2016 Polaris SLINGSHOT problems and owner complaints

CPSC: POLARIS SLINGSHOT: CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE MOTORCYCLE, HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY HIGH ENGINE REVOLUTION DURING THE PROCESS OF SHIFTING GEARS. UPDATED 01/10/17. *BF THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A ROAD TEST, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE HIGH ENGINE REVOLUTIONS DURING SHIFTING. AN ECU UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 02/02/17.*JB

Look up ODI 10838361 at NHTSA ↗

ON 10/28/2016 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, FREEDOM POWERSPORTS, WEATHERFORD, TX TO HAVE A MINOR, BUT PERSISTENT FLUID LEAK CORRECTED. WHEN I ARRIVED THE DEALER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SWING ARM AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAINTAIN POSSESSION OF MY VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE DEFECT WERE RECEIVED AND INSTALLED. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED IT WOULD BE "AT LEAST A MONTH" BEFORE I COULD EXPECT IT TO BE RETURNED TO MY POSSESSION. HE STATED THAT A "DO NOT…

Look up ODI 10919981 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2019 Polaris Slingshot. The contact stated that since the motorcycle was purchased, there was an abnormal grinding sound while driving at various speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the grinding sound increased with an abnormal popping and cracking sound coming from the rear of the motorcycle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the axle and rear bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted and had signi…

Look up ODI 11429347 at NHTSA ↗

The contact's wife owns a 2022 Polaris Slingshot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the engine was rewired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,400.

Look up ODI 11538646 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER JUST LESS THAN 3,500 MILES, THE MASTER BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON DURING A NORMAL DRIVE. QUICKLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO GARAGE. FOLLOWED OWNER'S MANUAL GUIDELINES, CHECKED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, NO NEED TO BRING IN FOR INSPECTION IF THERE IS STILL BRAKING. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN WITH THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT, AND IF THE BRAKES DO FAIL, THIS WOULD RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. OVER THE PHONE THEY INDICATED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE; IF SO THEN POLA…

Look up ODI 10836556 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS DOWN TO THE FLOOD WHEN APPLIED. DEALER STATES THAT ALL SLINGSHOTS ACT THIS WAY. THE PEDAL WILL COME BACK UP IF PUMPED. BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER. NO AIR IN THE LINE. THE PROBLEM MUST BE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.. WHEN TRAVELING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEED AND BRAKES NEED TO BE APPLIED, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING EFFICACY IN COMPROMISED. I CALLED POLARIS, BUT NOBODY HAS RETURNED MY CALL.

Look up ODI 10789404 at NHTSA ↗

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 BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOSE AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE M…

Look up ODI 10958800 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PERSONALLY INSPECTED WHILE STATIONARY. I HAVE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT WEAR DIFFERENCE IN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR WHILE IT IS BEING BEDDED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE 2 DIFFERENT FRONT ROTOR TYPES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE RIGHT ROTOR IS A SINGLE PIECE ROTOR WHILE THE LEFT ROTOR IS THE DUAL-PIECE ROTOR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE SLR VERSION. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, THE SINGLE ROTOR MINIMUM THICKNESS IS FRONT 4.5MM, REAR 6.5MM WHILE THE DUAL-ROTOR MINIMUM THICKNESS IS FRONT 19MM, REAR 19M. THEY…

Look up ODI 11205687 at NHTSA ↗

This is a common problem in 2020+ slingshots brake pressure switches the bike will go in neutral while driving and stay in neutral until you cut bike off to reset the switches very dangerous when driving

Look up ODI 11721191 at NHTSA ↗

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

Look up ODI 10943528 at NHTSA ↗

DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DAY/NIGHT, THE POLARIS SLINGSHOT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD FAIL AND LOST OF ALL LIGHTING VISIBILITY FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS DRIVING BEHIND ME WOULD RANDOMLY HAPPEN MAKING ME A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD. THE REAR WIRING HARNESS FUSE BOX BURNS OUT RANDOMLY GETTING VERY HOT AND SPARKING WHILE DRIVING AND BURNING OUT THE PLASTIC ON THE FUSE BOX.

Look up ODI 11204082 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS, REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING RANDOMLY SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V750000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). AFTER CONTACTING VALLEY MOTORSPORTS (195 E MOSBY RD, HARRISBURG, VA) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT T…

Look up ODI 11286440 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V750000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED RIDENOW POWERSPORTS PEORIA & INDIAN MOTORCYCLE PEORIA (8546 W LUDLOW DR, SUITE 100, PEORIA, AZ 85381, [phone removed]) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER UNTIL DECEMBER 5, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: C/6129161T0C1H6. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE…

Look up ODI 11278927 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 POLARIS SLINGSHOT SL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V750000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. MALL OF GEORGIA INDIAN MOTORCYCLE (2745 MALL OF GEORGIA BLVD, BUFORD, GA 30519) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Look up ODI 11291541 at NHTSA ↗

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 FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25.

Look up ODI 10678915 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEAT FROM THE MUFFLER AND ENGINE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER IN PHILADELPHIA, PA, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Look up ODI 11099824 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2021 Polaris Slingshot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the oil, brake, ABS, check engine, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then accelerated inadvertently and swayed back and forth, and when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle did not slow down as intended. The contact added that the motorcycle then ran over a curb and crashed into bushes, where the vehicle finally stopped. The contact sustained leg, arm, neck, shoulder, back, and mental…

Look up ODI 11734077 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2022 Polaris Slingshot. The contact stated that while riding at an undisclosed speed, the transmission downshifted with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact became aware that the message “Shift not Allowed” was displayed. The motorcycle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 800.

Look up ODI 11615037 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS:15V022000 (STEERING) AND 15V020000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/02/15*JB

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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, EPAS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED. PULLED OVER, SHUT THE SLINGSHOT OFF, WAITED AWHILE, AND THEN RESTARTED, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR 1/8TH OF A MILE AND THEN LIGHT WENT OUT, AND THEN POWER STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. BOUGHT SLINGSHOT ON 02/25/2016.

Look up ODI 10853075 at NHTSA ↗

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 BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOSE AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE M…

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THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT 1500 MILES... UPDATED 12/08/2017*CN

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I WAS COMING OUT OF A ROUND A BOUT INTERSECTION IN THE CITY, WHERE I HAD TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO IT AND AND A RIGHT TURN OUT OF IT. JUST AS I CAME OUT OF THE TURN, THERE WAS A JOLT AND AS IF I'D BEEN HIT FROM THE SIDE IN REAR. I WAS ABLE TO STEER OUT OF IT AND INTO A PARKING LOT THAT WAS RIGHT THERE. I WAS ONLY MOVING AT 30 MPH WHEN THE SWING ARM SNAPPED FROM THE STRESS OF THE TURN. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, I MAY WELL HAVE BEEN KILLED.

Look up ODI 10882404 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2019 Polaris Slingshot. The contact stated that since the motorcycle was purchased, there was an abnormal grinding sound while driving at various speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the grinding sound increased with an abnormal popping and cracking sound coming from the rear of the motorcycle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the axle and rear bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted and had signi…

Look up ODI 11429347 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE BY SHIFTING DOWN THE CLUTCH AND TURNING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. WHEN THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

Look up ODI 10713598 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE THROTTLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DHY MOTORSPORTS (1300 CLEMENTS BRIDGE RD, TOWNSHIP, NJ 08096, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A PIN IN THE HARNESS WAS NOT CONNECTING TO THE THROTTLE, WHICH CAUSED THE THROTTLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE FRONT END OF THE SLINGSHOT WAS SMASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S …

Look up ODI 11104670 at NHTSA ↗

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 PARKED VEHICLE, REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING, AFTER EVERY IMPACT AS IT WENT FORWARD TOWARDS THE PARKED CAR. THE PARKED CAR SUFFERED MULTIPLIED IMPACTS TO THE DRIVER FRONT, FENDER, DOORS, AND REAR AS THE SLINGSHOT KEPT ACCELERATING AND HITTI…

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WE TOOK OUR SLINGSHOT SL BACK TO OUR DEALER TO HAVE THEM REMOVE AND CHECK FRONT WHEEL RIMS FOR CRACKLES DUE TO RECENT REPORTS OF OVER 10 OTHER SLINGSHOT OWNERS HAVING THEIR WHEELS RIMS FAILURE DUE TO CRACKS WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WOULD MULTIPLE CASTING IMPERFECTIONS AND ONE LARGE CRACK APPROX 1 INCH IN LENGTH AND 0.1 ML IN WIDTH (WIDE ENOUGH TO PUT A FINGERNAIL). POLARIS WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER AND BY US - AT THIS TIME POLARIS IS REFUSING TO ALLOW DEALERS TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE CRACKED WHEEL RIMS. THE SECOND SAFETY ISSUE THIS M…

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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 WHILE OPERATING AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS ON THE FREE WAY AND CITY STREETS WHILE IN TRAFFIC...THE VEHICLE IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD.

Look up ODI 10924352 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AND SPOKES DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE FAR RIGHT LANE, CRASHED INTO A WALL, RICOCHETED OFF THE WALL, AND LANDED ON THE SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND A SORE NECK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT AND THEN TOWED TO FRE…

Look up ODI 11254362 at NHTSA ↗

Issue #1: The driver seat was loose. There was an issue with the railing of the seat. That one got replaced. Issue #2: I have an issue with the rear wheel bearing. There is a loud clicking noise when driving the Slingshot. I had do bring it into the dealership several times. First they said it was normal. Now it's been in the dealership for a few months now, since Black Friday. After going back and forth with the dealership & Polaris. Polaris has agreed that the rear wheel bearing has to be replaced. The only thing I change was the rear tire. …

Look up ODI 11453114 at NHTSA ↗

I was involved in a biker run on 8/12/2023 in my 2022 Polaris Slingshot. When the event was over numerous people brought a dangerous problem to my attention. Polaris must have decided for profit reasons to eliminate the rear fender that covers the tire and I unknowingly was shooting gravel-like bullets at everybody behind me and hitting people causing dangerous incidents. I apologized but I was told not to enter these events as I also could be breaking car windshields as well as endangering all the bikers in the event. Polaris needs to recall a…

Look up ODI 11538188 at NHTSA ↗