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CarsLore / Makes / Indian / Chief Vintage

Indian Chief Vintage

Model years 2002–2026 in the US safety record. No model year stands out in owner complaints. Fewest complaints: 2016, 2017, 2018.

13owner complaints
11recall campaigns
170service bulletins
12model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’02’09’14’16’18’20’02’10’16’19

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
20260100 · 0
20200120 · 0
201901210 · 0
201813280 · 0
201712270 · 0
201612290 · 0
201542221 · 0
201460200 · 0
20100040 · 0
20090370 · 0
20030350 · 0
20020150 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Unknown or other4
  • Structure4
  • Fuel/propulsion system2
  • Engine2
  • Wheels1
  • Suspension1
  • Steering1
  • Power train1

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

EU safety alerts

Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Chief Vintage in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.

A12/1732/17 · Injuries8 Dec 2017 · Chief, Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Chief Vintage Springfield, Springfield Dark Horse, Chieftain

The motorcycle may have been assembled with incorrect headlights for the destination country. The headlights could consequently dazzle other road users causing a road accident.

Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0

Recalls

11 campaigns cover the Chief Vintage.

26V397000 · Equipment19 Jun 2026 · 2026

Indian Motorcycle Company LLC (IMC) is recalling certain 2026 Chief Vintage motorcycles. The VIN label states the incorrect rear rim width. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims - other than passenger cars."

22V635000 · Exterior lighting19 Aug 2022 · 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

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.

18V228000 · Electrical system10 Apr 2018 · 2018

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.

17V682000 · Exterior lighting27 Oct 2017 · 2017, 2018

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."

15V721000 · Service brakes, hydraulic2 Nov 2015 · 2015, 2016

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.

13V391000 · Wheels30 Aug 2013 · 2009

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2009 Deluxe and Standard, 2009-2011 Roadmaster, 2009-2013 Vintage, 2010 Bomber, 2010-2013 Classic and Dark Horse, 2011 Blackhawk Dark and Blackhawk motorcycles. The rear rim may crack and cause a loss of air pressure.

11V344000 · Structure27 Jun 2011 · 2009

POLARIS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 INDIAN MOTORCYCLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 123, "MOTORCYCLE CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THE SIDE STAND MAY NOT FOLD REARWARD AND UPWARD IF IT CONTACTS THE GROUND WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE IS MOVING FORWARD.

11V343000 · Exterior lighting27 Jun 2011 · 2009

POLARIS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 INDIAN MOTORCYCLES FOR THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) WHICH CAN CAUSE THE HEADLIGHT TO TURN OFF IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. IF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS SLOWLY MOVED FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER (HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM OR LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM), BOTH BEAMS MAY BE ON MOMENTARILY AND THE BCM INTERPRETS THIS AS AN OVERLOAD CONDITION.

03V258000 · Exterior lighting22 Jul 2003 · 2003

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BRACKET USED TO SUPPORT THE TEARDROP HEADLIGHT CAN CRACK, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO BREAK AND THE LIGHT TO SLIP OUT OF POSITION OR FALL OFF.

03V173000 · Fuel system, gasoline5 May 2003 · 2002, 2003

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO THE POSITIONING OF THE GAS TANK VENT TUBE, THE VENT TUBE CAN BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS, PARTICULARLY IN WET WEATHER. VENT TUBE CLOGGING CAN CAUSE INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO STOP. A CLOGGED VENT TUBE MAY ALSO CAUSE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE GAS TANK AND PUSH A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER CAP SEAL.

03V132000 · Equipment3 Apr 2003 · 2003

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY DESIGNED FRONT AND REAR ENGINE GUARDS, THE GUARDS DO NOT ALLOW SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE GROUND DURING ROUTINE CORNERING.

NHTSA recalls