2021 Polestar Polestar 2 problems & reliability
147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2, alongside 5 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention | 114 | 78% |
| Unknown OR Other | 13 | 9% |
| Visibility/wiper | 13 | 9% |
| Electrical System | 9 | 6% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 8 | 5% |
| Lane Departure | 6 | 4% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 2% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 1% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Rear driveshaft/axle shafts failing at 39,000 miles on a 2021 Polestar 2. Symptom is a ticking/clicking noise during deceleration at low speed cadenced to wheel speed. Polestar issued Technical Journal TJ 36854.1.0 in March 2024 acknowledging this as a known issue on 2021-2023 model year vehicles with VST Operation…”
Power Train · filed Aug 5, 2026
“Center entertaiment touchscreen which provides visiblity for the rear camera as well as the backup sensors and A/C controls for front defogger went is completely blank. Polestar2 logo appears, but no longer boots. This causes the rear camera to be completely useless.”
Back Over Prevention · filed Jun 24, 2026
“Well backing out of a parking space at the grocery store. My rear camera failed to activate even after several times trying to get the camera to work. I decided to try and back out by just looking over my shoulder, but could not see through the back window and collided into a shopping cart. None of the advanced…”
Back Over Prevention · filed Jun 16, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Loss of rear-view camera image
Recall Query RQ25004 · opened Jul 9, 2025 · open
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
Technical service bulletins
180 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2. The 10 most recent:
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 3 png files and 1 mp4 file CSD Stuck in Recovery Mode, iCUP. Provide vehicle report.
36569.5.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 26, 2026
This is a TJ - Text plus 1 PDF - If the customer reports the navigation map in the DIM become black during driving or at start-up, follow the instructions under "Service" (see attached picture TJ_37516_1.pdf).
37516.3.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 13, 2026
This is a Technical Journal - Text plus 1 .png attachment- If during a Software Download (SWDL) at the workshop, and connected to VIDA, the CSD (Center Stack Display) turns black and the IHU (Infotainment Head Unit)…
37439.5.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 23, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - Note that normal condensation will not be solved by replacing the headlamp. The headlamps are designed to withstand moisture and the functionality of the…
35844.8.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 6, 2026
This is a TJ - Text only - no attachment - Do not perform fault tracing or replace any parts before reading this journal. An acceleration constraint from a standstill when the driver's seatbelt is unbuckled has been…
37798.1.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 2, 2026
This is a TJ text only no attachments - If customer complains it is not possible to download or update third-party apps follow advice under "Service" Workaround is to perform a "factory reset". analysis will now…
37517.3.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2026
This is a TJ - Text plus 3 PD's - If customer complains about any of the symptoms regarding Bluetooth / Cellular as noted in this TJ Do not replace any components for this issue, follow but not limited to the 10 steps…
37723.1.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2026
This is a TJ - text only, no attachments - f the customer complains about a significant HV battery SoC drop after parking, please follow the advice under "service". Work is ongoing for a software fix and is planned for…
37797.1.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - Note that normal condensation will not be solved by replacing the headlamp. The headlamps are designed to withstand moisture and the functionality of the…
35844.7.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 21, 2026
This is a Technical Journal - Text plus 1 .png attachment- If during a Software Download (SWDL) at the workshop, and connected to VIDA, the CSD (Center Stack Display) turns black and the IHU (Infotainment Head Unit)…
37439.4.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 7, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2021 Polestar Polestar 2?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.