Motorcycle, gasoline, RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jan 26, 2015 to Sep 25, 2021.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19V-750 | Oct 18, 2019 | Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals | Electrical system | 31,987 | Repair or modification |
| 18V-809 | Nov 15, 2018 | Back-up camera may fail internally, possibly melting the voltage regulator and blowing the fuse for that circuit, thereby preventing the taillight… | Back-over prevention | 11,371 | Part replacement |
| 18V-195 | Mar 26, 2018 | Driver-seat and passenger-seat seat belt and seat back anchoring bracket may have been improperly welded | Seat belts | 24,235 | Part replacement |
| 17V-357 | Jun 1, 2017 | Affected vehicles previously had their rear swingarms replaced during the remedy of NHTSA recall number 16V-255 | Brakes | 8,962 | Repair or modification |
| 16V-755 | Oct 19, 2016 | Affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a swing arm that has insufficient strength | Powertrain | 17,572 | Part replacement |
| 16V-754 | Oct 18, 2016 | Affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the fuel line and the hood structure | Fuel system | 17,795 | Part replacement |
| 15V-777 | Nov 20, 2015 | In the affected motorcycles, the headlight relay may fail and result in a loss of headlights | Electrical system | 9,182 | Part replacement |
| 15V-022 | Jan 21, 2015 | In the affected motorcycles, the upper pinion bearing may fail on the steering rack assembly, resulting in the pinion gear disengaging from the…Do not drive | Steering | 1,896 | Part replacement |
| 15V-020 | Jan 20, 2015 | Affected motorcycles may be equipped with roll hoops that do not meet hardness specificationsDo not drive | Structure | 1,577 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
36 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.
RPM hang on start and shifting gears on start engine rpm goes to 7000 and hangs there I have to shut it off and restart on shifting the rpms hang at the previous level Example in 1st gear shifting to 2nd Clutch at 2000 rpm stays there clutch out in 2nd maintains 2000 rpms with no increase on gas pedal/worse situation on startup have to shut engine down with the. Key to get it to reset
NHTSA complaint 11434328WHILE I WAS SHIFTING, WHEN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE FULLY REVVED. DURING THIS INSTANCE, I TAPPED THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF IT WAS STICKING. IT WAS NOT STICKING AND WAS FULLY OUT. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST AS I WAS DRIVING ON HILLS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF, WHICH WAS THE ONLY WAS TO STOP THE REVVING. BY THE TIME ALL THIS HAD HAPPENED THOUGH, THE TACH WENT TO 7,000 RPM. THE MOTOR REDLINES AT ABOUT 6400, JUST FYI. THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND A SERIOUS OUTCOME COULD HAVE DEVELOPED, AND WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY DEVELOPED IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE BIKE. THINKING BACK, I WAS PROBABLY DOING 40-50 MPH. SUNNY, ABOUT 90 DEGREES F. IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH A LOT OF HILLS AND TURNS. NOW, RETURNING HOME IT "SORT OF" HAPPENED AGAIN. THE ENGINE REVVED TO ABOUT 3500 RPM THIS TIME WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT. HOWEVER, NOW BEING ALERT TO THE ISSUE, I PUT IT BACK IN GEAR. THEN PUT IT IN AND OUT OF GEAR TO SEE IF THE REVVING STOPPED. JUST FYI, YES THE BIKE IS A 2015. HOWEVER, THE BIKE ONLY HAS 7,600 MILES. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I HAD MY WIFE DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO SEE IF I NOTICED ANYTHING. FIRST GLANCE, WITHOUT REALLY INVESTIGATING, I COULD SEE NO LINKAGE IN THE ENGINE BAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY. MY WIFE WILL NOT BE DRIVING THIS BIKE NOW FOR REASONS STATED ABOVE.
NHTSA complaint 11349683IN REGARDS TO AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY POLARIS SLINGSHOT PURCHASED ON JUNE 6, 2015. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE I BEGAN EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY HIGH ENGINE EVOLUTIONS DURING THE PROCESS OF SHIFTING GEARS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE ON 06/162015 CLOSEST POLARIS DEALERSHIP XTREME MACHINES LOCATED 700 STATE HWY 33 WEST, MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ 732-786-9696. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE ROAD TEST BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I THEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER AS THE PROBLEM WAS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME A ECU WAS UPDATED AND SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. *JS
NHTSA complaint 11243613TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND REMOVED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. AFTERWARDS, GREASE CAME OUT OF THE CRACKED SEAL AND THE WHEEL BEARING LOOKED WORN AND LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,050.
