2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1
Owner Complaint
4
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
The 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN has received a total of 1 safety complaint filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Indian Motorcycle Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problem area is the Electrical System (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN, potentially affecting up to 207,248 vehicles.
Recall 22V635000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
| 28,689 vehicles 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 Module (VCM) may fail, causing a loss of the front lights, including the headlight.
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...
View full details →Recall 22V635000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 28,689 vehicles 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 Module (VCM) may fail, causing a loss of the front lights, including the headlight.
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...
View full details →Recall 19V776000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 52,745 vehicles affected
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Chief, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and Springfield motorcycles. The gear position switch contacts may oxidize, causing the gear position display to inaccurately show that the motorcycle is in neutral when it is actually in gear.
Consequence: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the switch free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-03.
View full details →Recall 19V776000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
| 52,745 vehicles affected
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Chief, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and Springfield motorcycles. The gear position switch contacts may oxidize, causing the gear position display to inaccurately show that the motorcycle is in neutral when it is actually in gear.
Consequence: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the switch free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-03.
View full details →Recall 16V446000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 18,383 vehicles affected
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures.
Consequence: Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-02.
View full details →Recall 16V446000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
| 18,383 vehicles affected
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures.
Consequence: Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-02.
View full details →Recall 15V721000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 7,614 vehicles affected
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and 2016 Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured January 2, 2015, to October 23, 2015. Due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, the motorcycles may have a reduction in, or a complete loss of, rear brake power.
Consequence: A full or partial loss of rear braking power may lengthen the distance needed to slow or stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake master cylinder piston assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2015. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-15-04.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
1 complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
MY 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN THAT HAS @7500 MILES DISPLAY FLICKERS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE THROTTLE IS OPERATED IN ALL CONDITIONS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT NUMEROUS CHIEFTAINS WERE IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME REASON. IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE SEPTEMBER 29TH.
Safety Rating for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
Indian Motorcycle Company has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
I-16-03-01 — EQUIPMENT
Indian Motorcycle has implemented an updated, maintenance-free fuel pump assembly for all full size Indian motorcycles produced from November 11, 2015. The updated fuel pump is a direct replacement for the previous version and does not affect fuel pump removal or installation procedures.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the INDIAN CHIEFTAIN
- 2014 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 8 complaints
- 2015 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 2 complaints
- 2016 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN (current)
- 2017 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 4 complaints
- 2018 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 1 complaint
- 2019 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 3 complaints
- 2020 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 0 complaints
- 2021 INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 0 complaints
Other INDIAN Models
- INDIAN CHIEF — 98 total complaints
- INDIAN SCOUT — 65 total complaints
- INDIAN ROADMASTER — 33 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGE — 18 total complaints
- INDIAN SPIRIT — 15 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEF DARK HORSE — 13 total complaints
- INDIAN SCOUT BOBBER — 12 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 10 total complaints