NHTSA vehicle safety data
2019 Indian Chieftain Recalls & Complaints
The 2019 Indian Chieftain has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 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 2019 Indian Chieftain. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2019 Indian Chieftain owner complaints
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Indian Chieftain, describing incidents dated August 28, 2019 to May 22, 2021.
Most-cited components
- Engine 1 complaint
- Power Train 1 complaint
- Structure 1 complaint
Of the 3 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 3 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11418209 · Filed
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.
ODI #11354916 · Filed
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…
ODI #11257606 · Filed
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…
10A Circuit Breaker Can Trip Causing Stall
NHTSA #19V882000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice
Reported December 11, 2019 · Indian Motorcycle Company
Potentially affected: 5,474 vehicles
Repair completion: 88.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Indian campaign I-19-05 · Owners notified January 22, 2020 · Vehicles built February 12, 2019 – July 31, 2019 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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 at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-05.
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.
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 · Vehicles built August 20, 2012 – July 29, 2019 (per NHTSA)
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.
Tail Lights may be too Bright/FMVSS 108
NHTSA #19V638000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice
Reported August 29, 2019 · Indian Motorcycle Company
Potentially affected: 3,594 vehicles
Repair completion: 87.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Indian campaign I-19-04 · Owners notified September 18, 2019 · Vehicles built November 16, 2017 – July 26, 2019 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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 this recall is I-19-04.
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.
Other Indian Chieftain model years
Check your 2019 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