VehicleVerdict

2015 Polaris Slingshot problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.7 times the median Slingshot year — the 2015 model ranks #1 of 9 Slingshot years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (8), speed control (7), and transmission (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

54

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

5

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Slingshot years?

Slingshot NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted54 complaints2015: 54 complaints2016: 41 complaints2017: 15 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 7 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 3 complaints2022: 9 complaints2023: 3 complaints
Slingshot NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Slingshot years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Polaris Slingshot problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine815%
Speed Control713%
Transmission611%
Electrical System611%
Suspension611%
Brakes59%
Fuel System59%
Steering36%
Other24%
Body & Structure24%
Seat Belts24%
Tires & Wheels24%

Does the 2015 Polaris Slingshot have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V750000Electrical SystemOctober 18, 2019 · 31,987 units

Defect

Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.

Consequence

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.

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.

18V809000Driver AssistanceNovember 15, 2018 · 11,371 units

Defect

Polaris Industries (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Polaris Slingshot, Slingshot SL and Slingshot SL LE motorcycles equipped with a backup camera. The back-up camera may fail internally, possibly melting the voltage regulator and blowing the fuse for that circuit, thereby preventing the taillight from functioning properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.

Consequence

The melted voltage regulator can increase the risk of a fire. The loss of a tail light can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the back-up camera, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-04.

18V195000SeatsMarch 26, 2018 · 24,235 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

17V357000Electrical SystemJune 1, 2017 · 8,962 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

16V755000TransmissionOctober 19, 2016 · 17,572 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

16V754000Fuel SystemOctober 18, 2016 · 17,795 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

15V777000LightingNovember 20, 2015 · 9,182 units

Defect

Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured April 21, 2014, to October 22, 2015, Slingshot SL motorcycles manufactured April 28, 2015 to October 23, 2015, and Slingshot SL SE motorcycles manufactured December 15, 2014, to October 22, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the headlight relay may fail and result in a loss of headlights.

Consequence

A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single headlight relay with a circuit that uses two headlight relays, free of charge. The recall began on December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Slingshot customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is SLI-15-05.

15V022000SteeringJanuary 21, 2015 · 1,896 units

Defect

Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured August 26, 2014, to January 9, 2015, and 2015 Slingshot SL motorcycles manufactured August 18, 2014, to January 10, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the upper pinion bearing may fail on the steering rack assembly, resulting in the pinion gear disengaging from the steering rack.

Consequence

If the steering pinion gear disengages from the steering rack, a loss of steering control could result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is SLI-15-02.

15V020000Body & StructureJanuary 20, 2015 · 1,577 units

Defect

Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured August 26, 2014, to December 16, 2014, and 2015 Slingshot SL motorcycles manufactured August 18, 2014, to December 15, 2014. The affected motorcycles may be equipped with roll hoops that do not meet hardness specifications.

Consequence

If the roll hoops do not meet strength specifications, in the event of a rollover crash they may not provide proper protection, increasing the risk of a personal injury.

Remedy

Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roll hoops, free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-651-408-7579. Polaris' number for this recall is SLI-15-01.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLING SHOT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 19, 2014

I WAS DRIVING MY SLINGSHOT DOWN THE ROAD . THE ROAD IS A SWEEPING CURVE AROUND A POND . THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED ON .THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXTREMELY FAST FORCING ME OFF THE ROAD . I THEN STUCK A TREE . RESULTING IN TWO FRACTURED RIBS AND A FRACTURED SPINE .

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 26, 2015 · crash

TL* 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 1, 2016

CONSUMER 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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 28, 2016 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN). 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 19, 2016

2015 Polaris Slingshot — common questions

Is the 2015 Polaris Slingshot reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 2015 model at #1 of 9 Slingshot years. It is one of the Slingshot years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Slingshot problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), speed control (7 complaints), transmission (6 complaints).

Does the 2015 Polaris Slingshot have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Polaris Slingshot. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Polaris Slingshot under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Polaris Slingshot years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Slingshot years to avoid are 2015, 2016. The cleanest record among Slingshot years belongs to 2020.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.