2001 Indian Scout

Routine

Owners filed 9 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the exterior lighting › headlights. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Rear2
100
Suspension2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Structure › Body › Bumpers1
000
Structure1
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights1
000
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator1
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Structure03V286000
Filed Aug 4, 20036,570 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WELD ATTACHING THE FENDER MOUNT TO THE FRONT FORK MAY CRACK AND BREAK.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights03V258000
Filed Jul 22, 20036,173 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

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.

Visibility › Windshield02V311000
Filed Nov 15, 20025,464 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Suspension › Front02V176000
Filed Jul 2, 20021,189 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Tires › Tube00V251000
Filed Sep 3, 2000418 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE INNER TUBE BEING USED ON THE FRONT TIRE WAS UNDER-SIZED.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE POSSIBLE DEFLATION OF THE TUBE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE EXISTING INNER FRONT TIRE TUBE WITH A LARGER TUBE.

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables00V214000
Filed Aug 7, 2000184 vehiclesIndian Motorcycle Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. POSSIBLE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CHAFFING CAN CAUSE THE CABLE TO GROUND TO FRAME, ALLOWING POSSIBLE INTERRUPTION TO THE IGNITION SYSTEM. MOTORCYCLE CAN CRANK, BUT NOT START.

Risk. WITHOUT THE ADDITIONAL INSULATION, THE MOTORCYCLE POSES A RISK TO SAFETY, WITH POSSIBLE INTERRUPTION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL INSULATION ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 5, 2003NY

THREE RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE 2001, INDIAN, MOTORCYCLE(S); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALLS CANNOT BE HONORED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. *AK *SCC *JB

Structure
Filed Nov 4, 2003TX

THE RECALL REPAIRS ON MOTORCYCLE HAD NOT BEEN DONE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. THE DEALER HAD THE PARTS, BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT GET REIMBURSED. *AK RECALL NUMBERS; 03V258000 (HEADLIGHTS), 03V039000 (VOLTAGE REGULATOR), AND 03V280000 (MOUNTING BRACKET). *SCC *JB

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Sep 30, 2003TX

RECALL 03 V 039 000/VOLTAGE REGULATOR; 03 V 258 000/HEADLIGHT BRACKET BREAKAGE, AND RECALL 03 V 286 000/FENDER MOUNT: CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER, INDIAN MOTORCYCLE OF NORTH TEXAS TO HONOR THE THREE RECALLS. ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. *AK

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Sep 30, 2003CA

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V286000 CONCERNING FENDER MOUNTS, AND RECALL 03V258000 CONCERNING HEADLIGHT BRACKET BREAKAGE. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALLS.*AK

Suspension › RearCrash
Filed Jun 16, 2003AL

WHILE TRAVELING 50-55 MPH AND MAKING A TURN REAR OF VEHICLE TRAVELED OUT OF CONTROL, TOSSING CONSUMER OFF TO THE GROUND. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, SWING ARM BOWED WAS OUT 8 SPOKES ,SNAPPED IN RIM. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 17, 2002SC

HEADLIGHTS FELL OFF MOTORCYCLE WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Suspension › Rear
Filed Apr 4, 2002AZ

THE SWING ARM THTA HOLDS THE REAR TIRE IN PLACE WOBBLES EXCESIVELY IN TURNS AT 45MPH OR HIGHER, THE MANUFACTURER CHANGED THE SWING ARM IN THE NEXT MODEL YEAR CITING FAILURE OF WELDS, BUT HAS NOT RESPONDED TO REQUESTS TO REPLACE CURRENT SWING ARMS. *AK

Suspension
Filed Apr 3, 2002MA

RIDING THIS MOTORCYCLE AT NORMAL SPEEDS, THERE IS A SUBSTANTIALLY DANGEROUS "WOBBLE" FELT. IT FEELS AS IF THE MOTORCYCLE WILL COME OUT FROM UNDER NEATH YOU.*AK

Suspension
Filed Nov 25, 2001CA

MY PROBLEM IS THIS INDIAN MOTORCYCLE RIDE IS UNSTABLE. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE WWW THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON PLACE WITH A MAJORITY OF INDIAN MOTORCYCLES. I NOTICED THAT OTHER RIDERS REPORT THAT THEIR MOTORCYCLES WOBBLE OR SHIMMY TOO. THIS UNSTABILITY MUST BE INVESTIGATED. I BELIEVE FROM READING MANY REPORTS FROM OTHERS MOTORCYCLE OWNERS THE ISSUE LAYS IN THE FRAME ASSEMBLY, WHEELS AND TIRES. I READ EVEN ONE DEATH HAS BEEN REPORTED. THE INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND ARE VERY AWARE ON IT. THE COMPANY HAS MADE DESIGN CHANGES ON THEIR 2002 MODEL TO AVOID FUTURE ISSUES, BUT THAT DOES NOTHING FOR THOSE WITH THE CURRENT PROBLEM.*AK (DOT NUMBER: AT3FC4200 TIRESIZE: 4.10H19)

9 of 9 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20254100Routine
20231000Routine
20221100Routine
20211100Routine
20190300Routine
20182200Routine
20170200Routine
20166100Routine
20158200Routine
20032400Routine
20026700Routine
2001 — this page9700Routine
20000100Routine
19990100Routine

Compare every Scout year →

Reading this record

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: Aug 4, 2003. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.