RoadVitals

2013 Gem El

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 19, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Gem El. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V485000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Jul 19, 2018
1,946 units potentially affected
The defect: Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2011-2016 GEM E2, E2L, ELXD, and EL electric vehicles. The lower main frame tube may crack which can result in failure of the secondary upper cab frame.
The risk: If the upper cab frame fails, it can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy: Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional frame brace to the lower frame tubes, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-743-3436. Polaris' number for this recall is L-18-03.
Polaris Industries, Inc.Manufacturer number L-18-03View on NHTSA.gov
13V003000

PARKING BRAKE

Jan 4, 2013
4,394 units potentially affected
The defect: Polaris is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Global Electric Motorcars manufactured from January 14, 2010, through November 23, 2012. The parking brake has mechanical components which may wear prematurely and prevent the brake from engaging.
The risk: If the parking brake fails to engage while parking, the driver may not be able to prevent the vehicle from rolling away after exiting the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Polaris will notify owners and dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly free of charge. The safety recall began on January 29, 2013. Owners may contact Polaris customer service by calling 1-888-704-5290.
Polaris Industries, Inc.Manufacturer number L-13-01, L-13-02View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

L-18-12-01

SEATS; STRUCTURE

GEM is releasing this Team Tip to inform dealers that the early model GREY Classic GEM seat assemblies have been discontinued and will be replaced with the late model BLACK Classic GEM seat assemblies. The part numbers for the BLACK Classic GEM seat assemblies will supersede the part numbers for the GREY Classic GEM seat assemblies. Vinyl seat cover replacements for the GREY Classic GEM seat assemblies are still available to order.

SAF-16-01

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

A STOP RIDE MEANS THE CONSUMER MUST NOT OPERATE THEIR VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETE. We have been made aware that some dealers are incorrectly communicating the importance of STOP RIDE communications.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Gem El by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016011—
2015021—
2014011—
2013Viewing021—
2012021—
2011011—
2010001—
2009011—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.