- 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
2002 Indian Scout Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2002 Indian Scout with NHTSA, most often about the lights (5) and the fuel system (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in August 2003 for the structure. For comparison, the 2001 has 9 and the 2003 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Scout year, for its age
#257 most complained-about 2002 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2002 Indian Scout problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2002 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, 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 gas tank and push a small amount of gas out of the fuel filler cap seal.
- The risk
- Fuel leakage in the present of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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 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 rear axles are made of a material with a lower than desirable yield strength.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fuel can escape from the tank, increasing the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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 1-408-846-7228.
- The problem
- Some motorcycles may have a gas tank venting system that became clogged during production.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- All motorcycles have been inspected and, if necessary, corrected. This campaign is 100% completed.
What owners say
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6 complaints about the 2002 Indian Scout
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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 expense. Later, the he was able to locate a recall online pertaining to the same type of failure for his year, make and model (nhtsa campaign id number: 03v258000: exterior lighting: headlights), however the manufacturer...
Read the full complaint
stated the company was under new ownership and they did not have any liability for any recall repairs. They advised making the repairs at his own expense. To date, the contact has not been able to have the correct repairs made under the above mentioned recall campaign. The failure and current mileages were 6,800. Updated 06/25/10.8Jb
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
Consumer received recall letters 03v286000 and 03v258000 from indian motorcycles. Dealer refused to honor these recalls. Manufacturer filed bankruptcy.*Ak
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 mph. The motorcycle was again taken to the dealer for repairs. 08/30/03 The consumer received the motorcycle after three months without the recall being performed. After the consumer insisted that the recall was...
Read the full complaint
why the engine failed and caused the crash, they lengthen the tube with inferior materials that became pinched in the wire tires. This resulted in the bike stalling and fuel leaking from the gas cap. After the motorcycle was returned to the consumer after three months, the master cylinder was leaking brake fluid. The transmission spilled large amounts of fluid directly in front of the rear tire. 09/02/03 The consumer received two more recalls regarding the fender and headlight falling off, however the dealer stated they did not known anything about the recalls. *Ph *jb *sc
Dealership was refusing to honor recall 03v258000 concerning headlight bracket breaking. Dealership stated that they didn't perform any indian motorcycle recall repairs. *Ak
Consumer noticed a crack in the vehicles head light, where it connects to the front of the vehicle. The dealership replaced the part, but it cracked again. Ts the head light bracket continuously breaks. The brake dust boot had fallen off, and the rear shocks leaked. Scc
Indian Scout: every year compared
All Scout years2002 Indian Scout vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Indian Scout | 6 | 7 | F | |
| 2002 Indian Spirit | 5 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2002 Indian Chief | 4 | 4 | D | 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 2002 Indian Scout
Does the 2002 Indian Scout have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2002 Indian Scout: structure (August 2003); headlights (July 2003); delivery (April 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 2002 Indian Scout?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the lights (5), fuel system (2), body, doors & structure (2).
How many complaints has the 2002 Indian Scout had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 30, 2002 and the latest on March 12, 2010. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2002 Indian Scout a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 18 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 2002 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