Check a VIN

2001 Indian Scout problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Indian Scout is lights. It has 4.5 times the complaints of a typical Scout model year.

Typical year4.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
9
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
4
Worst area
Lights

The worst 2001 Indian Scout problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Lights
    4
  • Suspension
    4
  • Body
    3
  • Electrical
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Lights
    4
  • Suspension
    4
  • Body
    3
  • Electrical
    2

Recalls 7

StructureReported August 4, 2003 · 6,570 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 03V286000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported July 22, 2003 · 6,173 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 03V258000 · Recall details

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorReported February 10, 2003 · 7,947 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 03V039000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshieldReported November 15, 2002 · 5,464 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 02V311000 · Recall details

Suspension: frontReported July 2, 2002 · 1,189 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 02V176000 · Recall details

Tires: tubeReported September 3, 2000 · 418 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 00V251000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported August 7, 2000 · 184 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 00V214000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 2001 Indian Scout

Defect investigations

Headlight separatesOpened June 4, 2003, closed August 11, 2003

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 with teardrop headlight bucket.

PE03024

Rear suspension collapseOpened November 21, 2001, closed April 30, 2002

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 the machine's weight carrying capacity and the resulting loads break the shock mounting brackets and/or bolts.indian is recalling the subject motorcycles to install shock absorbers from progressive suspension.the progressives have a greater load carrying capabilty and may be identified by the gold color.with indian's recall, odi is closing this pe.

PE01039

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Indian Scout 4

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2001 Indian Scout owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 5, 2003 · NY

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

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Body, Electrical · TX

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

Filed Sep 30, 2003 · Body, Lights · CA

Consumer received recall 03v286000 concerning fender mounts, and recall 03v258000 concerning headlight bracket breakage. Dealer refused to honor the recalls.

Filed Sep 30, 2003 · Body, Electrical · TX

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 the federal safety agency to assist in this matter.

Filed Jun 16, 2003 · Suspension · AL · crash

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.

Filed Sep 17, 2002 · Lights · SC

Headlights fell off motorcycle while driving 55-60 MPH. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Apr 4, 2002 · Suspension · AZ

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.

Filed Apr 3, 2002 · Suspension · MA

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.

Filed Nov 25, 2001 · Suspension · CA

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)

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2001 Indian Scout before you buy

Compare the 2001 Indian Scout

Other model years

20012002200320152016201820212022202320252026

Questions about the 2001 Indian Scout

Is the 2001 Indian Scout reliable?

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2001 Indian Scout, 4.5 times a typical Scout model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Indian Scout?

Lights, with 4 complaints. Next is suspension (4).

How many recalls does the 2001 Indian Scout have?

7 recalls, covering structure, exterior lighting and electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Indian Scout lights?

Yes, 1 recall: 03V258000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Share your experience with the 2001 Indian Scout

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 Indian Scout?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN