RoadVitals

2016 Indian Springfield

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.
3
Latest Oct 22, 2020
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.
3
Latest Aug 19, 2022
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Indian Springfield, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 35 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

  • Electrical233.3%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Exterior lighting116.7%
  • Tires & wheels116.7%

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

3 campaigns 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
22V635000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Aug 19, 2022
28,689 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy: 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.
Indian Motorcycle CompanyManufacturer number 1-19-02View 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
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 Oct 22, 2020

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 WAS DRIVING THIS MOTORCYCLE, (MOVING ON A STREET). ON 9-10-20 I BROUGHT MY 2016 INDIAN SPRINGFIELD TO DAYTONA BEACH INDIAN FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM OUTAGE PROBLEM. ON 9-10-20 WAS INFORMED BY DAYTONA BEACH INDIAN THAT THE VCM (VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE) HAD FAILED, SPECIFICALLY PIN # 11, THIS CONTROLLED THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH INDIAN MOTORCYCLES AND THE NHTSA HAVE A RECALL OUT ON 2014 MOTORCYCLES, CERTAIN MODELS, CHIEF AND CHIEFTAIN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V339000 AND INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY 01-19-02 - POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 6,487. INDIAN MOTORCYCLE CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. COULDN'T THEY HAVE USED A 2014 DEFECTIVE COMPONENT THE "VCM" ON A 2016 MOTORCYCLE? COULD THEY HAVE MORE OF A PROBLEM THAN THEY KNOW OF? REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *CC

NHTSA ID
11365722
Incident
Sep 5, 2020
Mileage
13,700 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 18, 2017

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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10979135
Incident
Mar 10, 2016
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 22, 2016

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 VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

NHTSA ID
10927552
Incident
Oct 24, 2016
Mileage
15,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

IND-02-14-2025-02

SERVICE BRAKES

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and maintenance on the brake system for model year 2016 + Indian Springfield motorcycles.

IND-02.14.2025-03

POWER TRAIN

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on model year 2016+ Indian Springfield motorcycles.

IND-02.28.2025-04

POWER TRAIN

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on model year 2016+ Indian Springfield motorcycles.

IND-02.14.2025-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the installation and removal of the battery on model year 2016+ Indian Springfield.

IND-02.10.2025

POWER TRAIN

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on model year 2016+ Indian Springfield motorcycles.

IND-02.10.2025

POWER TRAIN

This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on model year 2016+ Indian Springfield 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 Springfield by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024020—
2023010—
2022000—
2021000—
2020010—
2019130—
2018040—
2017140—
2016Viewing330—
2015020—
2014020—

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.