Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2002 Indian Chief peaked in 2003, with 3 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2002 Indian Chief
Body and fuel not decoded. Owner complaints on file from May 10, 2002 to Sep 12, 2003.
Recall campaigns covering this model year47,142 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints44.0 times the median 2002 vehicle
Severity index0.0Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months3Complaints in its first two years
Components
50% of complaints about the 2002 Indian Chief name engine and cooling
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
4 recall campaigns cover the 2002 Indian Chief
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03V-191 | May 5, 2003 | Certain windshields that were sold as standard equipment on these motorcycles or sold as accessories for all other chief models may have defective… | Visibility and wipers | 3,625 | Part replacement |
| 03V-173 | May 5, 2003 | 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 | Fuel system | 1,979 | Part replacement |
| 02V-246 | Sep 13, 2002 | On certain motorcycles, the rear brake caliper could contact the rotor as a result of a misalignment of the caliper carrier | Brakes | 948 | Part replacement |
| 02V-180 | Jul 8, 2002 | On certain motorcycles, the rear axles are made of a material with a lower than desirable yield strength | Suspension | 590 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2002 Indian Chief
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
4 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Sep 12, 2003600 milesSussex, NJStarter assembly
CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO START MOTORCYCLE. TOOK VEHICE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURHTER. *PH
NHTSA complaint 10039860 - Filed Aug 28, 2003Lebanon, ORBelts and associated pulleys
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD. MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE MISALIGNED DRIVE PULLEYS AND BELTS. *AK
NHTSA complaint 10037906 - Filed Jul 7, 2003Failure May 12, 2001Donnelsville, OHEngine
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 complaint 10026586 - Filed May 10, 2002Failure Oct 15, 2001SAN Franciso, CAService brakes, Master cylinder
MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING VEHICLE TO WOBBLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA complaint 8009623
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on file
- PE01039 Preliminary evaluation, Suspension
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
Opened Nov 21, 2001, closed Apr 30, 2002 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
13 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- IND-02-14-2022 Feb 14, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice. - SB-040901 Jul 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE - TSB-040902 Jul 22, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE - TSB-040903 Jul 22, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 - IMCTB008 Feb 3, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
HEAD STUD/BOLT CLEANING, TORQUE VALUES AND TIGHTENING SEQUENCE. *JB - 009 Jan 13, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
PUSHROD ADJUSTMENT. *TT - 051 Jan 29, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT - 007 Jan 13, 2003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTMENT FOR A NOISY MISALIGNED DRIVE BELT. *TT - 051 Dec 11, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT - 049A Oct 25, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
FLYWHEEL OIL PASSAGE-WAY INSPECTION. *TT - 041A May 31, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES CHECKING FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PISTON WRIST PIN RETAINERS. *TT - 046A Jul 17, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SUBJECT REGARDING STARTER REPLACEMENT STARTING PROCEDURE. *TT
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.