THE VEHICLE WEAVES OUT OF CONTROL AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, THE 2002 MODELS ALL HAVE HAD REAR SWING ARM REDESIGNED AND STRENGHTENED BUT THESE WILL NOT FIT EARLIER MODELS. I BELIEVE THIS WEAVING IS CAUSED BY THE SWING ARM FLEXING. THIS WILL CAUSE CRASHES IN THE RIGHT SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. I ALSO BELIEVE THE MANUFATURER KNOWS THIS AN…
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THE VEHICLE WEAVES OUT OF CONTROL AT VARIABLE SPEEDS, THE 2002 MODELS ALL HAVE HAD REAR SWING ARM REDESIGNED AND STRENGHTENED BUT THESE WILL NOT FIT EARLIER MODELS. I BELIEVE THIS WEAVING IS CAUSED BY THE SWING ARM FLEXING. THIS WILL CAUSE CRASHES IN THE RIGHT SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. I ALSO BELIEVE THE MANUFATURER KNOWS THIS AND THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE CHANGED THE DESIGN, BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED THIS IN THE EARLIER MODELS. THIS WEAKER SWING ARM DESIGN WAS USED ON 1999 TO 2001 SPIRITS, SCOUT, AND CHIEF MODELS. IT HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES ON FLAT DRY ROAD SURFACES WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES INFRONT TO CAUSE WIND DISTURBANCE, AND STRAIGHT AWAY ROADS. FLEXING BECOMES WORSE ON TURNS. THE CHANGE OF DESIGN SHOWS A KNOWLEGE ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER, AS WELL AS THERE 2002 MODEL BROCHURES STATING THE RENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW SWING ARM, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOW BUT IGNORED.
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 EQUIPPED WITH COMPUFIRE BRAND SERIES TYPE VOLTAGE REGULATORS, IF DAMAGED, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN BECOME STUCK IN AN OPEN MODE THAT ALLOWS BATTERY VOLTAGE TO FLOW BACK THROUGH THE REGULATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE REGULATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE REGULATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 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 PINCH BOLTS THAT CLAMP THE FRONT FORKS TO THE AXLE MAY BE 1/4" BOLTS OR 5/16" BOLTS MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. IN BOTH CASES, THESE BOLTS MAY NOT BE OF SUFFICIENT STRENGTH OVER TIME TO CLAMP THE FRONT FORK TO THE AXLE TIGHTLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT AXLE ROTATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE AXLE IS ALLOWED TO ROTATE, THE AXLE COULD COME OUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT FORK, COLLAPSING THE FRONT END, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT FORKS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PINCH BOLTS ARE 1/4" OR 5/16" BOLTS MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. IF THE FORKS ARE CLAMPED WITH 1/4" BOLTS, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FORKS WITH FORKS DESIGNED WITH 5/16" BOLTS. IF THE FORKS ARE CLAMPED WITH 5/16" STAINLESS STEEL PINCH BOLTS, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE BOLTS WITH 5/16" BOLTS MADE OF ZINC PLATED STEEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 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.
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.
2001 Indian Spirit Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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