2002 INDIAN CHIEF
4 recalls, 4 complaints - 16 TSBs
03V173000 May 5, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Defect Description
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... Read more
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 THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT I... Read more
03V191000 May 5, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Defect Description
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 ... Read more
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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE AT 1-888-899-2997... Read more
02V246000 Sep 13, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Defect Description
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 TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN A... Read more
02V180000 Jul 8, 2002
SUSPENSION:REAR
Defect Description
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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN AT 1-408-846-7228.
Complaint Statistics
4 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Sep 12, 2003
CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO START MOTORCYCLE. TOOK VEHICE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURHTER. *PH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Aug 28, 2003
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD. MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE MISALIGNED DRIVE PULLEYS AND BELTS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jul 7, 2003
Incident date: May 12, 2001
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
May 10, 2002
Incident date: Oct 15, 2001
MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Technical Service Bulletins, 2002 INDIAN CHIEF
16 manufacturer communications from 12 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| 355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | 3 |
| 113000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| 100000 POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| 061110 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 1 |
| 102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| 022400 SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| 102400 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT | 1 |
IND-02-14-2022
Feb 14, 2022
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
IND-02-14-2022
Feb 14, 2022
355200 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
Mar 15, 2021
350000 EQUIPMENT
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
TSB-040903
Jul 22, 2009
022400 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. *
TSB-040902
Jul 22, 2009
102400 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE
TSB-040902
Jul 22, 2009
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE
SB-040901
Jul 1, 2009
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
SB-040901
Jul 1, 2009
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
IMCTB008
Feb 3, 2003
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD STUD/BOLT CLEANING, TORQUE VALUES AND TIGHTENING SEQUENCE. *JB
051
Jan 29, 2003
102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT
007
Jan 13, 2003
061110 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTMENT FOR A NOISY MISALIGNED DRIVE BELT. *TT
009
Jan 13, 2003
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PUSHROD ADJUSTMENT. *TT
051
Dec 11, 2002
100000 POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT
049A
Oct 25, 2002
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FLYWHEEL OIL PASSAGE-WAY INSPECTION. *TT
046A
Jul 17, 2002
113000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
SUBJECT REGARDING STARTER REPLACEMENT STARTING PROCEDURE. *TT
041A
May 31, 2002
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES CHECKING FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PISTON WRIST PIN RETAINERS. *TT
NHTSA Safety Investigations, INDIAN CHIEF
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
PE02037
Opened: Mar 26, 2002 , Closed: May 24, 2002
HANDLEBAR LOOSENING
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING ONE OWNER COMPLAINT REGARDING TWO INSTANCES OF HANDLEBAR LOOSENING ON A 2000 INDIAN CHIEF MODEL MOTORCYCLE.THIS WAS OCCURRING BECAUSE THE HANDLEBAR RISER CLAMP MATERIAL WAS TWW SOFT RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE NECESSARY TO FULLY SECURE THE H... Read more
PE01039
Opened: Nov 21, 2001 , Closed: Apr 30, 2002
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
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 ... Read more
INDIAN CHIEF - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the INDIAN CHIEF across all model years (1999, 2022).
30
Total Recalls
99
Total Complaints
2
Investigations
4
Reported Crashes
2
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
INDIAN CHIEF - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.