Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Polaris Slingshot, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train7
- Service brakes6
- Steering6
- Suspension4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Electrical system3
- Structure2
- Unknown or other2
- Wheels2
- Seat belts2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 Polaris Slingshot.
| 2026294 10 Jun 2026 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver's seat belt anchor point may be positioned too high. Canadian regulations require seat belt anchorages to be installed … |
| 2019545 30 Oct 2019 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the terminals of the battery fuse block could be damaged during normal driving. This can result in a loss of forward and rear light… |
| 2019136 14 Mar 2019 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the seat base may have been assembled improperly. This could cause the seat belt buckle to detach or cause the seat slider not to … |
| 2018633 19 Nov 2018 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the rearview camera could fail internally and overheat, creating a fire risk. This could also result in loss of tail light function. Both o… |
| 2018144 27 Mar 2018 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the seat belt buckle and seat back may dislodge from seat base and/or the seat sliders may not latch properly. If the seat were to slide un… |
| 2017294 5 Jun 2017 | Suspension On certain vehicles which had a rear swing arm previously replaced under recall T-16-06 (Transport Canada no. 2016-520), the swing arm may have been installed w… |
| 2017155 21 Mar 2017 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles may not comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 208 - Occupant Protection in Frontal Impacts. The vehicle fails to provide an … |
| 2016522 24 Oct 2016 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the brake pressure switch may have been over torqued during manufacturing. After a period of non-use, this could cause the brake seal to le… |
| 2016520 24 Oct 2016 | Suspension On certain vehicles, due to a defect in manufacturing, the rear swing arm may not meet strength specifications. This could result in the potential for the swing… |
| 2016521 24 Oct 2016 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, there may be insufficient clearance between the fuel line and hood structure. This can result in abrasion of the fuel line, which could res… |
| 2015558 24 Nov 2015 | Lights And Instruments On certain vehicles, the electrical relay used for the headlight circuit could cause the headlights to operate intermittently or turn off while the vehicle is i… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.
Polaris Industries (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Polaris Slingshot, Slingshot SL and Slingshot SL LE motorcycles equipped with a backup camera. The back-up camera may fail internally, possibly melting the voltage regulator and blowing the fuse for that circuit, thereby preventing the taillight from functioning properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.
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.
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Slingshot vehicles. The affected vehicles previously had their rear swingarms replaced during the remedy of NHTSA recall number 16V-255. The replacement swingarms may have been installed without the sealing grommets installed, potentially resulting in road debris contaminating the rear wheel speed sensor.
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured March 4, 2014, to September 7, 2016. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a swing arm that has insufficient strength.
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured December 28, 2015, to April 27, 2016. The brake pressure switch may have been over tightened in the affected motorcycles.
Polaris Idustries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured March 4, 2014, to October 7, 2016. The affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the fuel line and the hood structure.
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured April 21, 2014, to October 22, 2015, Slingshot SL motorcycles manufactured April 28, 2015 to October 23, 2015, and Slingshot SL SE motorcycles manufactured December 15, 2014, to October 22, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the headlight relay may fail and result in a loss of headlights.
