2023 Polestar POLESTAR 2
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2023 Polestar POLESTAR 2 has 143 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (67% of all complaints), specifically: the parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk .
143
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
96 complaints- • The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk
- • The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk
- • The contact owns a 2023 Polestar Polestar2. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was shifted in reverse(R) the back over prevention camera screen was black. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determine that an unknown software update needed to be pe
“The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
11 complaints- • Backup camera often turns off and on 3 to 6 times when backing up after first starting the car. If can be off for 5 to 20 seconds when it flashes off and it all happens within a 2min window. It makes it very dangerous when backing up. This is not a new issue as I’ve had it for over a year and has be
- • The backup camera seemingly blinks just as you begin backing up and at random times as the vehicle is backing up causing vision to be lost
- • My rear cameras are blacking out as I back up (I have video) or at times switching to an overview 360 visual. I have let the dealer know this, but its taken 3 weeks to get an appointment. They have switched out the IHU a couple of months ago but this problem is still occurring. Polestar is refusing
“Backup camera often turns off and on 3 to 6 times when backing up after first starting the car. If can be off for 5 to 20 seconds when it flashes off and it all happens within a 2min window. It makes it very dangerous when backing up. This is not a new issue as I’ve had it for over a year and has be”
— NHTSA complaint filing
VISIBILITY
7 complaints- • The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk
- • Upon putting the vehicle into reverse, the backup camera takes an insurmountably long time to engage and when it does, the image it produces frequently flashes for several seconds before stabilizing, rendering it useless - particularly with pedestrians or vehicles behind the car. Recent OTA updates
- • When putting the car in reverse, the rear camera displays briefly. As you start to reverse, the camera cuts in and out and you're unable to see what is behind you on the screen. It flashes to black for at least a minute, so you're unable to use the backup camera for up to 60 seconds after you put th
“The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
7 complaints- • Starting in 2022 the car started to "black out" when I drove it. The spedeometer and screen would go completely dark, especially at speeds over 60 MPH I reported this to Polestar in 2023, they incorrectly diagnosed it as a TPMS warning when I brought it to the dealer. I called Polestar back in Jul
- • When putting the car in reverse, the rear camera displays briefly. As you start to reverse, the camera cuts in and out and you're unable to see what is behind you on the screen. It flashes to black for at least a minute, so you're unable to use the backup camera for up to 60 seconds after you put th
- • Rear camera functionality keeps failing. Camera either won't load at all or flickers on and off for a couple minutes before it'll load. Rear visibility of vehicle is very poor, so need for camera is essential for safety.
“Starting in 2022 the car started to "black out" when I drove it. The spedeometer and screen would go completely dark, especially at speeds over 60 MPH I reported this to Polestar in 2023, they incorrectly diagnosed it as a TPMS warning when I brought it to the dealer. I called Polestar back in Jul”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
4 complaints- • I have started to experience sudden acceleration issues. The car, when you are attempting to pull into a parking spot or garage, will seem to accelerate, sensors beeping. I have jumped curbs and even crashed into bikes in my garage. The car has had a slew of issues (engine propulsion, losing power),
- • Starting in 2022 the car started to "black out" when I drove it. The spedeometer and screen would go completely dark, especially at speeds over 60 MPH I reported this to Polestar in 2023, they incorrectly diagnosed it as a TPMS warning when I brought it to the dealer. I called Polestar back in Jul
- • The vehicle was driven to a shopping mart in my locality for less than 10 miles. When we got out of the vehicle it started showing all sorts of errors like Propulsion system failure, Parking Brakes unavailable, Breaking system not available. The car was taken to Polestar Austin and after keeping the
“I have started to experience sudden acceleration issues. The car, when you are attempting to pull into a parking spot or garage, will seem to accelerate, sensors beeping. I have jumped curbs and even crashed into bikes in my garage. The car has had a slew of issues (engine propulsion, losing power),”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 143 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: Backup camera often turns off and on 3 to 6 times when backing up after first starting the car. If can be off for 5 to 20 seconds when it flashes off and it all happens within a 2min window. It makes it very dangerous when backing up. This is not a new issue as I’ve had it for over a year and has be
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: Starting in 2022 the car started to "black out" when I drove it. The spedeometer and screen would go completely dark, especially at speeds over 60 MPH I reported this to Polestar in 2023, they incorrectly diagnosed it as a TPMS warning when I brought it to the dealer. I called Polestar back in Jul
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Polestar POLESTAR 2 — Year Comparison
How does 2023 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 143
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 6
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2023 Polestar POLESTAR 2