2016 Indian Springfield problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (1) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1) · Exterior Lighting (1)
Safety recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting:lighting Control Module:software 2022-08-19 · campaign 22V635000 · 28,689 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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 System 2019-10-29 · campaign 19V776000 · 52,745 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
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 (35)
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 2025-02-15 · IND-02.14.2025-05 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the installation and removal of the battery on model year 2016+ indian springfield.
Power Train 2025-02-15 · IND-02.28.2025-04 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on model year 2016+ indian springfield motorcycles.
Power Train 2025-02-15 · IND-02.14.2025-03 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on model year 2016+ indian springfield motorcycles.
Service Brakes 2025-02-15 · IND-02-14-2025-02 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and maintenance on the brake system for model year 2016 + indian springfield motorcycles.
Power Train 2025-02-11 · IND-02.10.2025 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on model year 2016+ indian springfield motorcycles.
Power Train 2025-02-11 · IND-02.10.2025 · Other
this indian motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on model year 2016+ indian springfield motorcycles.
Showing the 6 most recent of 35 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-10-22 · Exterior Lighting · 13,700 mi“2016 indian springfield motorcycle vin: [xxx] the headlight system went out on or about 09-05-20 following an indian repair shop visit for a recall on a digital shifting system (second time in shop for this issue). right after this repair on 09-05-20 (and i cannot tell you exactly when, maybe 1 day or less, the headlights when out while i w…”
2017-04-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“tl* the contact owns a 2016 indian springfield. the contact was not notified by the dealer, but the vin was included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v446000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system) and 16v877000 (fuel system, gasoline). the manufacturer had not supplied the parts to the dealer within a reasonable time frame to repair the vehicle…”
2016-11-22 · Tires · 15,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 indian springfield motorcycle equipped with dunlop elite iii tires, size: 130/90/1673h (na). when cleaning the motorcycle, the contact noticed small cracks on both sides of the front tire. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the tire and …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.