AT A HIGH FREQUENCY.
ODI #11252951 · Filed September 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS AND HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY, THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO INDIAN MOTORCYCLE BOISE (2374 E CINEMA DR, #106, MERIDIAN, ID 83642, 208-887-3450)…

Read all 6 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.

Gear Position Display May Be Inaccurate

NHTSA #19V776000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported October 29, 2019 · Indian Motorcycle Company

Potentially affected: 52,745 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Indian campaign I-19-03 · Owners notified April 16, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Loss of Headlight Function

NHTSA #19V339000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported May 1, 2019 · Indian Motorcycle Company

Potentially affected: 6,487 vehicles

Indian campaign I-19-02 · Owners notified April 1, 2020 · Vehicles built August 20, 2012 – June 30, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014 Chief and Chieftain motorcycles. Due to a problem within the Vehicle Control Module (VCM), all of the front lights, including the headlight, may go out while riding.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

Indian will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) connector and update the VCM software. If the VCM connector is damaged, a new connector and VCM will be installed, free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-02. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-635.

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.

Engine Misfire may Increase Fire Risk

NHTSA #16V446000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 17, 2016 · Indian Motorcycle Company

Potentially affected: 18,383 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.61% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Indian campaign I-16-02 · Owners notified August 5, 2016 · Vehicles built April 15, 2013 – June 16, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures.

Safety consequence

Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-02.

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 2014 Indian Chieftain. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Indian Chieftain.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11593130

Incident: June 7, 2024 · Filed: June 7, 2024

While operating the motorcycle, it will randomly go into limp mode no matter what speed you’re at the motorcycle will rapidly decelerate extremely quickly and without warning. No brake light to illuminate when this happens. I have contacted INDIAN motorcycles as well as dealerships with absolutely no help whatsoever. This is extremely dangerous and can get me killed!!!!!

Power Train

ODI #11354908

Incident: September 1, 2015 · Filed: September 14, 2020

CLUTCH CABLES APPEARS TO FAILING AT WHAT MAY BE CONSIDERED A HIGH RATE. LOSS OF CLUTCH COULD LEAD TO RIDER BEING UNABLE TO OPERATE THE MOTORCYCLE SAFELY. MY PARTICULAR MOTORCYCLE IN UNAFFECTED BY THIS BUT I'M SEEING REPORTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES THAT IS IT IS OCCURRING AT A HIGH FREQUENCY.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11252951

Incident: July 21, 2019 · Filed: September 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS AND HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY, THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO INDIAN MOTORCYCLE BOISE (2374 E CINEMA DR, #106, MERIDIAN, ID 83642, 208-887-3450) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. A VIN SEARCH SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V339000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

Power Train

ODI #11120608

Incident: May 24, 2018 · Filed: August 17, 2018

GEAR INDICATOR DOES NOT ALWAYS SHOW CORRECT GEAR THAT YOU ARE IN. WHEN BIKE IS IN NEUTRAL INDICATOR IN SHOWING 2 ND GEAR. INDICATOR WAS SHOWING NEUTRAL SO I HIT THE STARTED SWITCH, IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR, DIDN'T HAVE MAY HANDS ON THE HANDLE BARS, BIKE STARTED AND TOOK OFF, ABOUT THREW ME OFF. READING THE FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT YET NO RECALL ON THIS

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11021332

Incident: August 31, 2017 · Filed: September 4, 2017

HEADLIGHT AND DRIVING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHILE RIDING, THIS IS NOT A BURNED-OUT BULB. THE VCM WIRING CIRCUIT IS BURNED ON PIN #11. I READ OF AT THREE OTHER INDIAN'S WITH THIS ISSUE, READ ON: HTTP://WWW.CHIEFMOTORCYCLEFORUM.COM/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=8205.30

Power Train

ODI #10650668

Incident: November 11, 2013 · Filed: October 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT PAST FIRST GEAR UNTIL THE SPEED DECREASED TO 5 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING TO SPECIFICATIONS AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE WARMED UP FOR TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.

Other Indian Chieftain model years

Check your 2014 Indian Chieftain VIN

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

Check an Indian VIN