The 2002 Indian Scout has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 21,493 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STRUCTURE03V2860002003-08-046,570 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WELD ATTACHING THE FENDER MOUNT TO THE FRONT FORK MAY CRACK AND BREAK.
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
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…
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…
VISIBILITY02V3110002002-11-155,464 affected
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.
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.
SUSPENSION02V1800002002-07-08590 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR AXLES ARE MADE OF A MATERIAL WITH A LOWER THAN DESIRABLE YIELD STRENGTH.
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
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…
SOME MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE A GAS TANK VENTING SYSTEM THAT BECAME CLOGGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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.
Complaints by component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
2
1crashes
STRUCTURE
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
1
1crashes
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“Consumer received recall letters 03v286000 and 03v258000 from indian motorcycles. Dealer refused to honor these recalls. Manufacturer filed bankruptcy.*ak”
“Consumer received recall letters 03v286000 and 03v258000 from indian motorcycles. Dealer refused to honor these recalls. Manufacturer filed bankruptcy.*ak”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE01039 Opened 2001-11-21 · closed 2002-04-30
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…
InvestigationPE03024 Opened 2003-06-04 · closed 2003-08-11
HEADLIGHT SEPARATES
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Indian Scout as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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