2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse

Recalls

1 recall names the 2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse. Newest first.

• Fuel system, gasoline

  Dec 6, 2016NHTSA 16V87700023,761 vehicles

  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 and remedy

  Risk

  A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

  Remedy

  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.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Electrical system2
2. Exterior lighting1
3. Power train1
4. Service brakes1
5. Unknown or other1
6. Vehicle speed control1

Latest complaints

• Jul 14, 2025WI
  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 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 issue persists, and the manufacturer has no more interest in trying to fix it on their dime. This is a huge safety issue and I think they should continue to pay to service the bike until this problem is fixed once and for all.

• May 23, 2022NY38,000 mi
  Exterior lighting › Headlights
  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…

  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 that the contact connected to the light bulbs, and the headlights started working as needed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The motorcycle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

• Jul 15, 2018MI17,265 mi
  Service brakes · Unknown or other · Vehicle speed control

  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 not working. Bike has just 17,265 miles on it.

• May 16, 2018ID7,900 miCrash1 injury
  Electrical system · Power train
  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…

  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 activated. engine started, m/c moved forward at rapid speed, causing the rider to release hold of handlebars. rider IS eventually able to reach and depress the electrical on/off button, turning off the engine. the m/c continues forward at speed, falls to its right and slams the rider against the parking lot asphalt pavement. the m/c rights itself, continues forward, falls to its left side throwing the rider to the pavement. rider sustained a concussion, one broken rib, broken collarbone, collapsed lung on his right side. Rider was wearing a full face helmet, padded motorcycle jacket, padded motorcycle pants, padded riding gloves, 8 inch leather lace up boots. Indian motorcycles have a safety switch on the kickstand which do not allow the m/c to start if the stand IS down and the transmission IS in gear. the m/c will not start if it IS in gear, without the clutch lever being pulled in. The transmission light showed neutral, when the transmission was still in first gear, which allowed the start button to engage. in this case, both the kickstand safety and the transmission indicator were faulty, which allowed the starter button to engage. progressive claim number...18-4423966, california highway patrol report number...9650-2018-01420. indian motorcycle has issued a recall on all 2018 motorcycles stating that their motorcycle may start unexpectedly.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10209965Indian 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 or during battery removal and installation.
• 10208642Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
• 10195280579.5 Notices, Bulletins, customer satisfaction campaigns, consumer advisories, and other communications for the month of November 2015
• 10189626EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
• 10189624Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 FullSize (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). Mentioned devices operate in restricted in Japan frequency of 433Hhz.
• 10189623Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 FullSize (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). Mentioned devices operate in restricted in Japan frequency of 433Hhz.
• 10185171Indian Motorcycle has identified a potential calibration issue affecting some 111/116 c.i. motorcycles. When active, the P1530 fault causes the motorcycle to operate in a reduced power (limp) mode.
• 10185170This Team Tip has been released by Indian Motorcycle to provide information regarding odometer maintenance and address concerns about correct odometer value.
• 10179072At Polaris, we are committed to the safety of our customers and riders. Through product design, dedicated safety engineering, and increased consumer awareness, Polaris continues to work toward a safe riding experience and proper operation of our products. The following information can be used to help identify and report Product Safety Concerns.
• 10179070There is no doubt that for a Polaris customer the process of picking up a brand new vehicle is one of the most exciting times in the ownership experience. To ensure that all Polaris dealers are equipped to deliver a world-class experience that matches the high quality and excitement of the products, PCDX was developed to create a mobile streamlined dealership delivery experience. PCDX combines the setup, registration, and delivery process into one easy to use application.
• 10179069PCDX is an online and mobile interface for providing a consistent dealer setup and customer delivery experience. The interface walks the dealer and the customer through a standardized online form that includes the PDI (pre-delivery inspection), general warnings, assembly and inspection, safety bulletins, test ride, customer information, customer walkaround and discussion, and customer acceptance. This application has been proven in dealerships to automate document retention, streamline vehicle setup, and provide a consistent, professional customer experience. Vehicles shipped after 11/1/2015 no longer include a paper PDI form with the vehicle setup material; instead dealers should complete the vehicle setup and PDI using the PCDX application, which can be located on the Dealer Website under Service and Warranty PCDX.
