VehicleVerdict

2017 Polaris Slingshot problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 2017 Polaris Slingshot — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

15

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Slingshot years?

Slingshot NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Slingshot years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Polaris Slingshot problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System427%
Brakes213%
Seat Belts213%
Seats213%
Steering213%
Lighting17%
Speed Control17%
Tires & Wheels17%

Does the 2017 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.

18V531000Seat BeltsAugust 15, 2018 · 10,658 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

18V321000BrakesMay 16, 2018 · 4,342 units

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.

Consequence

If the brake pedal separates from the brake master cylinder, it would cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

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.

17V158000SuspensionMarch 10, 2017 · 254 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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 filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 18, 2019

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 5, 2018 · crash

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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 6, 2022

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · August 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND STEERING ABILITY FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL MORE TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 23, 2016

2017 Polaris Slingshot — common questions

Is the 2017 Polaris Slingshot reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2017 Slingshot problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (4 complaints), steering (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 2017 Polaris Slingshot have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Polaris Slingshot. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 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.