- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the weld attaching the fender mount to the front fork may crack and break.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2001 Indian Scout Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2001 Indian Scout with NHTSA, most often about the lights (4) and the suspension (4). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in August 2003 for the structure. For comparison, the 2000 has 0 and the 2002 has 6.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Scout year, for its age
#197 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2001 Indian Scout problems
Share of all 9 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2001 Indian Scout recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could cause a loss of visibility to the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new bracket. Owner notification is expected to begin during august 2003. Owners should contact imc at 1-888-899-2997.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This condition can potentially cause the regulator to catch on fire.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this happens while the motorcycle is in use, the rider could be injured by the windshield.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: motorcycles. The inner tube being used on the front tire was under-sized.
- The risk
- This condition can cause possible deflation of the tube, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace existing inner front tire tube with a larger tube.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Without the additional insulation, the motorcycle poses a risk to safety, with possible interruption of the ignition system.
- The fix
- Dealers will install additional insulation on the positive battery cable.
What owners say
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9 complaints about the 2001 Indian Scout
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
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
Consumer received recall 03v286000 concerning fender mounts, and recall 03v258000 concerning headlight bracket breakage. Dealer refused to honor the recalls.*Ak
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
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
Headlights fell off motorcycle while driving 55-60 mph. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.*Ak
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
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
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...
Read the full complaint
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)
Indian Scout: every year compared
All Scout years2001 Indian Scout vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Indian Scout | 9 | 7 | F | |
| 2001 Indian Chief | 10 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2001 Indian Spirit | 4 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Indian Chief Centennial | 1 | 1 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2001 Indian Scout
Does the 2001 Indian Scout have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2001 Indian Scout: structure (August 2003); headlights (July 2003); alternator / generator / regulator (February 2003); windshield (November 2002) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Indian Scout?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the lights (4), suspension (4), body, doors & structure (3).
How many complaints has the 2001 Indian Scout had?
9 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 25, 2001 and the latest on November 5, 2003. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2001 Indian Scout a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Indian Scout year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Indian Scout years have the most complaints?
2001 (9), 2015 (8), 2002 (6). See every Indian Scout year compared.
What should I do if my 2001 Indian Scout has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data