VehicleVerdict

2023 Polestar Polestar 2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2023 Polestar Polestar 2 carries two red flags at once: 143 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 67% of all reports (96 of 143), far ahead of other at 11. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

143

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Polestar 2 years?

Polestar 2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted372 complaints2021: 192 complaints2022: 372 complaints2023: 143 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Polestar 2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Polestar 2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Polestar Polestar 2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance9667%
Other118%
Electrical System75%
Visibility & Wipers75%
Speed Control43%
Fuel System43%
Transmission21%
Lighting21%
Body & Structure21%
Brakes21%
Seat Belts11%
Engine11%
Airbags11%
Seats11%
Steering11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2023 Polestar Polestar 2 have recalls?

4 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.

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.

23V476000SuspensionJuly 12, 2023 · 3 units

Defect

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2023 Polestar 2 vehicles. The front left lower ball joint may have been incorrectly installed, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the steering knuckle.

Consequence

The control arm disconnecting from the steering knuckle can cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint fastening bolt as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 10, 2023. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R10245.

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.

“The rear backup camera is still flaky and often will stop working or have a large and noticeable lag when backing up. This has not been fixed by the recent 3.6.4 software update as promised. It is available for inspection. If I am already in the middle of backing up and the camera goes out, I may…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 1, 2025

“My rear cameras are blacking out as I back up (I have video) or at times switching to an overview 360 visual. I have let the dealer know this, but its taken 3 weeks to get an appointment. They have switched out the IHU a couple of months ago but this problem is still occurring. Polestar is refusing…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 22, 2024

“When putting the car in reverse, the rear camera displays briefly. As you start to reverse, the camera cuts in and out and you're unable to see what is behind you on the screen. It flashes to black for at least a minute, so you're unable to use the backup camera for up to 60 seconds after you put…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 16, 2024

“Infotainment system crashing post most recent software update causing main dashboard to stop showing information and make critical information difficult to see because of washed out background. Malfunctioning Components: Infotainment system. Available for inspection. Safety Risk: Difficulty seeing…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 11, 2025

“I have started to experience sudden acceleration issues. The car, when you are attempting to pull into a parking spot or garage, will seem to accelerate, sensors beeping. I have jumped curbs and even crashed into bikes in my garage. The car has had a slew of issues (engine propulsion, losing…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 27, 2024 · crash

2023 Polestar Polestar 2 — common questions

Is the 2023 Polestar Polestar 2 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 143 complaints put the 2023 model at #3 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 2023 Polestar 2 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (96 complaints), other (11 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2023 Polestar Polestar 2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 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 2023 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.

How safe is the 2023 Polestar Polestar 2?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Polestar Polestar 2 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.