2002 Indian Chief
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Indian › Chief › 2002
These records cover every 2002 Indian Chief. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2002 Indian Chief. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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 indian motorcycle at 1-888-899-2997.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
On certain motorcycles, the rear brake caliper could contact the rotor as a result of a misalignment of the caliper carrier.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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 agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact indian motorcycle at 1-408-846-7228.
On certain motorcycles, the rear axles are made of a material with a lower than desirable yield strength.
Risk and remedy
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 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.
Owner complaints
4 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Starter assembly
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
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
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
Master cylinder IS leaking fluid, causing vehicle to wobble. Dealer notified.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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 the upper range of…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10208642Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
- 10189626EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
- 10030064Indian motorcycle: engine oil level check. No model or model years listed.
- 10030026Indian motorcycle: transmission oil level check. Model and model years not listed.
- 10030025Indian 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.
- 10001174Head stud/bolt cleaning, torque values and tightening sequence.
- 10001069Pushrod adjustment.
- 10001067Transmission pulley, drive belt, and rear drive pulley replacement.
- 10001066Rear wheel alignment and drive belt tension adjustment for a noisy misaligned drive belt.
- 10000844Transmission pulley, drive belt, and rear drive pulley replacement.
- 10000591Flywheel oil passage-way inspection.
- 635930This bulletin involves checking for proper installation of the piston wrist pin retainers.
- 635928Subject regarding starter replacement starting procedure.
Every Indian Chief model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.