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 Polaris told its dealers about the 2016 Polaris Slingshot: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011511 | This Slingshot help center article provides information regarding adjustment and maintenance of the headlamps on Model Year 2019 and older Slingshot vehicles. |
| 10235781 | This article provides information regarding battery maintenance on MY2019 and older Slingshot vehicles. |
| 10219431 | Slingshot has received a small number of post-repair contacts due to improperly installed rear axles, sprockets, and bearings. This Team Tip outlines the importance of all Loctite residue being removed from components as well as proper installation. |
| 10208650 | Best practices for gauges, speedometers and tachometers regarding Slingshot vehicles. This version has been translated into French. |
| 10205936 | Slingshot Ride Command Cell Modem |
| 10195280 | 579.5 Notices, Bulletins, customer satisfaction campaigns, consumer advisories, and other communications for the month of November 2015 |
| 10193932 | Customers come in with a key that was left off or a low battery event that caused their calculated DTE to be a random number. The quickest way to address this is the following: 1. Reset both Trip meters 2. Reset the AVG FUEL ECONOMY 3. Disconnect the battery for 20 minutes. 4. Reconnect and test ride vehicle for minimum 20 miles to get an average economy again. |
| 10191555 | STOP SALE on affected Slingshot units identified in your inventory until further notice. |
| 10188565 | Winterizing tips for the Slingshot. |
| 10179221 | We have identified your dealership as taking delivery of one or more Slingshot units that has a right turn signal that doesn't display the turn signal on the gauge. |
| 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. |
| 10178913 | A new wheel alignment kit has been developed for the Polaris Slingshot. This special tool will allow your dealership to easily check and precisely adjust the alignment settings for wheel toe, caster, and camber. These settings are critical for optimal vehicle performance, and should be checked as a regular maintenance item, as well as any time a modification is made to the suspension or steering system. |
| 10178911 | Some Slingshot vehicles could experience extended brake pedal travel that may lead to a feeling of poor brake performance. To address this, Slingshot has developed a Secondary Brake Bleed Procedure that will more effectively remove air from the brake system. |
| 10178910 | Some Slingshot models may experience a brake pedal that travels further than expected when pressure is applied. This may cause a feeling of poor brake performance and lead to a loss of confidence in the ability of the brake system. To address this, Slingshot has developed a Secondary Brake Bleed Procedure that will more effectively reduce air in the brake system. |
| 10178909 | Polaris has determined that some Slingshot vehicles could have a steering shaft pinch bolt and set screw that do not meet Polaris quality standards. To improve the steering shaft fit and reduce steering wheel free-play, Polaris has completed validation of revised steering shaft hardware. |
| 10178908 | Polaris has determined that the backup camera in some 2016 Slingshot vehicles does not meet Polaris quality standards. Affected backup cameras exhibit higher levels of electrical interference, negatively impacting FM and AM radio reception. To resolve this concern, Polaris has completed validation of a revised backup camera that eliminates interference. |
| 10178907 | Slingshot has had a small but concerning number of post bulletin repair contacts due to failure to properly assemble the rear axle, sprocket and nuts. Improper installation may result in a rear axle assembly with insufficient clamp load. When proper clamp load is not achieved, the vehicle may experience erratic or incorrect rear wheel speed sensor readings. Symptoms include a reduction in deceleration during engine braking and a feeling of cruise control being engaged or the ABS solenoid being activated during light to moderate braking. This may occur when the axle splines or sprocket splines |
| 10178906 | Polaris has developed a new engine airflow management system, designed to enhance rider comfort in the occupant area of the vehicle. The new design directs air from under the hood area to underneath the vehicle, thereby reducing air transfer to the vehicle cockpit. |
| 10178905 | The Slingshot Division of Polaris Industries has developed a hood bumper replacement kit for all 2015 and 2016 Slingshot models. The original hood isolator brackets are composed of a rubber pad adhered to a metal support bracket. In some cases, the rubber pads may separate from the metal support bracket due to heat and vibration. |
| 10178904 | A new pinion seal service procedure has been developed that will allow for service of the seal without removing the angle drive from the vehicle or fully disassembling it. The new procedure details replacement of the pinion shaft crush sleeve which sets pinion gear depth and angle drive backlash. Properly setting pinion gear depth is essential to angle drive performance and longevity. |
| 10178901 | The Slingshot Division of Polaris Industries has developed updated rear sprocket retaining nuts and Loctite on 2016 Slingshot models manufactured after 11/02/2015. The single hex flanged-style nut has been replaced with two hex head nuts. Loctite 641 (Yellow) applied to the rear axle splines and threads has been replaced by Loctite 680 (Green). |
| 10178899 | The Slingshot Division of Polaris Industries has developed an updated ECU calibration for 2016 Slingshot models that includes improvements to idle control. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Seatbelt Retractor Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation