2016 Polaris SLINGSHOT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
1,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 25 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 24.0% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Power Train: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Steering: 6; Suspension: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Electrical System: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 7 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 | 1 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2015: 1; 2016: 8; 2017: 7; 2018: 3; 2019: 4; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10789404 · 2015-11-09 (November 9, 2015)
BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS DOWN TO THE FLOOD WHEN APPLIED. DEALER STATES THAT ALL SLINGSHOTS ACT THIS WAY. THE PEDAL WILL COME BACK UP IF PUMPED. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER. NO AIR IN THE LINE. THE PROBLEM MUST BE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.. WHEN TRAVELING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEED AND BRAKES NEED TO BE APPLIED, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING EFFICACY IN COMPROMISED. I CALLED POLARIS, BUT NOBODY HAS RETURNED MY CALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10939575 · 2017-01-04 (January 4, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V752000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V754000 (FUEL SYSTEM), AND 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10939575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853075 · 2016-04-02 (April 2, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, EPAS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED. PULLED OVER, SHUT THE SLINGSHOT OFF, WAITED AWHILE, AND THEN RESTARTED, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR 1/8TH OF A MILE AND THEN LIGHT WENT OUT, AND THEN POWER STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. BOUGHT SLINGSHOT ON 02/25/2016.
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10875132 · 2016-08-23 (August 23, 2016)
2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES OUT OF POSITION WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT WOULD FLY BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT SEEMED TO REFLECT A CHANGE IN THE STEERING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10875132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11204082 · 2019-04-27 (April 27, 2019)
DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DAY/NIGHT, THE POLARIS SLINGSHOT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD FAIL AND LOST OF ALL LIGHTING VISIBILITY FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS DRIVING BEHIND ME WOULD RANDOMLY HAPPEN MAKING ME A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD. THE REAR WIRING HARNESS FUSE BOX BURNS OUT RANDOMLY GETTING VERY HOT AND SPARKING WHILE DRIVING AND BURNING OUT THE PLASTIC ON THE FUSE BOX.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,335 miles reported. Look up ODI 11204082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437793 · 2021-10-22 (October 22, 2021)
The contact owns a 2016 Polaris Slingshot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 20 MPH, the power steering failed, and the vehicle drove onto a sidewalk without warning. The contact called the manufacturer and referred him to a local dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle remained at the dealer for a month. The contact was informed that the battery was replaced. The contact stated that upon return of the vehicle, the turn sign…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11437793 at NHTSA ↗