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2009 Indian Chief Roadmaster Recalls & Complaints

3

open safety recalls on record

Serious

2 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 6.00 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Serious13V391000

Wheels:Rim

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

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Serious11V344000

Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand

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, raises the risk of A CRASH.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Serious11V343000

Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch

THE BCM TURNS OFF THE HEADLIGHT UNTIL THE NEXT TIME THAT THE KEY IS TURNED ON.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Complaint volume

2 this model-year 10 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

2Crashes
0Fires
2Injuries
0Deaths

Across 2 complaints. Severity Index 6.00.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Structure1 · 50%Steering1 · 50%
  1. Structure — 1 reports
  2. Steering — 1 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2009 · 2019

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.