RoadVitals

2016 Indian Roadmaster

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Feb 24, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Oct 29, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Indian Roadmaster, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical342.9%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V776000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Oct 29, 2019
52,745 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-19-03View on NHTSA.gov
18V055000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

Jan 16, 2018
7,392 units potentially affected
The defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Roadmaster motorcycles. Water may enter the trunk wiring harness, potentially causing the brake light to remain illuminated even when the brakes are not applied.
The risk: If the brake light remains illuminated when the brakes are not applied, a vehicle behind the motorcycle may not know when the motorcycle is actually slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trunk wiring harness with an updated harness that contains sealing plugs in the connectors, free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2018. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-18-01.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-18-01View on NHTSA.gov
16V877000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Dec 6, 2016
23,761 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-16-03View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 24, 2024

Backlights on instrument cluster went out. I can no longer see my speedometer, tachometer, or fuel guage on my hour ride home from work which is always in the dark. The backlights are nonservicable which makes no sense to me. I feel like this is dangerous not being able to tell how fast you are going, and the way people drive these days, you can't use them to pace yourself. I also feel that being stranded on the side of the road because you ran out of gas is not the safest place to be for a motorcyclists, but I think that not knowing how fast you are going is the most dangerous. Making certain lights nonserviceable is a poor idea. It sure is an expensive motorcycle that I am afraid to ride now because I can't see everything I need to see in order to operate it safely.

NHTSA ID
11573745
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 5, 2023

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V776000 Your website says that the issue is repaired with my vehicle, which it has not been. Yes I have taken it to not only one, but two different dealers to have the issue resolved multiple times. The issue still continues and Indian Motorcycles, in my belief, refuses to fix the problem at hand under the recall. To the point where they have said it is no longer the gear positioning switch. And it has now started costing me money while they toss parts at it with hopes it’ll repair the issue. I can’t afford to pay $1,000 plus each time I take it somewhere to have this recall repaired. This is a serious safety issue. Not only the possibility of the motorcycle being started while parked, but it also disengaged cruise control while being used. These motorcycles rapidly lose forward momentum when the throttle isn’t applied creating a risk of being rear ended and or run over on the interstate while the operator is trying to investigate the loss of throttle.

NHTSA ID
11542560
Incident
Sep 5, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 INDIAN ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V877000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10939469
Incident
Dec 6, 2016
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 26, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 INDIAN ROADMASTER. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE TIPPED OVER. AT THE TIME OF THE ISSUE, THE CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PROPELLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CALIBRATION ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,300.

NHTSA ID
10919014
Incident
Oct 23, 2016
Mileage
3,300 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

I-22-03-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 or during battery removal and installation.

IND-02-14-2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.

I-20-06 R02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 Full–Size (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.

IDH-HOLD

EQUIPMENT

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.

I-20-06 R01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 Full–Size (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.

I-20-12-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

This Team Tip has been released by Indian Motorcycle to provide information regarding odometer maintenance and address concerns about correct odometer value.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Indian Roadmaster by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024020—
2023010—
2022200—
2021100—
2020000—
2019020—
2018220—
2017930—
2016Viewing450—
2015350—
2014030—
2011030—
2010030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.