2016 Indian Scout problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (1) · Service Brakes (1) · Power Train (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Service Brakes 2019-02-05 · campaign 19E007000 · 60 vehicles
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain accessory brake levers, part number 2883795-658, sold for use on Scout and Scout bobber motorcycles. The accessory brake lever adjustment screw may have been set incorrectly, causing unintentional front brake application.
Risk: The accessory brake lever may apply the front brake, increasing the application while riding until the front wheel locks up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Indian Motorcycle Company will notify owners, and dealers will provide replacement parts, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2019. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-01.
Service bulletins (31)
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.
Steering 2026-04-16 · IND-04162026 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding how to install grips on model year(s) 2015-2024 scout.
Suspension 2025-09-16 · IND-9.16.2025 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding shock inspection and adjustment on model year 2015 - 2024 indian scout motorcycles.
Exterior Lighting 2025-07-16 · IND-07.15.2025-2 · Other
this indian help center article provides details regarding how to remove and replace the headlamp bulb model year 2015-2024 indian scout motorcycles.
Engine 2025-07-16 · IND-07.15.2025-1 · Other
this indian help center article provides information regarding how to change the oil on model year 2015-2024 indian scout motorcycles.
Electrical System 2025-04-17 · I-22-03-02 · Other
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
Seats 2025-03-01 · IND-02.28.2025-03 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding how to remove the driver's seat on indian scout motorcycles.
Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-04-29 · Unknown Or Other · 3,015 mi“2016 indian scout, 3036 miles experiencing trouble starting and running terrible. after having to make a sudden stop when a car in front of another vehicle decided to turn suddenly with no warning. the abs light stays on and will not go off. when stopping the motorcycle slid and the back tire squealed and bike died in middle of street so it appea…”
2020-07-08 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 1,526 mi“my 2016 indian scout sixty has only 1,526 miles on it. i purchased it, and took delivery on nov. 1st, 2016. while riding my motorcycle one day recently, it started to run rough. it frequently sounded like it misfired, plus when i rolled out on the throttle at takeoff, and at cruising speeds, it would be delayed in response, instead of instantly, wh…”
2019-06-27 · Service Brakes · 8,080 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 indian scout 900. while driving approximately 55 mph, the contact attempted to slow down by depressing the rear brake pedal; however, the motorcycle did not stop. the contact had to use the front brake to stop the vehicle. the motorcycle was driven to indian motorcycle redlands (215 e redlands blvd, redlands, ca 92373) w…”
2017-07-25 · Electrical System · 1,700 mi“the electrical connection to the tail light assembly (brake light and turn signals) and the main chassis harness was not properly fastened by the factory, and failed after rubbing on the rear tire from being unproperly fastened. the bike lost safety signals and became a safety hazard on the road.…”
2017-04-21 · Steering · 300 mi“i bought a new leftover 2016 scout abs on april 8, 2017 from the marietta, ga dealership. on april 19, 2017, i had to semi-panic stop and brake really hard when an suv pulled out directly in front of me. i was driving in a straight line at about 30 mph in an urban setting. once i began accelerating again, i noticed the left handgrip had broken lo…”
2016-06-06 · Power Train · 1,100 mi“when attempting to decelerate, the engine rpm's continue to go higher. i have sat at a light, bike is in neutral, and the throttle continues to accelerate. i am concerned that this issue could cause me to get in a serious accident with this motorcycle.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.