2017 Polaris SlingshotProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 2017 Polaris Slingshot, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-750 the manufacturer reports only 44% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 27, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2017 Polaris Slingshot has problems

10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system30
Seats21
Seat belts21
Service brakes20
Steering20
Vehicle speed control11
Exterior lighting10
Wheels11
Electronic stability control (ESC)10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

2017 Polaris Slingshot recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

44%repaired · 2021 Q1

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 19V-750 · Oct 18, 2019 · 31,987 vehicles · 14,012 repaired

Risk. Damaged terminals may result in the loss of forward and rear lighting, instrument cluster gauges, or power steering assist.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2019 Q4

Front: retractor

Recall 18V-531 · Aug 15, 2018 · 10,658 vehicles · 6,921 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

87%repaired · 2019 Q3

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Recall 18V-321 · May 16, 2018 · 4,342 vehicles · 3,786 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

65%repaired · 2019 Q3

Seat belts

Recall 18V-195 · Mar 26, 2018 · 24,235 vehicles · 15,817 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
74%repaired · 2018 Q3

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring

Recall 17V-357 · Jun 1, 2017 · 8,962 vehicles · 6,610 repaired

Risk. Contamination of the rear speed sensor will disable the ABS and Traction/Stability Control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

100%repaired · 2018 Q2

Steering

Recall 17V-158 · Mar 10, 2017 · 254 vehicles · 254 repaired

Risk. Reduced steering and/or suspension performance can affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

80%repaired · 2018 Q1

Power train: driveline

Recall 16V-755 · Oct 19, 2016 · 17,572 vehicles · 13,980 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

87%repaired · 2018 Q1

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 16V-752 · Oct 18, 2016 · 6,860 vehicles · 5,939 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

80%repaired · 2018 Q1

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 16V-754 · Oct 18, 2016 · 17,795 vehicles · 14,295 repaired

Risk. The insufficient clearance may allow the fuel line to rub against the hood until it leaks fuel.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Polaris.

Best & worst years

2017 vs. every other Slingshot year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Slingshot median. How we score

'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2017 Polaris Slingshot, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Seatbelt Retractor FailurePE17005 · closed Mar 25, 2019
    Led to recall 18V-531
In owners' words

What Slingshot owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11363025 · Oct 6, 2020
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…
Complaint 11331688 · Jun 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS, REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING RANDOMLY SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION.…
Complaint 11286440 · Dec 2, 2019 · 100 miles

Own a 2017 Slingshot?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.