Is the 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2 reliable?

The 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2 has 191 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2?

Top problems: DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (136 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (13 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (13 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE. Contact any Polestar dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2 is approximately $2,250/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2 has 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 191. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (71% of all complaints), specifically: the backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. the image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. on some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. it happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. as a federally mandated safety . There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

6 crash reports

191

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

136 complaints

71%

• The backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. The image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. On some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. It happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. As a federally mandated safety
• The backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. The image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. On some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. It happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. As a federally mandated safety
• The rear/backup camera is unstable when in reverse, backing up. The camera cuts in and out repeatedly as the car moves and sometimes switches back and forth to the 360 view over and over. It can stay black for almost 2 seconds at a time!

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 5 crashes

“The backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. The image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. On some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. It happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. As a federally mandated safety ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE24/02/2021

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Polestar 2 vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.

Risk: A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Polestar will notify owners, and the software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 23, 2021. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R10079.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Polestar POLESTAR 2

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,250

Full coverage / month

$188

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+34%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2250

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Polestar New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

These are the terms for a new Polestar. If you're buying a used 2021 POLESTAR 2, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Polestar dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 191 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. The image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. On some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. It happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. As a federally mandated safety
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. The image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. On some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. It happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. As a federally mandated safety
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: Camera constantly lags and glitches in and out when reversing, emergency brakes will activate without warning or any reason to do so.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: This car will periodically lose all interior audio function. This includes safety alerts like parking, forward collision, rear collision, cross traffic, and any other alert you can think of including the sound the turn signal makes. Bluetooth audio and radio also unavailable. This is a commonly docu
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Polestar dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)