2016 Indian Chieftain

Routine

Owners filed 1 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Lighting Control Module › Software22V635000
Filed Aug 19, 202228,689 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

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.

Risk. 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 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.

Electrical System19V776000
Filed Oct 29, 201952,745 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Electrical System › Ignition16V446000
Filed Jun 17, 201618,383 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

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.

Risk. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder15V721000
Filed Nov 2, 20157,614 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

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.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Oct 10, 20177,500 milesAL

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.

1 of 1 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20240200Routine
20230100Routine
20193300Routine
20181400Routine
20172300Routine
2016 — this page1400Routine
20152400Routine
20146400Routine

Compare every Chieftain year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 19, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.