NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 9 recalls and 144 owner complaints for the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2.
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2021 Polestar 2 centers on the backup camera system, which accounts for the large majority of owner reports. Owners consistently describe the rear camera failing to display when reversing, with the screen going blank, freezing, or switching unexpectedly into a 360-degree view. Many note the problem is intermittent, occurring every week or two, and several report the issue persisting or appearing after over-the-air software updates. Because the image can freeze without warning, owners express uncertainty about whether what they're seeing reflects what's actually behind the vehicle. A smaller cluster of reports covers visibility and wiper issues, and a handful describe electrical concerns including airbag warning lights and brief loss of acceleration response following software updates.
144
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2021 Polestar 2 has 9 recalls, the most serious being a potential complete loss of braking while coasting downhill in One Pedal Drive mode, and a separate issue where the high-voltage battery management system can reset and cut drive power entirely while the vehicle is moving.
The braking issue occurs specifically when the car is decelerating on a hill using the regenerative one-pedal system, where brake function can vanish without warning. The battery management reset is the same underlying problem described across multiple filings: the battery control module can reboot mid-drive, disconnecting the high-voltage system and leaving the driver with no power to the wheels.
A significant cluster of recalls addresses the rearview camera. Across several filings covering different software versions and model years, the camera can either fail to appear at all when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, or display the wrong camera view entirely. One prior repair attempt did not fully resolve the issue for some vehicles, meaning a second fix may be needed. The practical result in each case is the same: the driver has no rear view while backing up.
The remaining recall is a Canadian labeling issue on the tire and loading information label, which omits the French translation for the spare tire field. The label reads "NONE" where it should read "NONE / AUCUN." This has no effect on how the vehicle drives or how its safety systems perform.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The rearview camera may fail to display an image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a software update at no cost to restore rearview camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may cause the rearview camera to show the wrong view or no image when you shift into reverse. Previous recall repairs on some vehicles may not have fully corrected this problem.
What the fix does
Polestar will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealership for a software update that fixes the rearview camera display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
While coasting downhill with One Pedal Drive engaged, the vehicle may lose braking ability in certain driving conditions.
What the fix does
A free over-the-air software update fixes the issue. Do not use One Pedal Drive until the update is installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may cause the rearview camera to show an incorrect view or no image when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Polestar will mail you instructions to visit a dealership for a software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not appear on the screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle software at no charge to restore rearview camera display functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire and loading information label on some vehicles shows "NONE" instead of the required bilingual text "NONE / AUCUN" to indicate no spare tire is present.
What the fix does
Polestar corrected the tire and loading information label on all new vehicles to include both English and French text.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The infotainment system software may fail to display the rearview camera image, affecting rear visibility.
What the fix does
Polestar will update the infotainment software over-the-air at no cost to restore camera display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Battery Energy Control Module microprocessor may reset unexpectedly, causing the high voltage system to disconnect.
What the fix does
Software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may cause the Battery Energy Control Module to reset, disconnecting the high voltage system while driving and causing sudden loss of power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Polestar will send a wireless over-the-air software update to your vehicle. If unsuccessful, you'll be notified to schedule a dealer appointment for the update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
