RecallRepo

2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 34,126 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 22V635000 2022-08-19 28,689 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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

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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18V228000 2018-04-10 3,341 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 17V682000 2017-10-27 2,096 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1
Total complaints3

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“While riding the motorcycle the windshield adjustment motor failed to raise the windshield from a lowered position to a raised position resulting in exposing my head to road hazards. The worm gear carrier that articulates the windshield is made of weak plastic.”

VISIBILITY/WIPER · reported 2021-07-25

“I am in cruise control 6th gear and it turns off and the bike is in neutral. I have to shift to 5th. The gear indicator is also slow to change to what gear I am in. I had the gear sensor replaced under a recall but it seems to be the cause of this.”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2021-06-27

“I have had this motorcycle for less than 1 year and the kickstand spring broke into two pieces. Luckily I was not riding when it happened because the kickstand will not stay up and if I was riding and made a left turn without knowing it was down I could have been thrown from the bike and killed”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2020-03-08
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.