2014 Indian Chieftain Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Chieftain years
- Not enough data 1st of 8 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Indian Chieftain. That is the most of any Chieftain model year in the database (8 years). The most reported problem area is power train (3 complaints, 50%), typically at around 12,900 miles. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 6owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2014 Indian Chieftain problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 | 50% | 12,900 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 33% | 20,900 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 17% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2014 Indian Chieftain recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:headlights; exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
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.
Power train:manual transmission; electrical system
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting
Problem: 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.
Risk: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:ignition; engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Problem: 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.
Risk: Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
While operating the motorcycle, it will randomly go into limp mode no matter what speed youâre 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…
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.
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, [redacted])…
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…
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
Other Indian Chieftain years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Chieftain | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 Chieftain | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 Chieftain | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 Chieftain | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 Chieftain | 2 | 3 |
| 2016 Chieftain | 1 | 4 |
| 2015 Chieftain | 2 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 | 4 |
See all Indian Chieftain problems by year, every Indian model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Indian models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Indian Chieftain?
Owners most often report power train, exterior lighting, electrical system problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 3 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Indian Chieftain?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2014 Indian Chieftain a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Chieftain model years, the 2014 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.