2002 INDIAN CHIEF — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF
The 2002 INDIAN CHIEF has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Indian Motorcycle Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemstarter Assembly (1 complaint), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (1 complaint), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF, potentially affecting up to 7,142 vehicles.
Recall 03V191000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
| 3,625 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN WINDSHIELDS THAT WERE SOLD AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THESE MOTORCYCLES OR SOLD AS ACCESSORIES FOR ALL OTHER CHIEF MODELS MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE BRACKETS. THE BRACKETS THAT ATTACH THE WINDSHIELD TO THE MOTORCYCLE ARE FORMED SUCH THAT THE MOUNTING BOLTS ARE NOT FLUSH WITH THE BRACKET. THIS COULD PLACE EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE BOLTS CAUSING THEM TO BREAK.
Consequence: BROKEN MOUNTING BOLTS COULD LEAD TO THE WINDSHIELD COMING LOOSE AND EVEN FALLING OFF THE BIKE, POTENTIALLY STRIKING THE RIDER OR OTHERWISE CAUSING THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKETS AND BOLTS ON THE WINDSHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A...
View full details →Recall 03V173000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 1,979 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO THE POSITIONING OF THE GAS TANK VENT TUBE, THE VENT TUBE CAN BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS, PARTICULARLY IN WET WEATHER. VENT TUBE CLOGGING CAN CAUSE INTERRUPTION OF FUEL FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO STOP. A CLOGGED VENT TUBE MAY ALSO CAUSE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE GAS TANK AND PUSH A...
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENT OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT VENT TUBE WITH A LONGER TUBE REPOSITIONED TO PREVENT CLOGGING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE...
View full details →Recall 02V246000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
| 948 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER COULD CONTACT THE ROTOR AS A RESULT OF A MISALIGNMENT OF THE CALIPER CARRIER.
Consequence: THE REAR BRAKE CAN OVERHEAT AND FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE TO ENSURE THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND ROTOR ARE CORRECTLY POSITIONED. IF THEY ARE NOT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SWING ARM AND REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO...
View full details →Recall 02V180000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 590 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR AXLES ARE MADE OF A MATERIAL WITH A LOWER THAN DESIRABLE YIELD STRENGTH.
Consequence: UNDER REPEATED HEAVY LOADS, THE REAR AXLE COULD DEFORM CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS POTENTIALLY LEADING TO OVERHEATING AND SEIZING OF THE BEARINGS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLES ON THESE MOTORCYCLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Systemstarter Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO START MOTORCYCLE. TOOK VEHICE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURHTER. *PH
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD. MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE MISALIGNED DRIVE PULLEYS AND BELTS. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Safety Rating for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF
Indian Motorcycle Company has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SB-040901 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
IMCTB008 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD STUD/BOLT CLEANING, TORQUE VALUES AND TIGHTENING SEQUENCE. *JB
051 — POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT
049A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FLYWHEEL OIL PASSAGE-WAY INSPECTION. *TT
046A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
SUBJECT REGARDING STARTER REPLACEMENT STARTING PROCEDURE. *TT
041A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES CHECKING FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PISTON WRIST PIN RETAINERS. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 INDIAN CHIEF
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the INDIAN CHIEF
- 1999 INDIAN CHIEF — 22 complaints
- 2000 INDIAN CHIEF — 52 complaints
- 2001 INDIAN CHIEF — 10 complaints
- 2002 INDIAN CHIEF (current)
- 2003 INDIAN CHIEF — 4 complaints
Other INDIAN Models
- INDIAN SCOUT — 65 total complaints
- INDIAN ROADMASTER — 33 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEFTAIN — 19 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEF VINTAGE — 18 total complaints
- INDIAN SPIRIT — 15 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEF DARK HORSE — 13 total complaints
- INDIAN SCOUT BOBBER — 12 total complaints
- INDIAN CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE — 10 total complaints