Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Polaris Slingshot, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system2
- Air bags1
- Tires1
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 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 … |
| 2018450 24 Aug 2018 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, a problem with the seat belts could cause them not to stay tight during a side crash. Specifically, the seat belt retractor on the opposite… |
| 2018350 28 Jun 2018 | Other Certain vehicles may fail to conform to the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 111 – Mirrors and Rear Visibility Systems. The rear vie… |
| 2018270 18 May 2018 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the pin and retaining clip that join the brake pedal to the master cylinder may have been installed incorrectly. This could allow the separ… |
| 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… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
19V750000 · Electrical system18 Oct 2019 · 31,987 vehicles
Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.
19V185000 · Seats7 Mar 2019 · 3,311 vehicles
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.
18V531000 · Seat belts15 Aug 2018 · 10,658 vehicles
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.
18V321000 · Service brakes, hydraulic16 May 2018 · 4,342 vehicles
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.
18V195000 · Seats26 Mar 2018 · 24,235 vehicles
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.
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 2018 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 |
| 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. |
| 10179214 | Digital Wrench version 3.9 is now available for download. Updating to version 3.9 is required to update the base Digital Wrench software version from 3.8 to 3.9 to allow for future MY18 vehicle support. |
| 10179067 | At Polaris, we are committed to the safety of our customers and riders. Through product design, dedicated safety engineering, and increased consumer awareness, Polaris continues to work toward a safe riding experience and proper operation of our products. The following information can be used to help identify and report Product Safety Concerns. |
| 10179066 | Polaris has released Team Tip G-16-10-01 to inform dealers that Polaris Mobile Digital Wrench (PMDW) version 3.28 or later requires dealers to enter a valid 10-digit Digital Wrench serial number to operate the app. The serial number requirement has been added to improve visibility to app downloads and usage. |
| 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. |
| 10178803 | Polaris has identified a quality issue affecting a small number of Slingshot mufflers, where insufficient penetration of muffler plug welds weakens the muffler wall, making it susceptible to fatigue failure. The first mode of failure is a loosening of the wall, distinguishable by a rattle during normal engine operation. If left unrepaired for an extended period of time, a hole may form in the muffler wall resulting in noticeably higher noise levels. |
| 10178802 | Due to a vendor change, the clutch master cylinder (PN 24249817) used on some 2015-2019 Slingshot S / SL / LE / SLR / GT models built on or before 01/18/2020 is no longer available and has been replaced with Kit 2208233. |
| 10178801 | Polaris has introduced new software and map updates for the Ride Command Display. Dealers should encourage Slingshot owners using Ride Command to bring their units in to receive the software update. At this time, dealers should also verify the map version and update as necessary. The software update takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, while updating the map file may take up to 2 hours depending on PC configuration and internet speed. |
| 10178800 | Polaris has introduced new software and map updates for the Ride Command Display. Dealers should encourage Slingshot owners using Ride Command to bring their units in to receive the software update. At this time, dealers should also verify the map version and update as necessary. The software update takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, while updating the map file may take up to 2 hours depending on PC configuration and internet speed. Ensure the staff is aware of and has practiced both update processes, so they can provide a positive customer experience. |
| 10178799 | Polaris has introduced new software and map updates for the Ride Command Display. Dealers should encourage Slingshot owners using Ride Command to bring their units in to receive the software update. At this time, dealers should also verify the map version and update as necessary. The software update takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, while updating the map file may take up to 2 hours depending on PC configuration and internet speed. Ensure the staff is aware of and has practiced both update processes, so they can provide a positive customer experience. |
| 10178798 | This Team Tip is designed to bring awareness to updated information regarding hood alignment for all 2015-2019 Slingshot models. Updated information has been added to the Service Manual to provide dealers with clear direction on how to properly adjust hood latches, cable release timing and gap alignment using commercially available tools. |
| 10178797 | All 2017-2019 Slingshot models equipped with the Slingshade accessory (including factory-equipped GT models) present the possibility of contact between the drivers seat headrest and the Slingshade door latch. With the Slingshade door closed, the seat headrest can make contact with the door latch while tilting the seat forward. If the seat is allowed to tilt forward unrestrained, the force of the seat can damage the door latch. |
| 10178796 | Slingshot vehicles utilize Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries which are selected for their superior vibration resistance, weight savings, and high output. This Team Tip is being released to provide the Slingshot dealer network with specific recommendations to help maintain and restore the AGM type batteries used in Slingshot vehicles. |
| 10178795 | Safety Bulletin T-16-06 has been updated to reflect an additional procedure. Polaris has determined that (PN 2207085-XXX) swingarm kits being shipped to dealers did not include two rubber grommets in the swingarm. If the rubber grommets were not included in the kit, remove the grommets from the original swingarm and install into the new swingarm as part of the procedure. |
| 10170165 | Due to a vendor change, the clutch master cylinder (PN 24249817) used on the affected models listed above is no longer available and has been replaced with Kit 2208233. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
PE17005 · Seat belts:front:anchorageopened 18 Sept 2017 · closed 25 Mar 2019
Seatbelt Retractor Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation