RoadVitals

2020 Polaris Slingshot R

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
1
Latest Apr 29, 2024
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.
1
Latest Jul 3, 2023
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2020 Polaris Slingshot R, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 38 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical133.3%
  • Engine133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign 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
23V466000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION

Jul 3, 2023
22,218 units potentially affected
The defect: Polaris Industries Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2020 Slingshot GT, 2021-2023 Slingshot S, Slingshot S Tech, 2020-2023 Slingshot R, Slingshot SL, and 2022-2023 Slingshot SLR vehicles updated with Ride Command Software. After shifting out of reverse, the rearview camera image may freeze and display a blank screen if shifted into reverse again. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the Ride Command software. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact Polaris' customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-23-03.
Polaris Industries Inc.Manufacturer number T-23-03View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 29, 2024

vehicle has automatic transmission and while stopped at traffic light on hill in heavy traffic transmission shifted into neutral with no driver input! Vehicle would not respond to any input until it was shut off and restarted to reset ECU. Traffic trying to get around while I was trying to get to shoulder of road. The vehicle did it 5 more times before we got home. Last time we where almost hit from behind by a semi-truck because it shifted itself into neutral on a four-lane highway. I believe this is a programing issue with the computer controlled automatic transmission. I have called Polaris on this issue and was told there was not recalls on the vehicle. I am in the process of fighting for warranty on this.

NHTSA ID
11585725
Incident
Apr 3, 2024

Manufacturer communications

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

SLG-6.18.2026

ENGINE

This Ask Polaris article provides information to systematically identify the root cause of excessive exhaust smoke by distinguishing between oil consumption, coolant intrusion, and fuel-related conditions.

SLG-11.13.2024

ENGINE

This Slingshot help center article provides information regarding changing the oil on Model Year 2020 and newer Slingshot vehicles equipped with Prostar 2.0 engines.

2024-03

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On some Polaris models equipped with a Dual Sweep Analog (C4) gauge cluster, dealers and customers may see moisture intrusion or fogging present in the gauge clusters, similar to gauge clusters in other off-road and marine applications.

T-24-07-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Polaris has received an increasing number of claims for vehicles not charging. Testing of returned alternators indicates that the alternator was not the root cause and did not require replacement.

T-24-07-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Polaris has received an increasing number of claims for vehicles not charging. Testing of returned alternators indicates that the alternator was not the root cause and did not require replacement. The terminal of the excitation wire may become opened, damaged, or pushed back during installation of the connector to the alternator, resulting in the alternator not charging intermittently.

T-24-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

We recently determined that some Model Year 2020-2023 Slingshot vehicles updated with RIDE COMMAND software update SLS7AB.M32336A (sent over the air in September 2023) may not be able to access Vehicle Health and Vehicle Location in the Slingshot App and website, and are also no longer able to receive future OTA (Over The Air) updates. A software update to resolve this issue was made available for installation in November 2023 (software update SLS7AB.M32343A). Please visit ridecommand.slingshot.polaris.com to obtain this software update, along with how-to guides and instruction videos.

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

Polaris Slingshot R by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2024000—
2022020—
2021210—
2020Viewing110—

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.