Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
6,800 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INDIAN SCOUT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH THE FRONT EXTERIOR HEADLIGHT MOUNTING BRACKET FELL FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP WHERE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS WELDED BACK ONTO THE MOTORCYCLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. LATER, THE HE WAS ABLE TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 INDIAN SCOUT MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH THE FRONT EXTERIOR HEADLIGHT MOUNTING BRACKET FELL FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP WHERE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS WELDED BACK ONTO THE MOTORCYCLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. LATER, THE HE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL ONLINE PERTAINING TO THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V258000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS), HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE COMPANY WAS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY RECALL REPAIRS. THEY ADVISED MAKING THE REPAIRS AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. TO DATE, THE CONTACT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE CORRECT REPAIRS MADE UNDER THE ABOVE MENTIONED RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 6,800. UPDATED 06/25/10.8JB
NHTSA ODI #10319224
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2003
Exterior LightingFuel System, GasolineStructure
THE CONSUMER WENT TO A INDIAN DEALERSHIP TO TAKE CARE OF RECALLS FOR THE HEADLAMP AND GASOLINE BUT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALLS DUE TO THE FACT THAT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE WAS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. *AK THE FRONT FENDER HAD THE POTENTIAL TO FALL. *SCC *JB *JB
NHTSA ODI #10040485
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2003
Exterior LightingStructure
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTERS 03V286000 AND 03V258000 FROM INDIAN MOTORCYCLES. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THESE RECALLS. MANUFACTURER FILED BANKRUPTCY.*AK
PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE FAILURE AND GAS TANK VENT TUBE. *MR 05/15/03 MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE GAS TANK VENT TUBE RECALL PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC OVERLOOKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND STATED IT WAS FINE. 05/24/03 ENGINE FAILED IN THE RAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE-MOTORCYCLE AT 60 MPH. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS…
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PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE FAILURE AND GAS TANK VENT TUBE. *MR 05/15/03 MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE GAS TANK VENT TUBE RECALL PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC OVERLOOKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND STATED IT WAS FINE. 05/24/03 ENGINE FAILED IN THE RAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE-MOTORCYCLE AT 60 MPH. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. 08/30/03 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE MOTORCYCLE AFTER THREE MONTHS WITHOUT THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. AFTER THE CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THE RECALL WAS WHY THE ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CRASH, THEY LENGTHEN THE TUBE WITH INFERIOR MATERIALS THAT BECAME PINCHED IN THE WIRE TIRES. THIS RESULTED IN THE BIKE STALLING AND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE GAS CAP. AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER AFTER THREE MONTHS, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION SPILLED LARGE AMOUNTS OF FLUID DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. 09/02/03 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO MORE RECALLS REGARDING THE FENDER AND HEADLIGHT FALLING OFF, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT KNOWN ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALLS. *PH *JB *SC
NHTSA ODI #10041858
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2003
Exterior Lighting
DEALERSHIP WAS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL 03V258000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHT BRACKET BREAKING. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T PERFORM ANY INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RECALL REPAIRS. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED A CRACK IN THE VEHICLES HEAD LIGHT, WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PART, BUT IT CRACKED AGAIN. TS THE HEAD LIGHT BRACKET CONTINUOUSLY BREAKS. THE BRAKE DUST BOOT HAD FALLEN OFF, AND THE REAR SHOCKS LEAKED. SCC
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WELD ATTACHING THE FENDER MOUNT TO THE FRONT FORK MAY CRACK AND BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE FENDER MOUNT TO FAIL RESULTING IN THE FENDER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL, RESULTING IN THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BOLT A BRACKET ONTO EACH FRONT FORK. THIS BRACKET WILL HOLD THE FENDER MOUNT IN PLACE EVEN IF THE WELD FAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT INDIAN AT 1-888-899-2997.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE BRACKET USED TO SUPPORT THE TEARDROP HEADLIGHT CAN CRACK, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO BREAK AND THE LIGHT TO SLIP OUT OF POSITION OR FALL OFF.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT IMC AT 1-888-899-2997.
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 ENGINE 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.
Consequence & remedy
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 APRIL 28, 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 FASTENERS THAT BOLT THE WINDSHIELD TO THE MOUNTING CLAMPS CAN BREAK, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO COME PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY OFF THE BIKE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS IN USE, THE RIDER COULD BE INJURED BY THE WINDSHIELD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 16, 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 AXLES ARE MADE OF A MATERIAL WITH A LOWER THAN DESIRABLE YIELD STRENGTH.
Consequence & remedy
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.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT FUEL TANK AT THE TOP OF THE JOINT WHERE THE BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE TANK BACK PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL CAN ESCAPE FROM THE TANK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GAS TANKS WITH TANKS THAT HAVE A REDESIGNED MOUNTING BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 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.
SOME MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE A GAS TANK VENTING SYSTEM THAT BECAME CLOGGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CLOGGING PREVENTS THE VENTING SYSTEM FROM ALLOWING PRESSURE TO ESCAPE FROM THE GAS TANK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN GAS FLOWING BACK INTO THE CARBURETOR AND POSSIBLY SPILLING ONTO THE GROUND.
Remedy: ALL MOTORCYCLES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECTED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE03024 · Headlight Separates
Opened Jun 4, 2003 · Closed Aug 11, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
ODI AND INDIAN RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 6 REPORTS ALLEGING THE TEARDROP-SHAPED HEADLIGHT WAS SEPARATING FROM ITS RETAINING BRACKET ON THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES.SHORTLY AFTER OPENING THIS PE, INDIAN RECALLED THE VEHICLES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.ODI HAS CONFIRMED INDIAN'S CLAIM THAT THIS PROBLEM RELATES ONLY TO THOSE MODELS WITH TEARDROP HEADLIGHT BUCKET.
PE01039 · Rear Suspension Collapse
Opened Nov 21, 2001 · Closed Apr 30, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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.
2002 Indian Scout Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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