Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 GEM E4, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 GEM E4.
| 2018394 30 Jul 2018 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, an electrical fault in the drive mode switch could result in an incorrect drive direction selection. This could cause the vehicle to be imm… |
| 2017236 2 May 2017 | Wheels On certain vehicles equipped with steel wheels, the lug nuts on the front wheels can loosen over time, causing vibration. If this vibration is unnoticed by the … |
| 2016659 29 Dec 2016 | Electrical Note: This recall is replaced by recall 2018-394. Please click here for more information. On certain vehicles, the drive mode switch can send an improper ele… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
18V484000 · Electrical system19 Jul 2018 · 2,110 vehicles
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD vehicles. The drive mode switch can send an incorrect signal, causing the vehicle to become inoperative or go in the opposite direction than intended.
17V279000 · Wheels26 Apr 2017 · 1,254 vehicles
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD electric vehicles, equipped with steel wheels. The lug nuts on the front wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a front wheel detaching from the vehicle.
16V884000 · Electrical system8 Dec 2016 · 1,644 vehicles
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD electric vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to November 18, 2016. The drive mode switch can send an incorrect signal, causing the vehicle to go in the opposite direction than intended.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What GEM told its dealers about the 2016 GEM E4: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10199992 | FAQ regarding the L-21-01 Service Bulletin. |
| 10199991 | Some 2016-2021 GEM vehicles built with Fast Chargers (3 kW or 6 kW) may experience a premature failure to the charger itself, if a short circuit occurs on the vehicle. |
| 10199990 | Email to dealers about L-21-01 Service Bulletin. |
| 10180614 | GEM has released this Team Tip to inform dealers that a BMC software update has been released which improves the reliability of the BMC. |
| 10179065 | There is no doubt that for a Polaris customer the process of picking up a brand new vehicle is one of the most exciting times in the ownership experience. To ensure that all Polaris dealers are equipped to deliver a world-class experience that matches the high quality and excitement of the products, PCDX was developed to create a mobile streamlined dealership delivery experience. PCDX combines the setup, registration, and delivery process into one easy to use application. |
| 10179064 | PCDX is an online and mobile interface for providing a consistent dealer setup and customer delivery experience. The interface walks the dealer and the customer through a standardized online form that includes the PDI (pre-delivery inspection), general warnings, assembly and inspection, safety bulletins, test ride, customer information, customer walkaround and discussion, and customer acceptance. This application has been proven in dealerships to automate document retention, streamline vehicle setup, and provide a consistent, professional customer experience. Vehicles shipped after 11/1/2015 n |
| 10179063 | This Team Tip is being released to dealers to provide information regarding the required transition to online PCDX and PCDX training. |
| 10179060 | A STOP RIDE MEANS THE CONSUMER MUST NOT OPERATE THEIR VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETE. We have been made aware that some dealers are incorrectly communicating the importance of STOP RIDE communications. |
| 10179059 | GEM has determined that the BMC on 2016-2018 GEM vehicles built before January 23, 2018 is performing tasks during off-time that can potentially drain the constant 12v supply. |
| 10179058 | GEM has determined that the Polaris BMC on 2016-2018 GEM vehicles is performing tasks during off-time that can potentially drain the constant 12v supply. |
| 10179057 | GEM has determined that the BMC on 2016-2018 GEM vehicles built before January 23, 2018 is performing tasks during off-time that can potentially drain the constant 12v supply. |
| 10179056 | Some 2016-2018 GEM vehicles have exhibited premature motor controller failures due to water ingress. To address this concern, GEM is releasing this Service Bulletin for dealers to relocate the motor controller and install a thermoform cover to prevent further water intrusion. |
| 10179055 | Some 2016-2018 GEM vehicles have exhibited premature motor controller failures due to water ingress. To address this concern, GEM is releasing this Service Bulletin for dealers to relocate the motor controller and install a thermoform cover to prevent further water intrusion. |
| 10179049 | GEM has identified some 2016-2018 vehicles that have an improperly adjusted brake master cylinder push-rod. GEM is releasing this Team Tip to inform dealers that the service manual has been updated with the proper brake pedal adjustment procedure, which includes inspection criteria on how to confirm proper adjustment. |
| 10179044 | GEM has seen some vehicles display the incorrect state of charge when the factory-installed option cab heater is used. GEM is releasing this Team Tip to inform dealers that some vehicles may have left the factory with the heaters ground cable installed on the wrong terminal of the BMC. This will prevent the BMC from seeing the power used, and will be unable to account for the lost power in the state of charge. |
| 10179043 | GEM has observed instances where customers operating in cold weather are reporting vehicles slowing down at a higher state of charge, as if batteries are low. This Team Tip was released to inform dealers that there is a Polaris BMC reflash available for vehicles equipped with AGM batteries to factor ambient temperature into the state of charge reading. This communication also shows how to calculate a customers estimated range based on ambient temperature for vehicles equipped with flooded batteries. |
| 10179042 | GEM has observed instances where customers operating in cold weather are reporting vehicles slowing down at a higher state of charge, as if batteries are low. This Team Tip was released to inform dealers of cold weather effects on battery range of GEM vehicles, and how to calculate a customers estimated range based on ambient temperature. |
| 10179041 | GEM has released this Team Tip to inform dealers that Digital Wrench now has a new Motor Controller Update procedure. There was a change made to the temp sensor on the GEM motors which requires a specific calibration of the motor controller to function properly, and accurately read the motors temperature. This new procedure will walk a dealer through the reflash process, to ensure that the motor controller receives the appropriate calibration. |
| 10179040 | Polaris has identified that some GEM vehicles were manufactured with improper steering wheel alignment. This team tip is to inform dealers of an updated procedure in the service manual to show an easier and alternative method to remove and align the steering wheel. |
| 10179039 | Some GEM vehicles built before 3/10/2017 equipped with full doors have been experiencing water entering the cab. This team tip has been released to help dealers order the correct door seal kit for affected GEM vehicles. Door seal kits are an improved set-up to help keep water out of the cab. The striker kit has an adjustable door striker, allowing the door to be pulled in tighter for a better seal, if necessary. |
| 10179038 | This team tip has been released to clearly define Polaris expectations when filing a warranty claim related to GEM shipping damage. In the event that damage occurs during the shipping process, it is critical to adhere to the claim steps outlined in this communication. |
| 10179037 | GEM has received reports of some 2016 GEM vehicles intermittently displaying an incorrect state of charge after charging and use. |
| 10178941 | Some 2016 - 2018 GEM vehicles equipped with halogen headlights have exhibited failures of the headlight switch on the LH stalk assembly. To address this concern, dealers should update affected vehicles with LED headlights and LH switch as directed in the instructions of this bulletin. |
| 10165742 | Some 2016-2018 GEM vehicles built with the 500W DC/DC converter have exhibited premature failure of the component, including some thermal-related damage. To address this concern, GEM is releasing this Service Bulletin for dealers to remove 500W converters on all affected units, and replace with a 300W converter. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DP22005 · Electrical system:propulsion systemopened 27 Jan 2023 · closed 7 Aug 2023
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation