NHTSA vehicle safety data
2002 Indian Chief Recalls & Complaints
The 2002 Indian Chief has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Indian dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Indian Chief. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2002 Indian Chief owner complaints
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Indian Chief, describing incidents dated May 12, 2001 to October 15, 2001.
Most-cited components
- Engine 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Service Brakes 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10039860 · Filed
CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO START MOTORCYCLE. TOOK VEHICE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURHTER. *PH
ODI #10037906 · Filed
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD. MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE MISALIGNED DRIVE PULLEYS AND BELTS. *AK
ODI #10026586 · Filed
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 defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Indian Chief in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE01-039: REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
Closed April 30, 2002
INDIAN/WINDSHIELDS
NHTSA #03V191000 · Visibility — Windshield · NHTSA notice
Reported May 5, 2003 · INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
Potentially affected: 3,625 vehicles
Indian campaign IMCSB-056 · Owners notified May 30, 2003 · Vehicles built July 1, 2000 – March 3, 2003 (per NHTSA)
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 PLACE EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE BOLTS CAUSING THEM TO BREAK.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE/VENT TUBE CLOGGING
NHTSA #03V173000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice
Reported May 5, 2003 · INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
Potentially affected: 1,979 vehicles
Owners notified May 13, 2003 · Vehicles built February 28, 2002 – April 23, 2003 (per NHTSA)
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 TO BUILD UP IN THE GAS TANK AND PUSH A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER CAP SEAL.
Safety consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENT OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE/REAR BRAKE CALIPER
NHTSA #02V246000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice
Reported September 13, 2002 · INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
Potentially affected: 948 vehicles
Indian campaign IMCSB-048 · Owners notified August 28, 2002 · Vehicles built April 1, 2002 – August 6, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER COULD CONTACT THE ROTOR AS A RESULT OF A MISALIGNMENT OF THE CALIPER CARRIER.
Safety consequence
THE REAR BRAKE CAN OVERHEAT AND FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RECALL BULLETIN NO. IMCSB-048.ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE/REAR AXLES
NHTSA #02V180000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice
Reported July 8, 2002 · INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
Potentially affected: 590 vehicles
Owners notified August 16, 2002 · Vehicles built May 24, 2002 – July 2, 2002 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR AXLES ARE MADE OF A MATERIAL WITH A LOWER THAN DESIRABLE YIELD STRENGTH.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Indian Chief model years
Check your 2002 Indian Chief VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Indian Chief at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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