The 2018 Polaris Slingshot has 5 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.
Pictured: a 2017 model; the 2018 may differ in details. Photo: 2017 Polaris Slingshot by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2018 compares
Average
Fewest complaintsMost complaints
Average complaint count among 9 Slingshot model years — 5th most.
5recalls
4complaints
1crashes
0fires
2injuries
900median miles
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.
Does your car have an open recall? Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Oct 18, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V750000 · 31,987 vehicles
Problem: Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.
Risk: Damaged terminals may result in the loss of forward and rear lighting, instrument cluster gauges, or power steering assist. Any of these scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery fuse block terminals and relocate the 50 amp chassis fuse, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris's number for this recall is T-19-01.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Seat Belts
Mar 7, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V185000 · 3,311 vehicles
Problem: Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. The driver-seat and passenger-seat seat belt and seat back anchoring bracket may have been improperly welded. Additionally, differences in the seat assembly may prevent proper latching of the seat slider, allowing the driver's seat to move unexpectedly.
Risk: If the seat belt buckle or seat back detach from the seat base, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. If the driver's seat unexpectedly moves, it can cause the driver to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket and seat back welds, and the seat slider latching function. If the weld is missing or incomplete, or if the slider doesn't latch properly, the seat bases will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 11, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-01. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 18V-195.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Seat Belts
Aug 15, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V531000 · 10,658 vehicles
Problem: Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot S, Slingshot SL, Slingshot GT LE, and Slingshot SLR motorcycles. In the event of a crash, the seatbelt retractor on the side opposite of the impact may separate, preventing the seatbelt from locking.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt does not lock, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will install a kit that prevents the retractor from separating in the event of a crash, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-03.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Service Brakes
May 16, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V321000 · 4,342 vehicles
Problem: Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Polaris Slingshot, Slingshot SL, Slingshot SLR, Slingshot SL Icon, and Slingshot GT LE motorcycles. The brake pedals may have been incorrectly installed, allowing the brake pedal to separate from the brake master cylinder.
Risk: If the brake pedal separates from the brake master cylinder, it would cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engagement of the brake pedal retaining clip and reassemble it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 5, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-02.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Seat Belts
Mar 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V195000 · 24,235 vehicles
Problem: Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling all 2015-2018 Polaris Slingshot motorcycles. The driver-seat and passenger-seat seat belt and seat back anchoring bracket may have been improperly welded. Additionally, differences in the seat assembly may prevent proper latching of the seat slider, allowing the driver's seat to move unexpectedly.
Risk: If the seat belt buckle or seat back detach from the seat base, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. If the driver's seat unexpectedly moves, it can cause the driver to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket and seat back welds, and the seat slider latching function. If the weld is missing or incomplete, or if the slider doesn't latch properly, the seat bases will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-01.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Seatbelt Retractor Failure
PE17005 · opened Sep 18, 2017 · closed Mar 25, 2019 · led to recall 18V531000
Summary
See attached closing resume summary.
2018 vs. other Polaris Slingshot years
Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2018. Click a bar to switch year.
Questions
Does the 2018 Polaris Slingshot have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the 2018 Polaris Slingshot, the latest from Oct 18, 2019 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Polaris Slingshot?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (2), air bags (1), service brakes (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.
Recalls by Model
