RoadVitals

2002 Indian Chief

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 Sep 12, 2003
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.
4
Latest May 5, 2003
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.
1
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Indian Chief, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 13 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

  • Engine250.0%
  • Brakes125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
03V173000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 5, 2003
1,979 units potentially affected
The 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 SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER CAP SEAL.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENT OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The 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 THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
03V191000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

May 5, 2003
3,625 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANYManufacturer number IMCSB-056View on NHTSA.gov
02V246000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Sep 13, 2002
948 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER COULD CONTACT THE ROTOR AS A RESULT OF A MISALIGNMENT OF THE CALIPER CARRIER.
The risk: THE REAR BRAKE CAN OVERHEAT AND FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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 TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AT 1-408-846-7228.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANYManufacturer number IMCSB-048View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE01039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE

Opened Nov 21, 2001
Closed Apr 30, 2002

SIX MANUFACTURER INCIDENTS OF BROKEN REAR SUSPENSION SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING BRACKETS AND FORTY-TWO OF BROKEN SHOCK BOLTS.THE ORIGINAL SWAY-AWAY REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS (IDENTIFIED BY A BLACK HOUSING) ARE NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE SUBJECT BIKES' GVWR.SHOCK BOTTOMING (I.E., COIL BIND) CONSEQUENTLY OCCURS AT THE UPPER RANGE OF THE MACHINE'S WEIGHT CARRYING CAPACITY AND THE RESULTING LOADS BREAK THE SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKETS AND/OR BOLTS.INDIAN IS RECALLING THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES TO INSTALL SHOCK ABSORBERS FROM PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION.THE PROGRESSIVES HAVE A GREATER LOAD CARRYING CAPABILTY AND MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE GOLD COLOR.WITH INDIAN'S RECALL, ODI IS CLOSING THIS PE.

SUSPENSIONLed to recall 02V124000

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Sep 12, 2003

CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO START MOTORCYCLE. TOOK VEHICE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURHTER. *PH

NHTSA ID
10039860
Mileage
600 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 28, 2003

WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD. MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE MISALIGNED DRIVE PULLEYS AND BELTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10037906
Engine
Filed Jul 7, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10026586
Incident
May 12, 2001
Brakes
Filed May 10, 2002

MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8009623
Incident
Oct 15, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

IDH-HOLD

EQUIPMENT

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

TSB-040902

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE

TSB-040903

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR THE WEIGHT THE MOTORCYCLE IS CARRYING. TO ADJUST THE SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING, YOU WILL NEED AN APPROPRIATE SPANNER WRENCH. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

SB-040901

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; 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

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 Chief by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2024000—
2023000—
2022220—
2021000—
2020000—
2019010—
2018030—
2017220—
2016010—
2015110—
2014020—
2013010—
2012010—
2003220—
2002Viewing441—
2001102141.7
2000404256.4
1999942—

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.