RoadVitals

2016 Indian Scout

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.
6
Latest Apr 29, 2021
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.
1
Latest Feb 5, 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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Indian Scout, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 31 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

  • Electrical333.3%
  • Brakes222.2%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Steering111.1%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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

SERVICE BRAKES; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Feb 5, 2019
60 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number I-19-01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 29, 2021

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 APPEARS THE ABS BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. LUCKILY, I'D LEFT PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN ME AND OTHER VEHICLE AND AVOIDED A COLLISION. AFTER SUDDENLY STOPPING IT DIED AND SPUTTERED AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO START. IT TOOK ABOUT 5 TRIES WITH TRAFFIC BACKING UP BEHIND ME TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. I HAD TROUBLE WITH IT NOT WANTING TO START PERIODICALLY LAST YEAR BUT ITS WORSE AND MORE CONSISTENT. THIS ALL OCCURRED ON A TWO LANE, VERY CURVY, AND HILLY ROAD. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN ON THIS ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11414430
Incident
Apr 27, 2021
Mileage
3,015 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 8, 2020

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, WHICH IT ALWAYS DID BEFORE. I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE MORE THROTTLE WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STANDSTILL JUST TO AVOID STALLING THE ENGINE.FINALLY WHEN I GOT HOME, THE FRONT END OF THE BAFFLES OF THE EXHAUST WAS TURNED BLUE, MEANING THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING LEAN, CREATING EXCESS HIGH HEAT. THE BAFFLES WERE CHROME COLORED BEFORE THIS. WHILE RIDING, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL, AND THEIR WAS A CHECK ENGINE CODE # 3056. I LOOKED UP THE CODE, AND IT INDICATED AN OXYGEN SENSOR WENT BAD. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A WELL MAINTAINED MOTORCYCLE, WITH ONLY 1,526 TOTAL MILES ON IT. THAT IS ONE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY SIX MILES TO AVOID ANY CONFUSION. THE AGE OF THE MOTORCYCLE IS IRRELEVANT. AS OF NOW, POLARIS INDICATES NO RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, AND THAT IS WHY I'M REPORTING IT. POLARIS NEEDS TO COVER 100% THE COST OF THIS REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11338213
Incident
Jun 14, 2020
Mileage
1,526 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 2019

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) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE CYLINDER SEAL FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS GOING TO BE REPAIRED WITHIN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 641932. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,080.

NHTSA ID
11222951
Incident
Jun 26, 2019
Mileage
8,080 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 25, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11010633
Incident
Jul 21, 2017
Mileage
1,700 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 21, 2017

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 LOOSE, SLID TOWARD THE END OF THE HANDLEBAR, AND WAS ONLY HOLDING ON BY A COUPLE OF INCHES. IT COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE WITH A LOSS OF EQUALIZING HAND PRESSURE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BAR. ON THE REST OF THE RIDE HOME, IT TURNED VERY FREELY. IT WAS VERY LOOSE TAKING ALMOST NO FORCE TO REMOVE/REPLACE IT. HAD I LET GO OF THE LEFT GRIP FOR MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS, THE WIND AND VIBRATION WOULD'VE SLID IT COMPLETELY OFF. IT IS NOT A STRETCH FIT HANDGRIP. UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS ONLY ABOUT A 2" TO 3" INCH SQUIGGLE OF ADHESIVE RESIDUE ONLY ON THE UPPER PART OF THE BAR. I HAD BEEN RIDING IN THE RAIN THE DAY BEFORE. IT WAS STILL A LITTLE WET INSIDE THE HANDGRIP. THAT MAY BE AN EXTENUATING FACTOR, BUT STILL NOT A GOOD EXCUSE FOR IT TO COME OFF ONLY 11 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. IT MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH OTHER MODEL YEARS AND THE SCOUT SIXTY MODEL, TOO.

NHTSA ID
10979870
Incident
Apr 19, 2017
Mileage
300 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 6, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10872796
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Mileage
1,100 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

IND-04162026

STEERING

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding how to install grips on model year(s) 2015-2024 Scout.

IND-9.16.2025

SUSPENSION

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding shock inspection and adjustment on model year 2015 - 2024 Indian Scout motorcycles.

IND-07.15.2025-2

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This Indian Help Center article provides details regarding how to remove and replace the headlamp bulb Model Year 2015-2024 Indian Scout Motorcycles.

IND-07.15.2025-1

ENGINE

This Indian Help Center article provides information regarding how to change the oil on Model Year 2015-2024 Indian Scout motorcycles.

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. In an effort to reduce likelihood of service error, Indian Motorcycle is releasing this Team Tip to provide guidance on proper steps for dealer setup and service. The team tip was originally released March 22, 2022 and has been updated to include model year 2023-2024 Indian Scout vehicles.

IND-02.28.2025-03

SEATS

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding how to remove the driver's seat on Indian Scout motorcycles.

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 Scout by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025410
2024000
2023100
2022110
2021110
2020000
2019030
2018220
2017020
2016Viewing610
2015820
2003241
2002672
2001972
2000012
1999012

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.