Indian Chief Vintage problems & recalls

Problem: 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."

Risk: Incorrect wheel rim size information could lead to improperly mounted tires and result in a loss of motorcycle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Imc will mail owners information labels with instructions, free of charge. letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed july 15, 2026. owner notification letters are expected to be mailed july 7, 2026. owners may contact imc customer service at 877-204-3697. imc's number for this recall is i-26-01. vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on nhtsa.

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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."

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

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The cracked rim can lead to a flat rear tire, which could cause the rider to lose control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear rim, free of charge. indian mailed an interim letter to owners in september 2013. parts are now available. a second notice was sent to owners during april 2014. owners may contact indian at 1-888-704-5290.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The bcm turns off the headlight until the next time that the key is turned on. the unexpected loss of headlight function could impair a driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the bcm free of charge. the safety recall began on august 4, 2011. owners may contact polaris at 1-651-408-7579.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the stand does not fold rearward and upward while the motorcycle moves forward, the driver's ability to control the motorcycle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the side stand free of charge. the safety recall began on august 4, 2011. owners may contact indian at 651-408-7579.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This could cause a loss of visibility to the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a new bracket. owner notification is expected to begin during august 2003. owners should contact imc at 1-888-899-2997.

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the present of an ignition source can result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the current vent tube with a longer tube repositioned to prevent clogging. owner notification began may 13, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian motorcycle at 1-888-899-2997.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition could cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will remove the current engine guards and give the owners a $250 credit toward the purchase of parts and accessories for their motorcycles. redesigned engine guards will be provided in approximately 90 days. the removal and replacement of these guards will be performed without charge to the owners. owner notification began march 28, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorize