2021 Polaris Slingshot Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 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
- Engine133.3%
- Fuel system133.3%
- Seat belts133.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 injuries; medical attention was not needed. A police report was not filed. The motorcycle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was an engine malfunction, and the timing chain came loose causing the bearing to lose oil, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain jumped off the track, which caused the bearing to lose oil, the bearing came out of the motor, and the engine had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,800.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Seat belts drivers and passengers do not adjust, lock where you cannot pull out to buckle the belt,locks while pulling out. Also doesnt lock snug against body when buckled. Throttle bucks violently when lettling clutch out gentlly causing a stall condition when pulling into traffic.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Seat belts drivers and passengers do not adjust, lock where you cannot pull out to buckle the belt,locks while pulling out. Also doesnt lock snug against body when buckled. Throttle bucks violently when lettling clutch out gentlly causing a stall condition when pulling into traffic.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .