2015 Polaris SLINGSHOT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
2,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 36 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 22.2% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
Engine: 8; Power Train: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Suspension: 5; Electrical System: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Steering: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2015: 9; 2016: 8; 2017: 10; 2018: 3; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10713598 · 2015-04-29 (April 29, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE BY SHIFTING DOWN THE CLUTCH AND TURNING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. WHEN THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10713598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10726812 · 2015-06-23 (June 23, 2015)
FROM DAY ONE IVE EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL TO FREQUENT ENGINE FLARES, WHICH IS, WHEN I PRESS THE CLUTCH ALL THE IN WHILE TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE THROTTLE, THE ENGINE RPM WILL HANG AT IT'S CURRENT VALUE AND WILL SOMETIMES INCREASE 500-1000 RPMS AND REMAIN THERE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE REDUCING ON IT'S OWN. AT TIMES I CAN GO THROUGH SEVERAL SHIFTING EVENTS TO HOURS OF NORMAL OPERATION WITHOUT PROBLEMS BUT, THE FLARING HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED ON EVERY RIDE IVE BEEN ON. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO HE RE-FLASHED THE ECU WHICH MADE THE ENGINE RUN SMOOTHER …
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10726812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10836556 · 2016-02-16 (February 16, 2016)
AFTER JUST LESS THAN 3,500 MILES, THE MASTER BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON DURING A NORMAL DRIVE. QUICKLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO GARAGE. FOLLOWED OWNER'S MANUAL GUIDELINES, CHECKED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, NO NEED TO BRING IN FOR INSPECTION IF THERE IS STILL BRAKING. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN WITH THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT, AND IF THE BRAKES DO FAIL, THIS WOULD RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. OVER THE PHONE THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE; IF SO THEN POLA…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10836556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10939025 · 2017-01-02 (January 2, 2017)
BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT ON DASH. ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED. THIS VEHICLE IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 2,500 MILES ON IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS PLAGUE MOST OWNERS OF THE SLINGSHOT WITH THE SLINGSHOT FORUMS WORKING TO TRY TO SOLVE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE SPONGY (AIR IN BRAKE LINES) WHICH HAS NOT BE ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED BY POLARIS. THIS BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND OF COURSE IS OF CONCERN ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10939025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10704198 · 2015-04-07 (April 7, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS:15V022000 (STEERING) AND 15V020000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/02/15*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10704198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10910947 · 2016-10-01 (October 1, 2016)
ON AUGUST 13, 2016 MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING HIS 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT (MODEL # T15AAPFAAB) WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. HIS VEHICLE THEN COLLIDED WITH A CAR BEING DRIVEN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, MY BROTHER DID NOT SURVIVE. SOON AFTER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT HIS VEHICLE MAY BE INCLUDED IT THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 15V-022 FOR LOSS OF STEERING (POLARIS RECALL SLI-15-02). I CONVEYED THIS INFORMATION TO THE LIVONIA, MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS INVESTIGATING THE COLLISION. OFFICER HAYNE, OF THE LIVONIA PD THEN CON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10910947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121816 · 2018-08-23 (August 23, 2018)
ELECTRICAL SHORT/FIRE IN BACKUP CAMERA CAUSING FAILURE IN BREAK LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, ABS, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO, BLINKERS, HORN. VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11121816 at NHTSA ↗