NHTSA complaint 11219876STEERING RACKET PINION BROKE FELL APART BEARING FELL OUT
NHTSA complaint 11207839TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOUSLEY MOTORSPORTS (LOCATED AT 1400 CO RD E EAST, ST PAUL, MN 55110, (651) 483-8296) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND SENSOR WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint 11171656ELECTRICAL SHORT/FIRE IN BACKUP CAMERA CAUSING FAILURE IN BREAK LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, ABS, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO, BLINKERS, HORN. VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint 11121816MY BROTHER WAS KILLED WHILE OPERATING HIS POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE VEHICLE FRAME OFFERED ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THE BARS WELDED ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE CRUSHED FLAT, TORN, AND SEVERAL WELDS HAD SEPARATED. ONE OF THE BARS WAS EVEN PUSHED TO THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND NOW SITS NEAR THE SHIFTER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BARS MEASURED A MERE .059 THOUSANDTHS OF AN INCH THICK. FOR COMPARISON, A CHEVY SILVERADO EXHAUST PIPE MEASURES .079 THOUSANDTHS OF AN INCH THICK, 30% THICKER. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF A VEHICLE FRAME BUILT OUT OF WHAT APPEARS TO ME TO BE MUFFLER PIPE. ALSO HAS ANY CORROSION TESTING HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE. SLINGSHOTS ARE OPERATED DAILY IN THE SALT AIR OF OUR COASTAL REGIONS. WILL THE FRAMES OF THESE VEHICLES ONE DAY FAIL BECAUSE OF CORROSION, MUCH LIKE EXHAUST PIPES? MY BROTHER PURCHASED HIS SLINGSHOT BASED ON THE PERCEIVED SAFETY OF THE SLINGSHOT'S STEEL FRAME THAT SURROUNDS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT SEEMS MOST PURCHASERS OF THIS VEHICLE MAY PERCEIVE THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF PROTECTION OFFERED. I BELIEVE NHTSA OPERATES UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IF A MANUFACTURER DESIGNS A SAFETY FEATURE INTO A VEHICLE, THEN IT MUST WORK, WHETHER IT IS REQUIRED ON THAT VEHICLE OR NOT. WITH THAT BEING SAID, DOES THE PLACEMENT OF THESE BARS AND HOW I THINK MOST REASONABLE PEOPLE PERCEIVE THEM, CAUSE THEM TO FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY. POLARIS SEEMS TO HAVE INTENDED TO BUILD SOME DEGREE OF ROLLOVER PROTECTION INTO THE SLINGSHOT BASED ON THE RECALL OF THE ROLL HOOPS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:15V020000). BUT, BOLTING NEW, STRONGER ROLL HOOPS TO A FRAME THAT APPEARS TO BE THE THICKNESS OF MUFFLER PIPE SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE. HAS POLARIS DONE ANY STRENGTH TESTING ON THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE TO MEASURE ROLLOVER SURVIVABILITY?
NHTSA complaint 11080272WISH I GET MY MONEY BACK I HATE THE BIKE THE HEAT THAT COME INSIDE BE BURNING MY FEET IT TO HOT INSIDE TO RIDE THEY DID A ARM CHANGE FOR THE RECALL WHEEL ARE NOT EVEN STRAIGHT STEERING WHEEL BE GETTING HARD BIKE SUCK WISH I HAD MY MONEY BACK08
NHTSA complaint 11079971AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR OF OPERATION, THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT BEGAN TURNING ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUBURN POWERSPORTS AT LEAST 8-9 TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND EVERY TIME THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. ALL RECALLS ARE COMPLETE. THE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I RIDE THE VEHICLE. IT COMES ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON ANY HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS.
NHTSA complaint 11020176THE BRAKE PRESSURE SENSORS FAIL. RANDOMLY OR WHEN BRAKES ARE TOUCHED THIS CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SUDDENLY DISENGAGE AND A WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATES BRAKE FAILURE. POLARIS RECOMMENDS "DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE". LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGER STRANDED. WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT IS RESET THE CYCLE REPEATS.
NHTSA complaint 11019363TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLG SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V754000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) 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 CONTACT SPOKE TO POCONO MOTORSPORTS (938 PA-940, POCONO LAKE, PA 18347) WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO SEND THE REPAIR PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE MANUFACTURING THE PARTS AND DID NOT HAVE A TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THEY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint 10999997TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V754000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, 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 CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT PULL OUT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint 10983755AUGUST 13, 2016, MY BROTHER WAS KILLED WHILE OPERATING HIS 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT, WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, HELMET AND OPERATING WITHIN LEGAL SPEED LIMITS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2016. PRESENT WERE POLARIS ENGINEERS, THEIR ATTORNEYS, OUR FAMILY'S HIRED ENGINEER AND ATTORNEY. UPON DIS-ASSEMBLY, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SLINGSHOT'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAD EXPLODED. (SEE PHOTOS). THIS FAILURE ALLOWED THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE RETRACTOR TO BE RIPPED FROM THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOWED THE SEAT BELT TO RELEASE. IN MY OPINION THIS CAUSED MY BROTHER TO RECEIVE HIS FATAL INJURY, A SEVERED SPINAL CORD WHEN HE WAS PARTIALLY EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY EQUIPMENT, OUR FAMILY WAS CERTAIN THAT POLARIS WOULD VOLUNTARILY RECALL ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THIS OBVIOUSLY FLAWED SAFETY DEVICE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SPARE OTHER FAMILIES THE HEART BREAK OUR FAMILY HAS SUFFERED. OBVIOUSLY WITH NO RECALL ISSUED TO DATE, WE WERE INCORRECT IN THIS ASSUMPTION. I THEREFORE FORMALLY ASK THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FORMALLY INVESTIGATE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE OTHER LIVES.
NHTSA complaint 10981465TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V754000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 16V755000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER AND WAS PLACED ON AN EXTENDED HOLD WHEN HE DISCONNECT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint 10979793TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V755000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint 10956546TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V754000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint 10956543CONSUMER STATED DRIVING ON HWY 80 WHEN THE CAR STARTS RUNNING WEIRD, I SLOW DOWN AND PULL TO THE SLOW LANE. THEN VEHICLE NOTE SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING INTO THE AREA WHERE MY FEET ARE. GOT OUT AND CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND..BF
NHTSA complaint 10943528BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT ON DASH. ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED. THIS VEHICLE IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 2,500 MILES ON IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS PLAGUE MOST OWNERS OF THE SLINGSHOT WITH THE SLINGSHOT FORUMS WORKING TO TRY TO SOLVE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE SPONGY (AIR IN BRAKE LINES) WHICH HAS NOT BE ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED BY POLARIS. THIS BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND OF COURSE IS OF CONCERN ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10939025TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 16V754000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 02/07/2017*CT
NHTSA complaint 10937261Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.