2015 Indian Scout

The defect

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2015 Scout N15MSA00AA, N15MSA00AH, N15MSA00AR, N15MSA00AS, N15MSA00BA, N15MSA00BH, N15MSA00BS, N15MSA00CA, and N15MSA00CS motorcycles manufactured May 12, 2014, to April 9, 2015. Due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, the motorcycles may have a reduction in, or a complete loss of, rear brake power.

The risk

A full or partial loss of rear braking power may lengthen the distance needed to slow or stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Indian will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the rear brake master cylinder, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2015. Owners may contact the Indian Motorcycle Consumer Service Department at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-15-01 A/B.

Indian Motorcycle Company · up to 987 vehicles across all model years covered

crash · 449 miles

I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW QUICKLY AND THE REAR BRAKE WAS INOPERABLE. THE FRONT BRAKE LOCKED AND I SKIDDED INTO A GRASSY DITCH. THE BIKE LAID DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THERE WAS COSMETIC DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BIKE BUT THE REAR BRAKE LEVER MOVES FREELY AND WHEN ACTIVATED, THE LEVER STICKS WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. PER THE DEALERSHIP, THE ROD PULLED THROUGH THE WASHER. THE DEALERSHIP SENT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM- MASTER CYLINDER, CALIPER, LINES, AND PEDAL- TO THE COMPANY AT THEIR REQUEST. THE COMPANY SAFETY DEPARTMENT CLAIMED THAT SINCE THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BIKE, THE PEDAL WAS DAMAGED AND NOT FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL PREVIOUSLY AND IT HAD …

NHTSA complaint 10734986, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

1,500 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Indian Scout motorcycle equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Commander 2, Tire Size: 150/80/60, DOT Number: W8F700BX2623. The contact stated that while riding at speeds between 50 - 60 MPH, the motorcycle experienced a light hopping and became slightly unstable. The contact measured the tires and determined that the front tire was out of round. The contact stated that the tire was a replacement tire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,500. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint 11648102. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

10,000 miles

WHEN DECELERATING FOR NORMAL STOPS, TURNS, OR SLOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE WILL DECREASE RPMS UNTIL IT REACHES ABOUT 2300 RPM, THEN IT EITHER HANGS AT THAT RPM OR SURGES INTO AN UNCONTROLLED RPM CHANE OF 1700 TO 2400. THIS UP AAND DOWN RPM CHANGE HAS LASTED FOR 30-45 SECONDS SOMETIMES EVEN LONGER. THE RPM WILL ALSO REMAIN AT HIGH IDLE APX 1500 BEFORE RETURNING TO IDLE OF 1100 RPM. THIS OCCURS DURING EVERY RIDE. GIVING THE THROTTLE A QUICK TWIST WILL NOT NECESSARILY DECREASE SPEED THIS CONDITION IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN THE RIDER BEING FORCED TO TAKE A TURN WIDER THAN EXPECTED (POSSIBLY BEING FORCED INTO AN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE), REAR …

NHTSA complaint 11074594, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

600 miles

FOR OVER A YEAR NOW MY SCOUT WILL UNCONTROLLABLY REV IN LOW GEARS AFTER GETTING HOT. THIS HAPPENS AT STOPS AND GOING INTO TURNS MOST COMMONLY. MULTIPLE TIMES IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK AND IF I WERE A LESS EXPERIENCED RIDER I WOULD HAVE. I HAVE CONTACTED MULTIPLE DEALERS TO ATTEMPT AN UNDER WARRANTY FIX AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY HAVE FIX AND THAT THEY ARENT EVEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint 10870222. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

4,750 miles

WHEN DECELERATING FOR NORMAL STOPS, TURNS, OR SLOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE WILL DECREASE RPMS UNTIL IT REACHES ABOUT 2300 RPM, THEN IT EITHER HANGS AT THAT RPM OR SURGES TO ABOUT 2600-2700 RPM AND HANGS THERE FOR UP TO 30 SECONDS. IF I BLIP THE THROTTLE RAPIDLY 2-3 TIMES (TWIST IT OPEN AND LET IT GO REPEATEDLY) THE ENGINE SPEED WILL "UNSTICK" AND THE ENGINE WILL DECREASE SPEED IS NORMAL.M THIS CONDITION IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN THE RIDER BEING FORCED TO TAKE A TURN WIDER THAN EXPECTED (POSSIBILTY OF BEING FORCED INTO AN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE), REAR END COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU, OR PERHAPS LOSING CONTROL AND LAYING E …

NHTSA complaint 10865917, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

300 miles

MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCES REPEATED THROTTLE SURGES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE. PROBLEM WORSENS WITH INCREASED AMBIENT TEMPS DURING SUMMER MONTHS. SURGES ARE MOST EVIDENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW TO A STOP OR INITIATE A TURN.

NHTSA complaint 10865471. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

3,000 miles

WHEN COMING TO A STOP , THE ENGINE SPEED OR RPM WILL HANG UP AT AROUND 2500 RPM FOR SEVERAL SECONDS,,,INSTEAD OF GOING TO IDLE RPM SPEED.THIS CAUSES THE OPERATOR TO HAVE TO PULL IN THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE MORE AGGRESIVLY THAN NORMAL...ONE DAY THIS IS GOING TO KIL SOMEONE. NORMALY A MOTORCYCLE ENGINE WILL GO TO IDLE SPPED WHEN CLOSING THE THROTTLE IN COMING TO A STOP. MY 2015 INDIAN SCOUT WILL HOLD THE THROTTLE AT ABOVE IDLE SPEED,,,AROUND 2500 RPM , WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP. MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP,,,, UNLES I PULL IN THE CLUTCH,, WHICH NEGATES THE ENGINES ABOVE NRMAL THROTTLE POSITION. THE THROTTLE HAS NO CABLES,,, THIS IS A "FLY BY WIRE " THROTTLE SYSTEM...SOMETHING IN …

NHTSA complaint 10766686, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.