Recall 19V638 affects 3,594 2019 Indian Chieftain motorcycles for overly bright tail lights. Software repair is free at any franchised Indian dealer.
Indian is recalling 3,594 2019 Chieftain motorcycles because the tail lights are too bright and exceed the federal light output limit. That makes it harder for other drivers to tell when the motorcycle is braking, which increases crash risk; Indian dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The rear lighting on the 2019 Indian Chieftain combines the tail light, brake light, and turn signal functions in one updated lamp setup. The tail light is supposed to make the motorcycle visible from behind without overpowering the brake light or signal functions. It has to stay within the light-output limit set for rear lamps.
On affected Chieftain motorcycles, the engine control module has a setting that controls tail light intensity. That parameter was set too high, so the tail lights exceed the maximum light output allowed under FMVSS 108. The lamp still works, but it works outside the required range because the control setting sends too much brightness to the tail light function.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not expected to hear, feel, or see a separate symptom before the lighting issue is present.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Indian Chieftain | Tail lights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3,594 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Indian Chieftain motorcycle is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
The rear tail light can appear too bright, making it harder for following drivers to tell when the motorcycle is braking. That confusion increases crash risk in traffic. Use extra space when slowing, signal early when practical, and schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Indian dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Indian Chieftain is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Indian dealer to schedule the free engine control module software update that corrects the overly bright tail light.
- Ask the dealer to reference recall number 19V638 and Indian recall I-19-04 when you schedule the repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Indian mailed one, or give the dealer your VIN when you arrive.
- Ride cautiously until the software update is complete. Leave extra following distance so drivers behind you have more time to react when you brake.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Indian technician updates the engine control module software so the rear tail light operates at the correct intensity. The software update and labor are free under the recall, and the remedy has been open since September 18, 2019. If you paid for this same repair before receiving the owner letter, Indian directs owners to contact the Polaris Consumer Service Department at 1-877-204-3697 to request reimbursement review. Keep any repair invoice or payment documentation for that call.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 29, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 3, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| September 3, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 13, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 18, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V638?
Recall 19V638 covers 3,594 2019 Indian Chieftain motorcycles whose tail lights exceed the maximum light output allowed under FMVSS 108. The brighter tail light can make it harder for other drivers to tell when the motorcycle is braking, increasing crash risk. Indian dealers update the engine control module software for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Indian Chieftain is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 19V638. If it is, call a franchised Indian dealer to schedule the engine control module software update. Reference recall 19V638 or Indian recall I-19-04 when you schedule service. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Indian will update the engine control module software free of charge at any franchised Indian dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the tail light is too bright, which can make the brake light harder for other drivers to distinguish. If a driver behind the motorcycle does not recognize braking, crash risk increases. This risk is tied to recall 19V638.
When did Indian start the recall repair?
Indian began the recall repair on September 18, 2019. Owners can contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697 or call a franchised Indian dealer and reference recall 19V638 or Indian recall I-19-04.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V638000 |
|---|---|
| Indian customer service | 1-877-204-3697 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V638 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V638000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →