2023 Polestar POLESTAR 2: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
114 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
12,505 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera is the most frequently named component, appearing in 81 of 114 complaints (71.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 4.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.9% |
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 | 81 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 6 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 81; Unknown Or Other: 11; Electrical System: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 7; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 6; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 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: 1; 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 (1). 112 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 81 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2023: 3; 2024: 21; 2025: 81; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11550030 · 2023-10-15 (October 15, 2023)
The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk apron, causing the emergency braking system to trigger. This has happened often enough to the point where I disable the emergency braking system on every startup.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11555788 · 2023-11-18 (November 18, 2023)
Vehicle chassis vibrates noticeably at speeds around 30 mph and 65 mph, which is translated to the steering wheel. The vibration is of a high frequency, almost akin to a sander, and is most prominent under acceleration or deceleration. It's been present since I took delivery of the car in December of 2022 and can be felt on every drive. Polestar can reproduce the problem in other Polestar 2s and claims this vibration is within spec, but it feels like a defective drive shaft, which is quite worrying. There are many reports of this issue across t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11555788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558510 · 2023-12-05 (December 5, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Polestar Polestar2. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was shifted in reverse(R) the back over prevention camera screen was black. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determine that an unknown software update needed to be performed. The software update was performed four times, but the failure persisted. The contact was provided a 2023 Polestar Polestar2 loaner, and the vehicle also experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure …
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11558510 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11568932 · 2024-01-31 (January 31, 2024)
The vehicle improperly sensed an impending rear collision when there was no vehicle present. The vehicle entered a mode where the electronic seatbelt tensioners aggressively pulled the occupants and did not release until the seatbelt latches were depressed. This happened in traffic. The occupants sustained soft tissue injuries. The manufacturer refused to acknowledge the situation.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11568932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11572533 · 2024-02-17 (February 17, 2024)
I RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE AS A RENTAL FROM HERTZ WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR THE "DRIVE TO WORKSHOP SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT" WAS ILLUMINATED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11572533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11580797 · 2024-04-02 (April 2, 2024)
Backup camera often turns off and on 3 to 6 times when backing up after first starting the car. If can be off for 5 to 20 seconds when it flashes off and it all happens within a 2min window. It makes it very dangerous when backing up. This is not a new issue as I’ve had it for over a year and has been reported by others on forum websites for the car. It seem related to the infortainment system fully as the screen is shared with it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11580797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11586906 · 2024-05-03 (May 3, 2024)
Upon putting the vehicle into reverse, the backup camera takes an insurmountably long time to engage and when it does, the image it produces frequently flashes for several seconds before stabilizing, rendering it useless - particularly with pedestrians or vehicles behind the car. Recent OTA updates have exacerbated this problem, which poses a pretty severe safety risk in a car with such limited rear visibility, and after researching the problem online, it's pretty clear that it's an endemic issue to the car and can likely be remedied through so…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11586906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11587089 · 2024-05-05 (May 5, 2024)
The backup camera seemingly blinks just as you begin backing up and at random times as the vehicle is backing up causing vision to be lost
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11587089 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V476000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 2023-07-12 (July 12, 2023)
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2023 Polestar 2 vehicles. The front left lower ball joint may have been incorrectly installed, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the steering knuckle.
Consequence: The control arm disconnecting from the steering knuckle can cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint fastening bolt as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 10, 2023. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R10245.
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 ↗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 ↗