Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Indian Chief, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Electrical system1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Indian Chief.
| 2003300 27 Nov 2003 | Fuel System On certain motorcycles, the gas tank vent tube can become clogged with debris and could cause an interruption of fuel flow to the carburetor and the engine to s… |
| 2003304 27 Nov 2003 | Brakes On certain motorcycles, the rear brake caliper could contact the rotor as a result of a misalignment of the caliper carrier. The rear brake can overheat and fa… |
| 2003305 27 Nov 2003 | Suspension On certain motorcycles, the rear axle is made of a material with a lower than desirable yield strength. Under repeated heavy loads, the rear axle could deform … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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 MOTORCYCLE 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.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER COULD CONTACT THE ROTOR AS A RESULT OF A MISALIGNMENT OF THE CALIPER CARRIER.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE REAR AXLES ARE MADE OF A MATERIAL WITH A LOWER THAN DESIRABLE YIELD STRENGTH.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Indian told its dealers about the 2002 Indian Chief: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635930 | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES CHECKING FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PISTON WRIST PIN RETAINERS. *TT |
| 635928 | SUBJECT REGARDING STARTER REPLACEMENT STARTING PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 10208642 | Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French. |
| 10189626 | EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice. |
| 10030064 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE OIL LEVEL CHECK. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10030026 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL CHECK. MODEL AND MODEL YEARS NOT LISTED. *PE |
| 10030025 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE: THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ON THE MOTORCYCLE CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR THE WEIGHT THE MOTORCYCLE IS CARRYING. TO ADJUST THE SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING, YOU WILL NEED AN APPROPRIATE SPANNER WRENCH. NO MODEL OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10001174 | HEAD STUD/BOLT CLEANING, TORQUE VALUES AND TIGHTENING SEQUENCE. *JB |
| 10001069 | PUSHROD ADJUSTMENT. *TT |
| 10001067 | TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 10001066 | REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTMENT FOR A NOISY MISALIGNED DRIVE BELT. *TT |
| 10000844 | TRANSMISSION PULLEY, DRIVE BELT, AND REAR DRIVE PULLEY REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 10000591 | FLYWHEEL OIL PASSAGE-WAY INSPECTION. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation