By year
Owner complaints about GEM vehicles peaked at 8 in 2002
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2002 to 2026. 2026 runs through October.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints and recalls files. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Make
GEM
The complete NHTSA record for GEM vehicles: owner complaints, recall campaigns, defect investigations and manufacturer communications, for every model and model year on file.
Most GEM recalls are filed by Polaris Industries, part of Gem.
Owner complaints in the last five years533 on file in all, across 17 models
Recall campaigns142 in five years
Severity index15.2Crash, fire, injury or death per 100 complaints
Investigations143 service bulletins
Components
Electrical system draws the most owner complaints about GEM vehicles, 42% of them
Share of all owner complaints on file, by component.
Source: NHTSA ODI.
Models
The NEV has the most complaints of any GEM model
Every GEM model with complaints or recalls on file, by complaints. Counts are not rates: NHTSA publishes no sales volumes.
| Model | Model years | Complaints | Severity index | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEV | 1999 to 2009 | 13 | 15.4 | 8 | 10 |
| E-825 | 2000 to 2001 | 7 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 |
| E4 | 2002 to 2025 | 5 | 40.0 | 18 | 12 |
| E2 | 2009 to 2025 | 4 | 0.0 | 24 | 13 |
| 825 | 2002 | 1 | 100.0 | 0 | 1 |
| E825 | 2001 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| GEM | 2005 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Elxd | 2009 to 2025 | 0 | None | 23 | 13 |
| E6 | 2009 to 2025 | 0 | None | 18 | 12 |
| EL | 2009 to 2016 | 0 | None | 10 | 8 |
| E2S | 2010 to 2013 | 0 | None | 3 | 3 |
| E4S | 2012 to 2015 | 0 | None | 3 | 3 |
| E6S | 2012 to 2015 | 0 | None | 3 | 3 |
| ES | 2009 to 2015 | 0 | None | 3 | 4 |
| E2 XLD | 2010 to 2011 | 0 | None | 2 | 2 |
| E2L | 2010 to 2011 | 0 | None | 2 | 2 |
| EL XD | 2009 | 0 | None | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA ODI. Recall counts add campaigns across model years, so a campaign covering three years counts three times.
Latest recalls
Recent campaigns listing a GEM product
- 25V-380 Jun 23, 2025
Retaining fasteners between the ball joint and the hub strut may have been improperly tightened, which can result in ball joint separation from…
Suspension · 5,353 vehicles - 24V-971 Dec 26, 2024
Mounting screws between the ball joint and the hub strut may have been improperly tightened, resulting in ball joint separation from the wheel
Suspension · 243 vehicles - 18V-485 Jul 19, 2018
Lower main frame tube may crack which can result in failure of the secondary upper cab frame
Structure · 1,946 vehicles - 18V-484 Jul 19, 2018
Drive mode switch can send an incorrect signal, causing the vehicle to become inoperative or go in the opposite direction than intended
Electrical system · 2,110 vehicles - 17V-279 Apr 26, 2017
Lug nuts on the front wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a front wheel detaching from the vehicle
Wheels · 1,254 vehicles - 16V-884 Dec 8, 2016
Drive mode switch can send an incorrect signal, causing the vehicle to go in the opposite direction than intended
Electrical system · 1,644 vehicles - 15V-820 Dec 7, 2015
Seat belts in the affected vehicles have retractor mechanisms that may fail, causing the seat belt to be stuck in one position
Seat belts · 1,364 vehicles - 15V-239 Apr 22, 2015
Affected vehicles have frame welds between the cab and cargo bed that may crack
Structure · 628 vehicles - 13V-003 Jan 4, 2013
Parking brake has mechanical components which may wear prematurely and prevent the brake from engaging
Brakes · 4,394 vehicles - 10V-080 Mar 4, 2010
Parking brake cable may have been improperly crimped
Brakes · 142 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.