2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
147 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera is the most frequently named component, appearing in 106 of 147 complaints (72.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 106 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 13 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 5 |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 4 |
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 106; Unknown Or Other: 13; Visibility/Wiper: 13; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 10; Electrical System: 9; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 5; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 4
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). 146 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 115 |
| 2026 | 12 |
2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 17; 2025: 115; 2026: 12
Pattern summary
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 11450295 · 2022-02-03 (February 3, 2022)
Vehicle failed to alert visually and with a sound if you don’t wear your seat belt and start driving. When you start the vehicle, it will tell you to buckle your seat belt. If you fail to do this and start driving, the alert will disappear and there is no warning light or chime telling you to fasten your seat belt for the rest of the drive until you restart the vehicle
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493745 · 2022-11-16 (November 16, 2022)
While driving and using my horn the vehicles horn and airbag module fell off. Rendering the horn inoperable and the airbag dangerously loose. Trying to get Polestar to replace the whole module.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11531745 · 2023-07-12 (July 12, 2023)
While turning at moderate speed into a parking lot across traffic, a rear passenger side suspension component (potentially lower control arm) failed, causing excessive toe and camber on both sides of the rear axle as the components shifted around. At this point, the car stopped driving straight, and crabbed to the side aggressively. It seems to me that some suspension component is either at the design limit in this application and received enough stress to fail during normal operation, or a manufacturing defect wasn't caught and failed over t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11531745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11588376 · 2024-05-13 (May 13, 2024)
The backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. The image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. On some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. It happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. As a federally mandated safety device with very specific operating parameters I do believe this component is non-compliant and has become a persistent issue for me and other owners.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11588376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11588750 · 2024-05-14 (May 14, 2024)
The rear/backup camera is unstable when in reverse, backing up. The camera cuts in and out repeatedly as the car moves and sometimes switches back and forth to the 360 view over and over. It can stay black for almost 2 seconds at a time!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11588750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11592237 · 2024-06-03 (June 3, 2024)
When engaging reverse, the rear view camera feed either cuts out intermittently or never turns on. Without it there is also no way to have a visual indication of incoming rear cross traffic while reversing. This issue happens daily and makes it very dangerous to reverse due to the limited visibility through the small rear window of the vehicle. Often when the camera DOES work, the video feed may freeze or be laggy which causes a false sense of safety when relying on it for visibility. I have attached a still from a video of what this looks lik…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11592237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11594675 · 2024-06-16 (June 16, 2024)
When first getting started for the day and backing up the backup camera cuts in and out while backing up in an unsafe manner. This is repeatable almost every time I back out of the garage.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11594675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11594767 · 2024-06-17 (June 17, 2024)
The backup camera display is constantly turning on and off while reversing the car. This puts the occupants in the vehicle at risk due to the car's poor rear visibility. The display worked flawlessly when the car was first delivered, but one of the monthly software updates seems to have broken this part of the operating system.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11594767 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.
21V110000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery:Management System/Energy Control Module (Bms/Becm):Software
Reported: 2021-02-24 (February 24, 2021)
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Polestar 2 vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.
Consequence: A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Polestar will notify owners, and the software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2021. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R10079.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V477000 · Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Software | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2024-06-26 (June 26, 2024)
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Polestar 2 vehicles. The Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) software may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Polestar has released an over-the-air IHU software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1016.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V280000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
Reported: 2025-04-25 (April 25, 2025)
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Polestar 2 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1056. Vehicles in this recall that were previously repaired under 24V-477 will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V409000 · Service Brakes | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module:Software
Reported: 2025-07-02 (July 2, 2025)
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021 and 2024 Polestar 2 vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "One Pedal Drive," the vehicle may lose brake function.
Consequence: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use "One Pedal Drive" until the repair has been completed. Polestar has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1061.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V615000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
Reported: 2025-09-15 (September 15, 2025)
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Polestar 2 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 4, 2026. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1069. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 20, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recalls 24V477 and 25V280. Vehicles previously repaired under those recalls will need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