Model year record

2016 INDIAN Chieftain

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1 owner complaint on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V635000

Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software

Component
Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycle Company
Vehicles affected
28,689
Reported to NHTSA
2022-08-19
Owners notified
2022-09-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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 customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-02. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 19V-339.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V776000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycle Company
Vehicles affected
52,745
Reported to NHTSA
2019-10-29
Owners notified
2020-04-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V446000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycle Company
Vehicles affected
18,383
Reported to NHTSA
2016-06-17
Owners notified
2016-08-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V721000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
Indian Motorcycle Company
Vehicles affected
7,614
Reported to NHTSA
2015-11-02
Owners notified
2015-11-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system17,500 mi

The 2015 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2017 model has about a quarter as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.