2018 Polaris SLINGSHOT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 50.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Air Bags: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (1). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2019: 3; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11205687 · 2019-05-06 (May 6, 2019)
THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PERSONALLY INSPECTED WHILE STATIONARY. I HAVE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT WEAR DIFFERENCE IN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WHILE IT IS BEING BEDDED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE 2 DIFFERENT FRONT ROTOR TYPES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE RIGHT ROTOR IS A SINGLE PIECE ROTOR WHILE THE LEFT ROTOR IS THE DUAL-PIECE ROTOR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE SLR VERSION. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, THE SINGLE ROTOR MINIMUM THICKNESS IS FRONT 4.5MM, REAR 6.5MM WHILE THE DUAL-ROTOR MINIMUM THICKNESS IS FRONT 19MM, REAR 19M. THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268733 · 2019-10-15 (October 15, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER FRIEND WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF A 2018 POLARIS SLINGSHOT EQUIPPED WITH LEXANI 101WXL TIRES, SIZE: 515/25DR22 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE THE SEAT BELT WAS FASTENED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, A FRACTURED PELVIS, A BROKEN BONE IN THE RIGHT ELBOW AND LOWER BACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE, STITCHES A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11268733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11278927 · 2019-11-08 (November 8, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V750000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED RIDENOW POWERSPORTS PEORIA & INDIAN MOTORCYCLE PEORIA (8546 W LUDLOW DR, SUITE 100, PEORIA, AZ 85381, [phone removed]) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER UNTIL DECEMBER 5, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: C/6129161T0C1H6. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11278927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338633 · 2020-07-10 (July 10, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V750000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FREEDOM POWERSPORTS WEATHERFORD (3202 EAST INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 20, HUDSON OAKS, TX 76087; (817)241-2031) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE BETWEEN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020. UNTIL THEN, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT ST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11338633 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V195000 · Seats | Seat Belts
Reported: 2018-03-26 (March 26, 2018)
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling all 2015-2018 Polaris Slingshot motorcycles. The driver-seat and passenger-seat seat belt and seat back anchoring bracket may have been improperly welded. Additionally, differences in the seat assembly may prevent proper latching of the seat slider, allowing the driver's seat to move unexpectedly.
Consequence: If the seat belt buckle or seat back detach from the seat base, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. If the driver's seat unexpectedly moves, it can cause the driver to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket and seat back welds, and the seat slider latching function. If the weld is missing or incomplete, or if the slider doesn't latch properly, the seat bases will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V321000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 2018-05-16 (May 16, 2018)
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Polaris Slingshot, Slingshot SL, Slingshot SLR, Slingshot SL Icon, and Slingshot GT LE motorcycles. The brake pedals may have been incorrectly installed, allowing the brake pedal to separate from the brake master cylinder.
Consequence: If the brake pedal separates from the brake master cylinder, it would cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engagement of the brake pedal retaining clip and reassemble it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 5, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-02.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V531000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 2018-08-15 (August 15, 2018)
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot S, Slingshot SL, Slingshot GT LE, and Slingshot SLR motorcycles. In the event of a crash, the seatbelt retractor on the side opposite of the impact may separate, preventing the seatbelt from locking.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt does not lock, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit that prevents the retractor from separating in the event of a crash, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-03.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V185000 · Seats | Seat Belts
Reported: 2019-03-07 (March 7, 2019)
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. The driver-seat and passenger-seat seat belt and seat back anchoring bracket may have been improperly welded. Additionally, differences in the seat assembly may prevent proper latching of the seat slider, allowing the driver's seat to move unexpectedly.
Consequence: If the seat belt buckle or seat back detach from the seat base, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. If the driver's seat unexpectedly moves, it can cause the driver to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket and seat back welds, and the seat slider latching function. If the weld is missing or incomplete, or if the slider doesn't latch properly, the seat bases will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 11, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-01. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 18V-195.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V750000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Reported: 2019-10-18 (October 18, 2019)
Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.
Consequence: Damaged terminals may result in the loss of forward and rear lighting, instrument cluster gauges, or power steering assist. Any of these scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery fuse block terminals and relocate the 50 amp chassis fuse, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris's number for this recall is T-19-01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