138 of the 193 complaints about the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 are about the driver-assist systems — 72% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 15,000 miles.
138
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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.
NHTSA complaint #11746309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
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 systems activated no object detection, no camera and no collision warning.
NHTSA complaint #11744618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
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 systems activated no object detection, no camera and no collision warning.
NHTSA complaint #11744618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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 systems activated no object detection, no camera and no collision warning.
NHTSA complaint #11744618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
An update was applied last year to fix the reverse camera issue. The issue remains, sometimes the camera is unavailable, it the camera goes in to 360 degree mode. Happens about once a week or every two weeks
NHTSA complaint #11727818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Polestar has issued two recalls and claims they fixed the reverse camera issues with a software update, but they have not been remedied. When reversing, the camera screen will still often go blank, freeze, or stutter. I am not confident that the picture I'm seeing on the screen is a real time depiction of the view behind me or is simply frozen. This presents safety issues where the screen may have frozen or gone blank just before someone runs behind the vehicle, and the driver is led to believe there is nothing behind the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11724680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Backup Camera still doesn't function when reversing after multiple recalls.
NHTSA complaint #11722803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
2021 Polestar 2, consistently the rear back up camera fails to display. In my case the issue did not occur until my car was updated past 3.2.8. The issue is caused by extremely dated hardware. The processor, and memory are insufficient for the more modern software that is being released. I also believe this is why my car will slam on the brakes in reverse when there is no object behind the car while I am reversing. Polestar has released a IHU hardware upgrade in other Polestar markets, but has not given any dates or information for this to be released in the US. A further software update is not going to rectify this issue, unless features are removed to fre up resources. Not a safety concern but Media will stop playing in SiriusXM and have to be restarted after 20 minutes of driving. After parking over night the IHU will take 2-3 minutes to fully wake up to be able to set navigation or activeate Apple Car play.
NHTSA complaint #11722842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
2021 Polestar 2, consistently the rear back up camera fails to display. In my case the issue did not occur until my car was updated past 3.2.8. The issue is caused by extremely dated hardware. The processor, and memory are insufficient for the more modern software that is being released. I also believe this is why my car will slam on the brakes in reverse when there is no object behind the car while I am reversing. Polestar has released a IHU hardware upgrade in other Polestar markets, but has not given any dates or information for this to be released in the US. A further software update is not going to rectify this issue, unless features are removed to fre up resources. Not a safety concern but Media will stop playing in SiriusXM and have to be restarted after 20 minutes of driving. After parking over night the IHU will take 2-3 minutes to fully wake up to be able to set navigation or activeate Apple Car play.
NHTSA complaint #11722842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
2021 Polestar 2, consistently the rear back up camera fails to display. In my case the issue did not occur until my car was updated past 3.2.8. The issue is caused by extremely dated hardware. The processor, and memory are insufficient for the more modern software that is being released. I also believe this is why my car will slam on the brakes in reverse when there is no object behind the car while I am reversing. Polestar has released a IHU hardware upgrade in other Polestar markets, but has not given any dates or information for this to be released in the US. A further software update is not going to rectify this issue, unless features are removed to fre up resources. Not a safety concern but Media will stop playing in SiriusXM and have to be restarted after 20 minutes of driving. After parking over night the IHU will take 2-3 minutes to fully wake up to be able to set navigation or activeate Apple Car play.
NHTSA complaint #11722842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The rear view camera fails repeatedly and the rear window is not large enough to safely reverse.
NHTSA complaint #11718764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Cameras stopped working when backing out and collision with pole when reversing out
NHTSA complaint #11717160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Cameras stopped working when backing out and collision with pole when reversing out
NHTSA complaint #11717160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
I am reaching out to bring to your attention an urgent issue regarding the backup camera in the 2021 Polestar 2. The backup camera frequently fails to work when the car is put into reverse or, even more concerning, it intermittently cuts out while backing up. Given the limited visibility when relying solely on the rearview and side mirrors, this malfunction poses a significant safety risk. The inability to see small children or obstacles behind the vehicle without the aid of the backup camera is a major concern that needs to be addressed promptly. Polestar has attempted several fixes over several years, none to date have resolved the issue. Neither Polestar or NHTSA have taken this issue seriously.
NHTSA complaint #11712423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
I am reaching out to bring to your attention an urgent issue regarding the backup camera in the 2021 Polestar 2. The backup camera frequently fails to work when the car is put into reverse or, even more concerning, it intermittently cuts out while backing up. Given the limited visibility when relying solely on the rearview and side mirrors, this malfunction poses a significant safety risk. The inability to see small children or obstacles behind the vehicle without the aid of the backup camera is a major concern that needs to be addressed promptly. Polestar has attempted several fixes over several years, none to date have resolved the issue. Neither Polestar or NHTSA have taken this issue seriously.
