RoadVitals

2023 Polaris Slingshot

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 Oct 5, 2023
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 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2023 Polaris Slingshot, most frequently naming the airbags, interior & seats and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 31 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

  • Airbags133.3%
  • Interior & seats133.3%
  • 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.

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
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
23V106000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Feb 20, 2023
163 units potentially affected
The defect: Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Slingshot R, Slingshot S with Technology Package 1, Slingshot SL, Slingshot SLR, and Slingshot S motorcycles. The alternator may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing.
The risk: An improperly heat-treated alternator may crack and separate during operation, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 8, 2023. Owners may contact Polaris' customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-23-01.
Polaris Inc.Manufacturer number T-23-01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Oct 5, 2023
Crash reported

I am under the moral obligation to report environmental and safety concerns surrounding the Indian motorcycles and Slingshot models.  The company engaged in installing components that are believed to have materials in its evaporative system that do not meet material specifications.  They source several components from companies that are currently under investigation for issuing parts to other brands that have similar defects.  The company was derelict in its responsibility to consumers in an effort to mass produce units when inventory supply constraints took place.  The company falsely claimed maximum acceptable limits on its evaporative systems and emissions output.  Air regulation boards should review this accusation accordingly as it will become a national issue. The CEO has specific knowledge of TAP (Transamerican Auto Parts) not producing their parts up to material specifications.  The company was purchased for $665 million dollars and sold for $50 million a few short years later.  Nothing was disclosed by CEO's surrounding their knowledge of this, but rather gave the deal window dressing and buried the real issues.  The SEC needs to investigate this behavior and the behavior of their WSI acquisition and the parts they are manufacturing that are unable to meet its evaporative system requirements.  The company has failed to follow its own internal procedures and failed to take action on self-identified "red flags."  They are importing goods through false statements on declarations which obfuscated the true source of some of its steel and other materials, some of which originate from countries with sanctions in place. Most importantly is the three years' of allegations surrounding their largest Native American franchisee, who only opened these Indian dealerships to pay tribute to his heritage, and instead, they abused, mistreated, and discriminated against the individual and the over 12 complaints over the past 2.5 years can be sent and made public.

NHTSA ID
11548351
Incident
Oct 1, 2023

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-6.1.2026

ENGINE

This Ask Polaris article provides information about how to perform a leakdown test on Polaris Slingshot vehicles.

T-26-02-01

POWER TRAIN

A new input shaft seal, PN 3610429, has been released for Model Year 2015-2026 Slingshot right angle drives for improved leak resistance. Vehicles produced after 11/10/2025 have the updated seal. When installing, this seal requires a lower pinion rolling torque specification. Improper pinion rolling torque during service of the seal can lead to leaks, noise, and/or damage to the seal or right angle drive due to improper bearing load.

SLG-1.23.2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Slingshot help center article provides information regarding the creation of RIDE COMMAND log files to assist troubleshooting software errors.

SLG-11.13.2025

ENGINE

This Slingshot help center article provides details for changing the engine oil on model year 2020+ Slingshot vehicles.

SLG-8.19.2025

POWER TRAIN

This Slingshot help center article provides information regarding the procedure to replace the transmission fluid on Model Year 2020 and newer Slingshot vehicles.

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025000—
2023Viewing120—
2022700—
2021210—
2020110—
2019441—
2018451—
2017109162.3
2016258156.8
2015369261.5

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.