VehicleVerdict

2021 Polestar Polestar 2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 carries two red flags at once: 192 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Loss of rear-view camera image). It is one of the Polestar 2 years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: driver assistance issues account for 72% of all reports (138 of 192), far ahead of other at 13.

192

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Polestar 2 years?

Polestar 2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted372 complaints2021: 192 complaints2022: 372 complaints2023: 143 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Polestar 2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Polestar 2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance13872%
Visibility & Wipers137%
Other137%
Electrical System95%
Suspension42%
Airbags32%
Fuel System32%
Seat Belts21%
Speed Control21%
Steering21%
Latches & Locks11%
Engine11%
Brakes11%

Does the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 have recalls?

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

25V615000Driver AssistanceSeptember 15, 2025 · 27,816 units

Defect

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Polestar 2 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 4, 2026. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1069. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 20, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recalls 24V477 and 25V280. Vehicles previously repaired under those recalls will need to have the new remedy performed.

25V409000BrakesJuly 2, 2025 · 2 units

Defect

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021 and 2024 Polestar 2 vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "One Pedal Drive," the vehicle may lose brake function.

Consequence

A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to use "One Pedal Drive" until the repair has been completed. Polestar has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1061.

25V280000Driver AssistanceApril 25, 2025 · 27,816 units

Defect

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Polestar 2 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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1056. Vehicles in this recall that were previously repaired under 24V-477 will need to have the new remedy completed.

24V477000Electrical SystemJune 26, 2024 · 25,825 units

Defect

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Polestar 2 vehicles. The Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) software may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Polestar has released an over-the-air IHU software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1016.

21V110000Electrical SystemFebruary 24, 2021 · 3,457 units

Defect

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Polestar 2 vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.

Consequence

A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Polestar will notify owners, and the software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2021. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R10079.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ25004

Loss of rear-view camera image

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 109 complaints for rear-view camera failures on Model Year (MY) 2021 to MY 2025 Polestar 2 vehicles. On June 26, 2024, Polestar recalled certain MY 2021 – MY 2024 Polestar 2 vehicles for visualization issues during a backup event and failure to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 (Rear Visibility) (Recall 24V-477). Specifically, Polestar stated that the rear-view camera “may have limited visualization, be inoperative, or function incorrectly when reverse gear is engaged, thereby affecting the driver’s rear visibility capability in a backing event.” Polestar proposed to remedy this condition via a software update to minimize an Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) graphical rendering limitation by shortening the retry times of the camera streams, as well as removing the rendering of the map in the driver display during backing events to release the graphic memory for the use of the rear-view camera. Subsequent consumer complaints to ODI reported continued rear-view camera outages in remedied vehicles pointed to limitations in Polestar’s 24V-477 approach, and, on April 25, 2025, Polestar filed a new recall to address the rear-view image visualization issues (Recall 25V-280). Polestar's stated remedy for this recall provided an additional software update intended to always maintain the high-speed signal connection between the Parking Assist Camera (PAC) and IHU, instead of toggling on and off by request. The update would also be designed to add a reset of the IHU video signal receiving hardware in case a synchronization error is detected, instead of just setting an error message. On June 21, 2025, ODI began receiving complaints from consumers whose vehicles had been remedied according to Recall 25V-280, but whose rear-view cameras were nevertheless continuing to fail in the same manner that they had previously. In July, ODI discussed the complaints with Polestar, which confirmed that their over the air software remedy for Recall 25V-280 did not correct the original issue. ODI is therefore opening this Recall Query to further evaluate the adequacy of Recall 25V-280’s remedy. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Well backing out of a parking space at the grocery store. My rear camera failed to activate even after several times trying to get the camera to work. I decided to try and back out by just looking over my shoulder, but could not see through the back window and collided into a shopping cart. None of…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 14, 2025 · crash

“The backup camera display is constantly turning on and off while reversing the car. This puts the occupants in the vehicle at risk due to the car's poor rear visibility. The display worked flawlessly when the car was first delivered, but one of the monthly software updates seems to have broken this…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 1, 2023

“Rear view camera unavailable when car is put into reverse. Blank screen or lagging screens when backing up can put myself and others at risk of harm or great bodily injury. Car has been serviced for this recall previously and has not been resolved. Manufacturer will need to upgrade the system…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 24, 2025

“Rear view camera unavailable when car is put into reverse. Blank screen or lagging screens when backing up can put myself and others at risk of harm or great bodily injury. Car has been serviced for this recall previously and has not been resolved. Manufacturer will need to upgrade the system…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 24, 2025

“When making a sharp left turn at full steering lock the car makes clicking noises. Service center states it is CV joint related and several cars with this performance suspension have this problem. It may be a safety hazard should the CV joint fail and it is a known issue.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 19, 2025

2021 Polestar Polestar 2 — common questions

Is the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 192 complaints put the 2021 model at #2 of 5 Polestar 2 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Polestar 2 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 Polestar 2 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (138 complaints), other (13 complaints), visibility & wipers (13 complaints).

Does the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Loss of rear-view camera image). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Polestar Polestar 2 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Polestar 2 years to avoid are 2022, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025.

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.