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Polestar · NHTSA safety record

2025 Polestar Polestar 3

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

Owners have filed 79 safety complaints about the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3 with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 49 complaints, 62% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2025 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

79 complaints on file

79

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

1

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 49 · 62%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 11 · 14%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10 · 13%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 8 · 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7 · 9%
POWER TRAIN 6 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 5%
STRUCTURE 4 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 5%
ENGINE 3 · 4%
STEERING 3 · 4%
AIR BAGS 2 · 3%
0 23 46

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 79.

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 2025 at 59.

64 48 32 16
25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2025 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2025 Polestar Polestar 3. 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

6 on file

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

26V037000 · January 23, 2026

The defect
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. The striker brackets that secure the rear seat backrest may be loose. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."
The risk
A loose rear seat backrest may fall forward and allow cargo to enter the cabin during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat backrest striker bracket mounting nuts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2026. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1079. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 30, 2026.

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. · up to 213 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

25V555000 · August 26, 2025

The defect
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. The hood wing front bumper may be missing bolts, allowing the bumper to detach.
The risk
A detached bumper can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polestar will inspect the hood wing bumper for missing screws. If any screws are missing, the bumper and screws will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1064.

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. · up to 68 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

25V420000 · July 14, 2025

The defect
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. The panoramic glass sunroof may not be properly secured and can detach.
The risk
A detached glass sunroof can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Polestar will replace the panoramic glass sunroof, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1060.

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. · up to 33 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

25V453000 · July 7, 2025

The defect
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. Water may damage the electrical connectors between the engine bay and front bumper cable harnesses.
The risk
Damage to harnesses can cause various electrical malfunctions, such as a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Polestar will replace the bumper harness and the inline front bumper/engine bay connector on the engine bay harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1063.

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. · up to 969 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V293000 · May 7, 2025

The defect
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain Polestar 3 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."
The risk
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.
The remedy
The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1057.

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. · up to 3,664 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

24V940000 · December 18, 2024

The defect
Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 hybrid electric vehicles. Fluctuations in the 12-volt system may have damaged the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM).
The risk
A damaged HLCM reduces the system's ability to convert energy, causing a sudden loss in drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1043.

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. · up to 6 vehicles across all model years covered

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · crash · towed

Date of Incident: [XXX] US Eastern Time Location: [XXX] Incident Type: Safety defect and vehicle malfunction due to Sudden Unintended Acceleration with multiple safety system failures On the date referenced above, while traveling at approximately 5 mph and preparing to park in a gravel parking lot, I removed my foot from the accelerator pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop using the normal deceleration process (with One-Pedal Mode disabled). Instead of the expected behavior, the vehicle: 1.Suddenly and violently accelerated without input 2.Drove straight into a parked vehicle at high speed, completely displacing it 3.Continued accelerating despite my attempts to control it

NHTSA complaint 11692656, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

I was driving my Polestar 3 2025 Performance into a gated garage. The car was on one pedal mode, I slowed down to come to a stop to open the gate. When the clicker for the garage door was clicked the car lunged forward and full speed rammed into the opening gate. Realizing the car is not stopping I pressed harder on the brakes, lifted my foot up and looked down to insure that I was pressing on the correct pedal and started pumping the brake pedal. None of these slowed down or stopped the car, which eventually hit a wall and stopped.

NHTSA complaint 11668236. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

crash · towed

I was parking, lifted my foot off the accelerator to slow my car down, and instead my car unexpectedly went into high acceleration (note: not user error, I took my foot OFF the pedal). My car hit head-on into another car, then I steered the car sideways, and finally was able to get the car to stop by pumping the breaks several times.

NHTSA complaint 11685027. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed · 745 miles

The contact owns a 2025 Polestar Polestar 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH in a parking lot, as he depressed the brake pedal, to slow down the vehicle did not slow down. The contact stated no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped a curb and ran over some shrubbery. The contact stated that the passenger side front and rear doors had scraped a light pole, and then the vehicle rolled out of the parking lot and over a retaining wall. The contact stated that the vehicle landed on a sidewalk and then continued out onto a road below the parking lot and finally stopped. The contact stated that a warning had illuminated that his rear

NHTSA complaint 11715540, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
I was driving south on the Palisades Interstate Parkway and started to exit at Exit 9E when the automatic emergency brake engaged and the seat belt tensioners engaged. There were no vehicles in front of me or very close to me. The stop was jarring. There was no apparent reason for this to happen.

NHTSA complaint 11766318. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Since taking delivery of the vehicle, multiple electronic and computer-related systems have failed or malfunctioned. Initial issues included unreliable phone synchronization, dropped phone calls, and failure of the driver memory profile system, including seat and side mirror memory settings. Over time, the problems have become more serious and now involve safety-related systems. The vehicle intermittently displays SOS system failure warnings. The center and steering wheel display screens have gone black while the vehicle is in operation, resulting in the loss of vehicle information and audio alerts. During these incidents, it is difficult or impossible to confirm the status of certain

NHTSA complaint 11745934, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unable to access brand new vehicle for several days. Would not respond to any keys (including the app). First tow company didn't have proper equipment. Spoke with Polestar support two days later and they sent out another tow company after trying some troubleshooting they suggested. Tow truck driver was able to get doors to open after jumping the 12v battery (which others have reported problems on). Upon starting vehicle, received electric system warning. Recommended to tow to nearest dealership.

NHTSA complaint 11744550. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On-Board Charger not working on L2 charge

NHTSA complaint 11741511. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
I am submitting a complaint regarding my Polestar 3, which is subject to two open NHTSA safety recalls: 26V-037 and 25V-555. I attempted to have these recalls addressed on March 7, 2026, at Volvo Manhattan (an authorized Polestar service provider). Upon arrival, I was informed that no qualified Polestar technicians were available to service my vehicle, and I was told I would receive a follow-up call. No follow-up occurred. On April 30, 2026, I contacted the Polestar service desk at Volvo Manhattan again. I was informed that they currently have only two Polestar technicians, that they are unable to schedule a service appointment, and that no timeline can be provided for when recall service

NHTSA complaint 11734764, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On [XXX], while driving, the car issued a warning that stated, “driving performance reduced. Book a service” and an icon of a turtle. Then on [XXX], while driving on [XXX], the car suddenly slowed dramatically that me, my husband and our frenchie in a dog crate behind us lurched forward violently. Estimated 30 mph sudden drop in speed then the turtle icon appeared briefly. I took the car to the Polestar 3 service department in North Hills, CA on March 12 and it is now April 10 without any resolution in site. Notably, this Polestar 3 also would not unlock the morning of [XXX]x only one night after we signed a lease contract. It had to be towed from our Los Angeles house’s garage. Then on

NHTSA complaint 11730450, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Every Polestar on this site — 5 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