RoadVitals

2017 Polaris Slingshot Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
10
Latest Jul 27, 2022
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Polaris Slingshot, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical320.0%
  • Driver assistance213.3%
  • Interior & seats213.3%
  • Brakes213.3%
  • Seat belts213.3%
  • Steering213.3%
  • Exterior lighting16.7%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL T-19-01 2015-2019 SLINGSHOT S/SL/SLR/GT BATTERY FUSE BLOCK INSPECTION & CHASSIS FUSE RELOCATION (OPERATING VEHICLE WITHOUT RECALL IS RISK TO RIDERS THAT STEERING & LIGHTS MAY QUIT) FOR THE PAST YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT FIXED & HAVE CONTACTED POLARIS MANY TIMES. ALL THE DEALERS AROUND ME SAY THEY CAN'T GET THE PARTS FROM POLARIS. NHTSA RECALL #190750.

NHTSA ID 11363025 · filed Oct 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V750000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 11331688 · filed Jun 30, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 HITTING IT, BOUNCING OFF EACH TIME, ONLY TO ACCELERATE AND FURTHER RAMMING THE VEHICLE. THE SLINGSHOT FINALLY STOPPED HITTING THE PARKED CAR ONLY AFTER THE FRONT LEFT TIRE/SUSPENSION BROKE. AFTER I HAD MY INJURIES CHECKED, I WENT BACK TO VISIT THE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE GAS PEDAL HAD SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT OF ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, THIS CREATED A WEDGE BETWEEN THE GAS PEDAL WITH THE TUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY THE SLINGSHOT WAS ACCELERATING, EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. I HAVE PHOTOS AND WILL GET THE POLICE REPORTS, PLUS ANY WITNESS STATEMENTS, IF ANY; BUT I DO NOT HAVE IT AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION, SINCE I AM USING A WORK COMPUTER. I WILL SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS REQUIRED. ALSO, IN THE ACCIDENT, THE SAFETY BELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE AS THE SLINGSHOT REPEATEDLY HIT THE PARKED VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT TAKE ANY PICTURES OF THE SEATBELT. *TR

NHTSA ID 11099569 · filed Jun 4, 2018

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 MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 05/02/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID 10958800 · filed Mar 6, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Seat backs on both driver and passenger sides are coming off frame. The screws/bolts are falling out no way to put them back in and secure the back of the seats to seat frame. Have only 3600 miles on a 2017 Slingshot has not been used much. The back of the seat screws are Fallin out making the seat backs come off frame. Have asked other people in our Slingshot club if they have had a issue and we have gotten alot of yes happened to us to. It is not just ours and have no idea how to fix, but seems as this could be dangerous if back of seat is not secure. Had one couple to fix this problem they had to remove seats, remove seat backs and they Gorilla Glued the seat backs to the frame to fix the problem. I thought umm I'm not super gluing, or Gorilla Gluing my seats in. Seems to be a issue with our particular seats which came stock in the 2017 SL's.We have the limited edition Midnight Cherry. Nice seats just that the screws holding seat back on are breaking free of however they are attached to the seat. It is not right and these issues need repaired for all slingshots with this issue. Looks like there was some sort of seat recall already but do not know if this issue is included in the seat recall? Have pictures form will not allow me to drop them in or upload them? Let me explain better. There is a back on the screws preventing them from being able to tighten or to replace they are dangling out of the holes. I know we are not the only ones having this issue and we have no idea how to repair other then to buy new seats for our slingshot. However we should not have to do that. It seems that it will be very unsafe during a crash. Will tey to upload pictures again.

NHTSA ID 11476077 · filed Jul 27, 2022

Both the driver and passenger seat back screws shrouds have broken off under normal conditions and operation while operating the vehicle. When coming to a stop or while driving, the seat back moves, pushing the driver and passenger up against the steering wheel and dash with an increased risk of failure and accident with absolutely no warning. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by an authorized polaris dealer with no resolution.

NHTSA ID 11459062 · filed Mar 31, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

After braking a few times the “brake failure” light will come in the dashboard disabling the cruise control. After researching online I found this article TSA-18-02 that states that it is a known problem! This should be a recall and not just an ”service advisory”

NHTSA ID 11451617 · filed Feb 11, 2022

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 MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 05/02/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID 10958800 · filed Mar 6, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The drivers side seat belt won't extend. While viewing the polaris slingshot forum, this has been a reoccurring problem.

NHTSA ID 11419985 · filed Jun 7, 2021

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 HITTING IT, BOUNCING OFF EACH TIME, ONLY TO ACCELERATE AND FURTHER RAMMING THE VEHICLE. THE SLINGSHOT FINALLY STOPPED HITTING THE PARKED CAR ONLY AFTER THE FRONT LEFT TIRE/SUSPENSION BROKE. AFTER I HAD MY INJURIES CHECKED, I WENT BACK TO VISIT THE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE GAS PEDAL HAD SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT OF ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, THIS CREATED A WEDGE BETWEEN THE GAS PEDAL WITH THE TUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY THE SLINGSHOT WAS ACCELERATING, EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. I HAVE PHOTOS AND WILL GET THE POLICE REPORTS, PLUS ANY WITNESS STATEMENTS, IF ANY; BUT I DO NOT HAVE IT AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION, SINCE I AM USING A WORK COMPUTER. I WILL SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS REQUIRED. ALSO, IN THE ACCIDENT, THE SAFETY BELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE AS THE SLINGSHOT REPEATEDLY HIT THE PARKED VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT TAKE ANY PICTURES OF THE SEATBELT. *TR

NHTSA ID 11099569 · filed Jun 4, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA ID 11286440 · filed Dec 2, 2019

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 MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 05/02/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID 10958800 · filed Mar 6, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA ID 11286440 · filed Dec 2, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 FREEDOM POWERSPORTS HUNTSVILLE (12401 MEMORIAL PKWY SE, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35803, 256-829-5507), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 6039418. THE CONTACT LOCATED NTSB NUMBER: NVS-214JRYPE15-016 FROM MAY OF 2015 AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. *TR

NHTSA ID 11254362 · filed Sep 10, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .