VehicleVerdict

2016 Polaris Slingshot problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 41 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.9 times the median Slingshot year — the 2016 model ranks #2 of 9 Slingshot years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

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

41

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Slingshot years?

Slingshot NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Slingshot years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Polaris Slingshot problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission717%
Brakes615%
Steering615%
Suspension410%
Fuel System37%
Electrical System37%
Body & Structure25%
Speed Control25%
Tires & Wheels25%
Seat Belts25%
Other25%
Engine12%
Seats12%

Does the 2016 Polaris Slingshot have recalls?

8 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.

16V752000BrakesOctober 18, 2016 · 6,860 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PORALIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND SEIZED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURED HIP THAT DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 1, 2017 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PORALIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND SEIZED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURED HIP THAT DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 1, 2017 · crash

REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE WENT OUT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CROSS OVER DRIVE HAS WENT OUT ONCE, POLARIS IS WANTING TO REPLACE THE CROSS OVER DRIVE AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP IS WAITING ON NEW SWING ARM ASSEMBLY...DEALERS HAVE RECEIVED A NO SALE ORDER NATION WIDE FOR SLINGSHOT! THE PROBLEMS ALL OCCURRED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLAMES NEAR HIS FEET. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED…

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

2016 Polaris Slingshot — common questions

Is the 2016 Polaris Slingshot reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 41 complaints put the 2016 model at #2 of 9 Slingshot years. It is one of the Slingshot years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Slingshot problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (7 complaints), brakes (6 complaints), steering (6 complaints).

Does the 2016 Polaris Slingshot have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Polaris Slingshot. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Polaris Slingshot under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.