2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (1) · Power Train (1) · Exterior Lighting:headlights (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Gasoline 2016-12-06 · campaign 16V877000 · 23,761 vehicles
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Vintage, Chieftan, Chieftan Dark Horse, Springfield and Roadmaster motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to July 15, 2016. In the affected motorcycles, the fuel rail may contact other components and result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket that will limit movement of the fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-03.
Service bulletins (26)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2022-03-22 · I-22-03-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
indian motorcycle identified that on indian scout models there is a potential for damage to occur to electrical hardware or the vehicle harness if the battery ground cable and ground joint is not connected properly. damage can occur during procedures that require the battery cable to be disconnected
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2022-02-14 · IND-02-14-2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. the version has been translated into french.
Electrical System 2021-03-25 · I-20-06 R02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
indian motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 fullâsize (111 c.i. / 116 c.i.) and 2020 challenger models sold in japan show compliance concerns due to operating range frequency of key fob, vehicle control module (vcm) or wireless control module (wcm), and tire pressure monitor system (tpms)
Equipment 2021-03-15 · IDH-HOLD · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
effective immediately: stop sale on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
Electrical System 2021-03-09 · I-20-06 R01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
indian motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 fullâsize (111 c.i. / 116 c.i.) and 2020 challenger models sold in japan show compliance concerns due to operating range frequency of key fob, vehicle control module (vcm) or wireless control module (wcm), and tire pressure monitor system (tpms)
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-12-18 · I-20-12-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this team tip has been released by indian motorcycle to provide information regarding odometer maintenance and address concerns about correct odometer value.
Showing the 6 most recent of 26 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-07-14 · Electrical System“this vehicle has an issue with the gear position switch, which causes the wrong gear to display on the info screen intermittently. sometimes at highway speed, with cruise control engaged, the bike will think it's in neutral, which cancels the cruise abruptly. the bike has been in for service for this issue many times, including a recall, but the is…”
2022-05-23 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 38,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 indian motorcycle chief dark horse. the contact stated while riding approximately 55-60 mph on a rainy night, the motorcycle headlight turned off inadvertently. the high beam indicator warning light illuminated. the contact veered to the side of the road. the contact's son met him at the scene and brought an electrical wire …”
2018-07-15 · Vehicle Speed Control · 17,265 mi“check engine light on & off while in fl in march, codes 598 & 2348, cruise quit working. july 12, 2018 turned off one rd onto another, getting up to speed of traffic. doing about 55 mph when noticed deer in rd, applied brakes only to have it lock up rather than abs work. bike started in slide/fish tail, let off and recovered. now abs light on and n…”
2018-05-16 · Power Train · 7,900 mi · 💥 crash“m/c was parked, kickstand down, engine off, transmission in first gear. before starting, electrical on/off button, located on gas tank, was engaged. gear identification light showed first gear, clutch lever retracted, transmission foot peg was shifted into neutral, light showed neutral. engine start button, located near right hand control, was act…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.