2021 Polestar Polestar 2

No clear pattern

0% of complaints about the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2021 vehicle, but with only 190 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is back over prevention (120 complaints), typically at 4.8 yr or about 15,000 miles.

Complaints: 190
Median age at failure: 4.8 yr
Median mileage: 15,000 n=1
Crash / fire / tow: 3.2% of reports
Safety recalls: 5

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V615000 2025-09-15

Back over prevention:software

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Polestar 2 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

25V409000 2025-07-02

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021 and 2024 Polestar 2 vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "One Pedal Drive," the vehicle may lose brake function.

A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.

25V280000 2025-04-25

Back over prevention:software

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Polestar 2 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V477000 2024-06-26

Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Polestar 2 vehicles. The Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) software may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V110000 2021-02-24

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm):software

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.

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

In owners’ own words

Back over prevention mileage not reported 3.7 yr in service

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 device with very specific operating parameters I do believe this component is non-compliant and has become a persistent issue for me and other owners.

Back over prevention mileage not reported 3.7 yr in service

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 device with very specific operating parameters I do believe this component is non-compliant and has become a persistent issue for me and other owners.

Back over prevention mileage not reported 3.7 yr in service

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!

Other Polestar 2 model years

How to read this

This is what owners reported, not a reliability rating. People file with NHTSA about alarming failures, not routine ones, and complaint volume tracks how many cars were sold.
Failure ages come from the incident date on each complaint, populated on about 83% of records. Mileage is shown where reported — NHTSA’s 2021 system change cut mileage capture to roughly 15%, so it thins out sharply after MY2020.
Every rank compares this vehicle only against others of the same model year. A 2025 car has not had time to accumulate five-year failures, so comparing early-failure share across years is meaningless.
Fourteen make-months distorted by media storms and mass recalls — Toyota in February 2010 ran 11× normal volume across 33 models — are excluded.
Recalls are manufacturer actions and authoritative; complaints are not. A recall listed here may already have been performed on any individual car. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

2021 Polestar Polestar 2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

In owners’ own words

Other Polestar 2 model years

How to read this