AI Damage2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 2 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 100% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (100% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was almost killed when my gear indicator switch suddenly went from 6th gear to neutral, therefore disengaging the cruise control. This caused a sudden decrease in speed due to engine braking which almost resulted in me getting rear ended.
During the failure another vehicle nearly crashed into the rear of the motorcycle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the failure started after the motorcycle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V776000 (Electrical System, Power Train).
The gear position sensor will go from 6th gear to neutral causing you to either drop out of cruise control (if engaged) or a momentary loss of power, if the cruise is not engaged. This can create a dangerous condition due to a sudden decrease in speed, if anybody is behind you.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 17,150 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Chief Roadmaster has 2 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 3, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Indian Motorcycle identified that on Indian Scout Models there is a potential for damage to occur to…
Indian Motorcycle identified that on Indian Scout Models there is a potential for damage to occur to electrical hardware or the vehicle harness if the battery ground cable and ground joint is not connected properly…
- Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and…
Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster?
NHTSA lists 2 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Indian Chief Roadmaster from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.