• 10179068This Team Tip is being released to dealers to provide information regarding the required transition to online PCDX and PCDX training.
• 10178896Indian Motorcycle has determined the gear position switch used on 2014-2019 (111 c.i.) motorcycles may provide an inaccurate signal, which can lead to an incorrect gear being displayed. Oxidation on the contacts of the gear position switch may cause a change in resistance values resulting in the rider display indicating an incorrect gear. Incorrect gear indication during start-up can increase the risk of a crash.
• 10178895Indian Motorcycle has determined the gear position switch used on 2014-2019 (111 c.i.) motorcycles may provide an inaccurate signal, which can lead to an incorrect gear being displayed. Oxidation on the contacts of the gear position switch may cause a change in resistance values resulting in the rider display indicating an incorrect gear. Incorrect gear indication during start-up can increase the risk of a crash.
• 10178894Indian Motorcycle has determined the gear position switch used on 2014-2019 (111 c.i.) motorcycles may provide an inaccurate signal, which can lead to an incorrect gear being displayed. Oxidation on the contacts of the gear position switch may cause a change in resistance values resulting in the rider display indicating an incorrect gear. Incorrect gear indication during start-up can increase the risk of a crash.
• 10178882Indian Motorcycle is actively investigating a potential concern affecting 111 ci engines that have been equipped with the Thunder Stroke 116 ci Stage 3 Big Bore accessory kit. Investigation is currently planned to conclude by 5/7/18, and at that time this communication will be re-issued with additional information. In the interim, Big Bore Kits and vehicles equipped with kits should not be sold.
• 10178880Indian Motorcycle has identified three separate calibration concerns currently affecting 2017 and 2018 full-size Indian Motorcycles. The Indian Motorcycle engineering team has released updated ECM and cluster calibrations to correct these concerns. Gear Position Fault, Coil Driver Fault, and Battery Drain issues will all be resolved with this reflash. Refer to Team Tip I-17-11-01 for more details.
• 10178866This Team Tip has been released to assist dealers when servicing vehicles that have, or are suspected to have, aftermarket (non-OEM) modifications. It is critical for expedient and accurate diagnosis of a motorcycle, to identify and disclose all existing modifications to Indian Technical Service. Use of aftermarket components can create operating characteristics and sensor feedback that do not align with factory parameters. These cases can send our technicians down the wrong path and result in longer diagnostic time and a poor customer experience.
• 10178865This Team Tip is designed to inform dealers about updated information regarding gear position switches for all 2014- 2019 Indian Motorcycle (111 c. i.) models. Updated information has been added to the Service Manual to provide dealers with clear direction on how to properly maintain and service gear position switches. We have also updated the maintenance interval chart to include the inspection and cleaning of the gear position switch at 10,000 mile intervals.
• 101788582014-2018 Indian Motorcycles utilize Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries which are selected for their superior vibration resistance, weight savings, and high output. This Team Tip is being released to provide the Indian dealer network with specific recommendations to help maintain and restore the AGM type batteries used in Indian Motorcycles.
• 10178857Indian Motorcycle has identified three separate calibration concerns currently affecting 2017 and 2018 full-size Indian Motorcycles. The Indian Motorcycle engineering team is working quickly to develop and release updated ECM and cluster calibrations to correct these concerns, but during the interim, the strategies outlined below can reduce customer frustration and unnecessary diagnostic time.
• 10178850Indian Motorcycle has implemented an updated, maintenance-free fuel pump assembly for all full size Indian motorcycles produced from November 11, 2015. The updated fuel pump is a direct replacement for the previous version and does not affect fuel pump removal or installation procedures.
• 10178849Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2016 full-size Indian Motorcycles may develop an oil leak from the Primary Access Cover Seal. Leaks typically appear during setup or dealer flooring. This may occur if the seal (PN:5415433) migrated out of position during assembly, prior to cover installation.
• 10178848This Team Tip is being released to provide dealers with an advanced understanding of Indian Motorcycle key fob operation, alarm compatibility, battery life expectations and troubleshooting. 2014-2016 Indian Chief, Chieftain and Roadmaster motorcycles utilize a keyless ignition system (Key Fob) for vehicle startup and operation. The Key Fob acts as a two-way transmitter which provides an authentication signal to the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) located on the motorcycle. When the Key Fob is detected, the ignition system is enabled and the motorcycle becomes operational.
• 10167641Updated information has been added to all Indian Motorcycle Service Manuals to provide dealers with clear directions when servicing the fuel system. Be sure to reference the applicable Service Manual for the most accurate information.
• 10167640This Team Tip identifies differences between crankcases used throughout Indian Motorcycle 111 C.I. engine production, and introduces a new service crankcase for 2014-2020 models.

Every Indian Chief Dark Horse model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.