Consumer received on 20,23003 a recall notice from the manufacturer the federal safety agency# 03-v-286-000: the weld attaching the fender mount to the front fork may crack and break. Call the dealer to arranged an appointment guest what dealer stated manufacturer is out of business and you must paid for the recall.
The worst 2001 Indian Spirit problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Suspension1
Recalls 4
Structure
- 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
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- 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: windshield
- 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: front
- 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
See all 4 recalls for the 2001 Indian Spirit
Defect investigations
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 with teardrop headlight bucket.
PE03024
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 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 Spirit 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and...
- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
- Indian motorcycle: transmission oil level check
- Indian motorcycle: engine oil level check
What 2001 Indian Spirit owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I currently (purchased 9/2001) own a 2001 indian spirit motorcycle purchased from thomas automall in coon rapids, mn. The engine leaks oil through the oil breather/carbuerator blow by quite profusely. I have had the bike in at least 5 times (I do have documentation) for this problem. He dealers (1 in minneapolis and 3 in phoenix) have all stated that the engine and it's design (for performance) will cause an oil leak. I have recently sent an email to the engine builder (s&s motors in viola, wi) notifying them of the problem. My email was forwarded to indian motorcycle company in which they have replied that they realize the problem but due to epa standards (their written quote from the vp of service was "we are running a fine legal line" here) and performance requirements an oil leak can be expected. (I do have copies of the email and reply fyi). Here's where I need your attention (and that of other owner/riders) is not only is the oil leak an environmental issue it is a significant safety issue. The oil comes out of the breather/blow by system onto the lower portion of the engine/frame, exhaust system, rear brake and last but not least, the rear tire. I have almost dumped the bike several times due to greasy rear tire and the rear brake performs poorly. Indian motorcycle company and it's dealers cannot correct the problem as stated. I am looking to you for assistance in making these people accountable. Appreciate your prompt reply and attention. Sincerely, jerry anderson.
The vehicle weaves out of control at variable speeds, the 2002 models all have had rear swing arm redesigned and strenghtened but these will not fit earlier models. I believe this weaving is caused by the swing arm flexing. This will cause crashes in the right set of circumstances. I also believe the manufaturer knows this and that is why they have changed the design, but have not corrected this in the earlier models. This weaker swing arm design was used on 1999 to 2001 spirits, scout, and chief models. It happened to me several times on flat dry road surfaces with no other vehicles infront to cause wind disturbance, and straight away roads. Flexing becomes worse on turns. The change of design shows a knowlege on the part of the manufacturer, as well as there 2002 model brochures stating the renforcement of the new swing arm, that this problem is know but ignored.
Headlights shut off without prior warning, and there was an electrical problem with battery. Dealership has replaced battery, and problem continued.
Compare the 2001 Indian Spirit
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Questions about the 2001 Indian Spirit
Is the 2001 Indian Spirit reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2001 Indian Spirit, close to a typical Spirit model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Indian Spirit?
Body and structure, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2001 Indian Spirit have?
4 recalls, covering structure, electrical system and visibility.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Indian Spirit body?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V286000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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