Owners filed 40 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering › steering wheel/handle bar. It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
5
0
0
0
Suspension › Rear
4
0
1
0
Suspension
4
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
3
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
2
0
0
0
Structure
2
1
0
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
2
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield
1
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
1
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Visibility › Windshield03V191000
Filed May 5, 20033,625 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. 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. 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.
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator03V039000
Filed Feb 10, 20037,947 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar02V144000
Filed May 30, 20024,765 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE HANDLE BAR RISER TOP CLAMP COULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE BARS.
Risk. LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL FIT THE MOTORCYCLES WITH A NEW RISER TOP CLAMP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 31, 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.
Suspension › Rear02V124000
Filed May 3, 20024,590 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MADE BY SWAY-A-WAY, THE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS TO THE SWING ARM COULD BREAK.
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System › Horn
Filed Oct 11, 20036,000 milesCA
HORN DOESNT WORK,CHARGING SYSTEM DOESNT WORK,WINDSHIELD COMES LOSE. *LA
Visibility › Windshield
Filed Sep 23, 2003CA
THE MOTORCYCLE HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEM S. THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE /THE CHARGER WILL NOT CHARGE AT ALL/BATTERY HAS LOW CELL, AND BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD AT ALL. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 30, 2003CA
CONSUMER STATES THAT T BRAKES HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Electrical System
Filed May 23, 2003KY
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #03V039000 SUBJECT: VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THE CONSUMER CALLED KERRY FORD ON 4/28/2003 WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A CALL FROM KERRY FORD ON THE DATE WHEN THE RECALLED PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE. *NLM
Exterior Lighting › Turn SignalCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 23, 20033,500 milesOR
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE TURN SIGNALS FLASH THREE TIMES. WHILE THEY ARE FLASHING, THE TURN SIGNALS CAN NOT BE TURNED ON WHICH CAUSED ME TO BE STRUCK IN THE SIDE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. *JB
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Apr 1, 2003WV
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2003MD
THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR FOR A LEAK, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Feb 26, 2003NM
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL PERFORMED REGARDING THE WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR.*JB
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY DIED. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A SHORTAGE. MR
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Oct 18, 2002MI
THE CONSUMER IS CONCERN HE RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICED FOR THE HANDLE BAR. MAY 31 2001. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO PARTS AVAILABLE. INDIAN MOTORCYCLE 200 EAST TENTH STREET GILROY CA 95020 #FOR JUDY WOODS 408 846 7228 COMPANY 408 846 7228. MR
Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 18, 2002CA
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY DIED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE BULB. DEALER STATED THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THREE WEEKS LATER LIGHTS SHORTED OUT AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 27, 2002TX
WAITING 4 MONTHS FOR DEALERS OF INDIAN TO "GET PARTS FROM INDIAN" - STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE.. NOTIFIED INDIAN PERSONEL IN GILROY, NO CALL BACK YET. TS
Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed Aug 30, 2002OR
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V124000 FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS. WHEN HE TOOK IT IN ON OR ABOUT JULY 2, 2002, WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR RECALL. THEN LEFT, AND RETURNED AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME ON OR ABOUT AUG 16, 02, AND WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE RECALL. ALSO, WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN WOULD BE RECEIVING THE PART. DEALER, INDIAN MOTOR OF PORTLAND ON 13844 S.E MCLOUGHLIN BLVD. MILWAUKEE, OR 97222 (503) 654 1017.*AK
Suspension
Filed Aug 1, 2002IL
MOTORCYCLE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP AT 40 MPH WENT INTO A SKID ALMOST HIT BY VEHICLE BEHIND ME TRANSMISSION REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. NEW TRANS INSTALLED AND DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY REPLACED TRANS UNDER WARRANTY WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION -------- FRONT SUSPENSION DIVES WHEN BRAKING HAS BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES.STILL HAS THIS PROBLEM EVEN WORSE IS THAT THE FRONT END WOBBLES LEFT TO RIGHT AT 65-70MPH IN GRADUAL TURNS UNSTABLE HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MOTORCYCLE. *AK
Suspension › Rear
Filed Aug 1, 2002IL
MOTORCYCLE REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP AT 40 MPH WENT INTO A SKID AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. TRANSMISSION FAILED. INDIAN MOTORCYCLE REPLACED TRANS TO CORRECT PROBLEM. NEW TRANS INSTALLED AND DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY....FRONT SUSPENSION DIVES WHEN BRAKING AND WOBBLES LEFT TO RIGHT AT 65-70 MPH IN GRADUAL TURNS UNSTABLE AND I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES AND HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.KICKSTAND HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES.KICK STAND AND FLOORBOARDS ARE MOUNTED TOO LOW ON THIS MOTORCYCLE KICKSTAND HITS PAVEMENT ON SHALLOW LEFT TURNS CAUSING THE BIKE TO JUMP UPRIGHT AND CONTROL OF THE TURN IS LOST. FLOORBOARD IS TOO LOW ON RIGHT SIDE OF BIKE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED FOR KICKSTAND IN RIGHT TURNS.I WOULD LIKE THESE CONTROL AND TRANSMISSION DESIGNS INVESTIGATED THE GEOMETRY OF THIS BIKE IS WRONG AND INDIAN AUTHORIZED DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS.
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jul 17, 2002WY
PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR RECALL 02V144000 REPAIRS TO BE DONE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Suspension
Filed Jul 11, 2002MO
THE MOTORCYCLE "WOBBLES" SO BAD IT GOES OUT OF CONTROL.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 10, 2002NE
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MOTORCYCLE WOULD STALL OUT AND DIE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED MOTORCYCLE. *AK THE REAR CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE MISFIRED AND STALL OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE. *YH
Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 25, 2002KY
CONSUMER FIRST CONTACTED DEALER IN MAY OF 2002, CONCERNING RECALL O2V124000. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT SENT PARTS TO DEALER. CONSUMER HAS CALLED INDIAN CO. NUMEROUS TIMES, WILL NOT RETURN HIS CALLS. *AK
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Jun 14, 2002CA
PARTS TO RECALL 01V144000 IS AVAILABLE , BUT MANUFACTURER HAS NOT SENT THEM TO THE DEALERSHIP YET.*AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 5, 2003. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.