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Polaris · NHTSA safety record

2017 Polaris Slingshot

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 10 safety complaints about the 2017 Polaris Slingshot with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 3 people were injured and no death is recorded. 9 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 3 complaints, 30% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2017 to July 2022 · How this is counted

What is on file

10 complaints on file

10

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

3

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 · 30%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 20%
SEATS 2 · 20%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 20%
STEERING 2 · 20%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 10%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 10%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 · 10%
WHEELS 1 · 10%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 10.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 3.

4 3 2 1
17 18 19 20 21 22

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2022.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2017 Polaris Slingshot. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

9 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

19V750000 · October 18, 2019

The defect
Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.
The risk
Damaged terminals may result in the loss of forward and rear lighting, instrument cluster gauges, or power steering assist. Any of these scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery fuse block terminals and relocate the 50 amp chassis fuse, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris's number for this recall is T-19-01.

Polaris Inc. · up to 31,987 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

18V531000 · August 15, 2018

The defect
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot S, Slingshot SL, Slingshot GT LE, and Slingshot SLR motorcycles. In the event of a crash, the seatbelt retractor on the side opposite of the impact may separate, preventing the seatbelt from locking.
The risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat belt does not lock, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit that prevents the retractor from separating in the event of a crash, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-03.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 10,658 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

18V321000 · May 16, 2018

The defect
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Polaris Slingshot, Slingshot SL, Slingshot SLR, Slingshot SL Icon, and Slingshot GT LE motorcycles. The brake pedals may have been incorrectly installed, allowing the brake pedal to separate from the brake master cylinder.
The risk
If the brake pedal separates from the brake master cylinder, it would cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engagement of the brake pedal retaining clip and reassemble it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 5, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-02.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 4,342 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

18V195000 · March 26, 2018

The defect
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling all 2015-2018 Polaris Slingshot motorcycles. The driver-seat and passenger-seat seat belt and seat back anchoring bracket may have been improperly welded. Additionally, differences in the seat assembly may prevent proper latching of the seat slider, allowing the driver's seat to move unexpectedly.
The risk
If the seat belt buckle or seat back detach from the seat base, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. If the driver's seat unexpectedly moves, it can cause the driver to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket and seat back welds, and the seat slider latching function. If the weld is missing or incomplete, or if the slider doesn't latch properly, the seat bases will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-01.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 24,235 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

17V357000 · June 1, 2017

The defect
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Slingshot vehicles. The affected vehicles previously had their rear swingarms replaced during the remedy of NHTSA recall number 16V-255. The replacement swingarms may have been installed without the sealing grommets installed, potentially resulting in road debris contaminating the rear wheel speed sensor.
The risk
Contamination of the rear speed sensor will disable the ABS and Traction/Stability Control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the swingarms for missing grommets, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2017. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-888-704-5290. Polaris' number for this recall is T-17-04.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 8,962 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

17V158000 · March 10, 2017

The defect
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2017 Slingshot, Slingshot SL, and Slingshot SLR vehicles. Three of the bolted connections between the steering and the front suspension may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a reduction of steering and/or front suspension performance.
The risk
Reduced steering and/or suspension performance can affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected nuts and bolts, tightening them correctly, free of charge. The recall began on March 23, 2017. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-17-01.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 254 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE

16V755000 · October 19, 2016

The defect
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured March 4, 2014, to September 7, 2016. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a swing arm that has insufficient strength.
The risk
Due to the insufficient swing arm strength, the swing arm may fracture resulting in a loss of momentum or vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and repair or replace the swing arm, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-16-06.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 17,572 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

16V754000 · October 18, 2016

The defect
Polaris Idustries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured March 4, 2014, to October 7, 2016. The affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the fuel line and the hood structure.
The risk
The insufficient clearance may allow the fuel line to rub against the hood until it leaks fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the replace the engine fuel line, and inspect the retention clips to reduce the risk of interference, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-16-03.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 17,795 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16V752000 · October 18, 2016

The defect
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured December 28, 2015, to April 27, 2016. The brake pressure switch may have been over tightened in the affected motorcycles.
The risk
Over tightening of the brake pressure switch may damage the seal, allowing brake fluid to leak, resulting in reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will install new brake pressure switch seals, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-16-02.

Polaris Industries, Inc. · up to 6,860 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Seatbelt Retractor Failure

PE17005

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened September 18, 2017 · closed March 25, 2019 · led to recall 18V531000

the seat belts

See attached closing resume summary.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured · crash · towed · 4,774 miles

ON MAY 5, 2018, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THE STREET WITHIN SPEED LIMITS AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER 2ND GEAR. THE GAS PEDAL FELT STRANGE WHEN I DEPRESSED IT, SINCE IT WENT TO THE RIGHT. JUST THEN THE VEHICLE SPUN TO THE LEFT AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE, REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING, AFTER EVERY IMPACT AS IT WENT FORWARD TOWARDS THE PARKED CAR. THE PARKED CAR SUFFERED MULTIPLIED IMPACTS TO THE DRIVER FRONT, FENDER, DOORS, AND REAR AS THE SLINGSHOT KEPT ACCELERATING AND HITTING IT, BOUNCING OFF EACH TIME, ONLY TO ACCELERATE AND FURTHER RAMMING THE VEHICLE. THE SLINGSHOT FINALLY STOPPED HITTING THE PARKED CAR ONLY AFTER THE

NHTSA complaint 11099569, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured

Both the driver and passenger seat back screws shrouds have broken off under normal conditions and operation while operating the vehicle. When coming to a stop or while driving, the seat back moves, pushing the driver and passenger up against the steering wheel and dash with an increased risk of failure and accident with absolutely no warning. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by an authorized polaris dealer with no resolution.

NHTSA complaint 11459062. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
Seat backs on both driver and passenger sides are coming off frame. The screws/bolts are falling out no way to put them back in and secure the back of the seats to seat frame. Have only 3600 miles on a 2017 Slingshot has not been used much. The back of the seat screws are Fallin out making the seat backs come off frame. Have asked other people in our Slingshot club if they have had a issue and we have gotten alot of yes happened to us to. It is not just ours and have no idea how to fix, but seems as this could be dangerous if back of seat is not secure. Had one couple to fix this problem they had to remove seats, remove seat backs and they Gorilla Glued the seat backs to the frame to fix

NHTSA complaint 11476077, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
After braking a few times the “brake failure” light will come in the dashboard disabling the cruise control. After researching online I found this article TSA-18-02 that states that it is a known problem! This should be a recall and not just an ”service advisory”

NHTSA complaint 11451617. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
The drivers side seat belt won't extend. While viewing the polaris slingshot forum, this has been a reoccurring problem.

NHTSA complaint 11419985. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL T-19-01 2015-2019 SLINGSHOT S/SL/SLR/GT BATTERY FUSE BLOCK INSPECTION & CHASSIS FUSE RELOCATION (OPERATING VEHICLE WITHOUT RECALL IS RISK TO RIDERS THAT STEERING & LIGHTS MAY QUIT) FOR THE PAST YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT FIXED & HAVE CONTACTED POLARIS MANY TIMES. ALL THE DEALERS AROUND ME SAY THEY CAN'T GET THE PARTS FROM POLARIS. NHTSA RECALL #190750.

NHTSA complaint 11363025. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V750000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint 11331688. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Polaris Slingshot

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 25 8 —
2015 36 9 3

Every Polaris on this site — 3 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst