2002 Indian ChiefProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2002 Indian Chief, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)

Safety recalls4Free fix at dealers Owner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem2Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 12, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Indian Chief has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

2Engine and engine cooling

1Electrical system

1Service brakes, hydraulic

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling	2	0
Electrical system	1	0
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	0

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2002 Indian Chief recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 03V-173 · May 5, 2003 · 1,979 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENT OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Visibility: windshield

Recall 03V-191 · May 5, 2003 · 3,625 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Disc: caliper

Recall 02V-246 · Sep 13, 2002 · 948 vehicles

Risk. THE REAR BRAKE CAN OVERHEAT AND FAIL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 02V-180 · Jul 8, 2002 · 590 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Indian.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Chief year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Chief median. How we score

9 40 10 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2

'99'00'01'02'03'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'22

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Indian Chief, and the recalls they led to.

Nov 21, 2001
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSEPE01039 · closed Apr 30, 2002
Led to recall 02V-124

In owners' words

What Chief owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD. MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE MISALIGNED DRIVE PULLEYS AND BELTS. *AK
Complaint 10037906 · Aug 28, 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
Complaint 10026586 · Jul 7, 2003

Own a 2002 Chief?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.