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Indian Chief VintageYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on record for the Indian Chief Vintage.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints13Top: StructureSafety recalls112002–2026 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Indian Chief Vintage years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Chief Vintage median. Tap a year for its full report.

'02'03'09'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2026Too new–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2020Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2019Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2018Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls2017Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls2016Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls2015Not rated–/1004 complaints · 2 recalls2014Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls2009Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2003Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2002Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Indian Chief Vintage problems

All model years combined: 13 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure40
Fuel/propulsion system20
Engine20
Suspension11
Wheels11
Equipment10
Power train10
Steering11
11 recalls

Indian Chief Vintage recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

24%Other: labels26V-397 · 2026 · Jun 19, 2026 · 392 vehicles38%Exterior lighting: headlights22V-635 · 2015–2020 · Aug 19, 2022 · 28,689 vehicles97%Electrical system18V-228 · 2018 · Apr 10, 2018 · 3,341 vehicles77%Exterior lighting: headlights17V-682 · 2017–2018 · Oct 27, 2017 · 2,096 vehicles92%Foundation components: master cylinder15V-721 · 2015–2016 · Nov 2, 2015 · 7,614 vehicles38%Wheels: rim13V-391 · 2009 · Aug 30, 2013 · 861 vehicles–Motorcycle: kickstand/center stand11V-344 · 2009 · Jun 27, 2011 · 699 vehicles–Headlights: switch11V-343 · 2009 · Jun 27, 2011 · 699 vehicles–Exterior lighting: headlights03V-258 · 2003 · Jul 22, 2003 · 6,173 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline03V-173 · 2002–2003 · May 5, 2003 · 1,979 vehicles–Equipment03V-132 · 2003 · Apr 3, 2003 · 70 vehicles