Does the 2016 Indian Chief have recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Indian Chief, including Exterior Lighting › Lighting Control Module › Software; Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder; Fuel System, Gasoline. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common 2016 Indian Chief problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical system (2), exterior lighting (1), vehicle speed control (1), service brakes (1).

How much does a 2016 Indian Chief cost to own for 5 years?

About $16,557 over 5 years ($276/month) at an estimated $7,750 purchase price and 4,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

2016 Indian Chief

The 2016 Indian Chief earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 68/100. Expect about $16,557 to own it for five years, or $276 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 5 complaints.

Recalls: 3
Complaints: 5
5-yr cost: $17k
MPG (EPA): —

Fair

Ownership Score

Looking at a specific Chief?

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3 recalls may apply

For the 2016 Indian Chief. NHTSA matches recalls by model and year — confirm by VIN.

What's wrong: 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.

Check recalls for this exact VIN at NHTSA

Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

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5-year cost to own

Estimated $7,750 price, 20% down, 11.19% APR for 60 months (Experian avg.), 4,000 mi/yr.

$16,557

$276/month · $0.83/mile

Depreciation	$1,265
Insurance (national avg.)	$3,500
Fuel / charging	$1,490
Maintenance	$3,660
Repairs	$3,300
Loan interest	$2,177
Taxes & fees	$1,165

Estimate, not financial advice. How we calculate.

Owner complaints & safety

What real owners reported to NHTSA for this model year.

5 complaints1 involved a crash

Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System2
Exterior Lighting1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Service Brakes1
Power Train1

Complaint counts scale with how many were sold; compare against similar models.

NHTSA crash-test stars

NHTSA doesn't crash-test motorcycles. Gear up: ABS and a good helmet matter most.

What to check on a used 2016 Indian Chief

Ordered by what owners of this model year reported most. Reports are not proof of a defect.

Electrical and lights
- Test every window, lock, light and wiper.
- Watch for warning lights that stay on after start-up.
Engine and transmission
- Cold start: listen for knocking, ticking or rough running.
- Shifts should be smooth with no slipping or jerking.
Brakes
- Press the pedal firmly: it should feel solid, not sink or pulse.
- Listen for grinding or squealing when stopping.

If anything in a safety area feels wrong (brakes, steering, airbags, tires), stop driving and get it inspected before you buy or drive it further. Paste a VIN above for the full printable checklist.

Common 2016 Indian Chief problems

Cheaper alternatives

2016 Kawasaki Ninja 400
Same year, known for low running costs
5-yr $13k · ↘ $3.1k less
2016 Honda Rebel 500
Same year, known for low running costs
5-yr $14k · ↘ $2.7k less

FAQ

Is the 2016 Indian Chief a good motorcycle to buy?: The 2016 Indian Chief earns a fair Throttlebook Ownership Score of 68/100. Expect about $16,557 to own it for five years, or $276 a month. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that may apply, so check the exact VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy. Owners have filed 5 complaints.
Does the 2016 Indian Chief have recalls?: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2016 Indian Chief, including Exterior Lighting › Lighting Control Module › Software; Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder; Fuel System, Gasoline. Recalls are matched by model year, so check your exact VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common 2016 Indian Chief problems?: Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical system (2), exterior lighting (1), vehicle speed control (1), service brakes (1).
How much does a 2016 Indian Chief cost to own for 5 years?: About $16,557 over 5 years ($276/month) at an estimated $7,750 purchase price and 4,000 miles a year, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs, loan interest and taxes. Run a VIN report to personalize it.

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP ratings; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data refreshed weekly. Complaint counts scale with sales volume.