NHTSA complaint #11712423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
I am reaching out to bring to your attention an urgent issue regarding the backup camera in the 2021 Polestar 2. The backup camera frequently fails to work when the car is put into reverse or, even more concerning, it intermittently cuts out while backing up. Given the limited visibility when relying solely on the rearview and side mirrors, this malfunction poses a significant safety risk. The inability to see small children or obstacles behind the vehicle without the aid of the backup camera is a major concern that needs to be addressed promptly. Polestar has attempted several fixes over several years, none to date have resolved the issue. Neither Polestar or NHTSA have taken this issue seriously.
NHTSA complaint #11712423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Intermittently, when shifting into reverse, the rear camera does not work, with error stating that the camera is unavailable. Dealer states there is no fix.
NHTSA complaint #11704442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
When the car is put into reverse the rear camera activates and then goes dead. There is no image from the camera and an error appears on the screen saying camera is temporarily unavailable. There have been multiple recalls on this issue and the updates have not resolved the issue. My car is on software 3.6.4
NHTSA complaint #11704119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Back up camera not available. Again.
NHTSA complaint #11703572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The back up camera constantly fails to turn on. It appears to be a known defect of the car. Service centers seem to have no fix for the issue.
NHTSA complaint #11703151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The backup camera on my 2021 Polestar 2 has never functioned reliably. It frequently fails to activate when the vehicle is placed in reverse and instead displays an error message. This is a manufacturer defect. Although the vehicle was recalled for this defect and I had the recall repair performed, the issue persists. The repair did not fully resolve the problem, and the backup camera continues to malfunction intermittently. Reduced Rear Visibility: Without a functioning backup camera, drivers lose critical visibility directly behind the vehicle, especially in blind spots not covered by mirrors. Risk to Pedestrians and Children: Backup cameras are designed to prevent accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, or children who may be behind the vehicle. A malfunctioning system increases the risk of striking someone. Parking and Maneuvering Hazards: In tight spaces, garages, or crowded parking lots, the lack of a reliable rear camera increases the likelihood of collisions with other vehicles, walls, or objects. False Sense of Security: Drivers may assume the camera is functioning and rely on it, only to discover too late that it has failed. This inconsistency creates unpredictable and unsafe driving conditions. Non-Compliance with Federal Safety Standards: Backup cameras are federally mandated safety equipment. A defective or unreliable system means the vehicle does not meet required safety standards. Incomplete Recall Remedy: Since the recall repair did not fully resolve the defect, the vehicle remains unsafe and the manufacturer has not provided an adequate remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11703206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
ever since I bought the vehicle, I would often get an alert when putting into reverse that the rear reverse camera "Camera is Temporarily Unavailable". I did have the recall linked to this issue executed on the car. While the issue occurs less, it still does occur.
NHTSA complaint #11702979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Rear camera constantly “unavailable”
NHTSA complaint #11703092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Backup camera constantly unavailable
NHTSA complaint #11698211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
The backup camera does not function about 50% of the time. Polestar did issue a OTA software update that I have installed several months ago (software version 3.6.4) but the issue has not really improved. I was hoping that another update might be issued but so far, nothing. I should note that it is not just the backup camera, the entire infotainment has been very buggy and laggy as well but the backup camera is a real safety issue while the rest is more of an inconvenience.
NHTSA complaint #11693648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Backup camera often doesn’t work when reversing even after previous recall
NHTSA complaint #11692840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Most recent firmware fix from Polestar (3.6.4) to resolve backup camera not displaying issue is still non-sufficient. Backup camera still fails regularly after we received the ‘fix’ on June 13, 2025 at a Volve/Polestar dealership. Vehicle is now ‘timed out’ out of the factory warranty, and a call to Volvo/Polestar to schedule service was met with ‘you are out of warranty now, there is nothing we can do’. Vehicle is fully operable and in good repair otherwise.
NHTSA complaint #11690490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
When vehicle is behind driven, and adaptive cruise and steering assist are active the vehicle regularly falsely interprets road lines. When this happens the vehicle veers quickly. This has happened multiple times veering the vehicle into oncoming traffic, off the road, or onto the shoulder. It can be corrected by driver intervention but the car maneuvers quickly when falsely reading road signs
NHTSA complaint #11689180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
After applying the latest update to fix the recall, the camera and infotainment system performs worsee than before. The rear camera stops displaying almost 95% of the time, the only time it does work is if you get back in the car before the system goes to sleep .
NHTSA complaint #11688788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Back up camera intermittently stops working and “camera is temporarily unavailable” displayed on infotainment screen. I have to back up my car 2-3 times a week with no backup camera. Cars software is up to date on 3.6.4
NHTSA complaint #11688726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.