2015 Polaris Slingshot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 36 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 9 Slingshot model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 4 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 5 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, wiring, fuses and circuit breakersOct 18, 2019
Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.
Damaged terminals may result in the loss of forward and rear lighting, instrument cluster gauges, or power steering assist. Any of these scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery fuse block terminals and relocate the 50 amp chassis fuse, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris's number for this recall is T-19-01.
Campaign 19V750000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraNov 15, 2018
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.
The melted voltage regulator can increase the risk of a fire. The loss of a tail light can increase the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the back-up camera, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2019. Owners may contact Polaris at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-04.
Campaign 18V809000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsMar 26, 2018
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.
If the seat belt buckle or seat back detach from the seat base, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. If the driver's seat unexpectedly moves, it can cause the driver to lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket and seat back welds, and the seat slider latching function. If the weld is missing or incomplete, or if the slider doesn't latch properly, the seat bases will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-18-01.
Campaign 18V195000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringJun 1, 2017
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.
Contamination of the rear speed sensor will disable the ABS and Traction/Stability Control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the swingarms for missing grommets, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2017. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-888-704-5290. Polaris' number for this recall is T-17-04.
Campaign 17V357000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, drivelineOct 19, 2016
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.
Due to the insufficient swing arm strength, the swing arm may fracture resulting in a loss of momentum or vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and repair or replace the swing arm, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-16-06.
Campaign 16V755000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 18, 2016
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.
The insufficient clearance may allow the fuel line to rub against the hood until it leaks fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the replace the engine fuel line, and inspect the retention clips to reduce the risk of interference, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is T-16-03.
Campaign 16V754000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsNov 20, 2015
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.
A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single headlight relay with a circuit that uses two headlight relays, free of charge. The recall began on December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Slingshot customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is SLI-15-05.
Campaign 15V777000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringDo not drive until repairedJan 21, 2015
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured August 26, 2014, to January 9, 2015, and 2015 Slingshot SL motorcycles manufactured August 18, 2014, to January 10, 2015. In the affected motorcycles, the upper pinion bearing may fail on the steering rack assembly, resulting in the pinion gear disengaging from the steering rack.
If the steering pinion gear disengages from the steering rack, a loss of steering control could result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris' number for this recall is SLI-15-02.
Campaign 15V022000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureDo not drive until repairedJan 20, 2015
Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain model year 2015 Slingshot motorcycles manufactured August 26, 2014, to December 16, 2014, and 2015 Slingshot SL motorcycles manufactured August 18, 2014, to December 15, 2014. The affected motorcycles may be equipped with roll hoops that do not meet hardness specifications.
If the roll hoops do not meet strength specifications, in the event of a rollover crash they may not provide proper protection, increasing the risk of a personal injury.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roll hoops, free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2015. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-651-408-7579. Polaris' number for this recall is SLI-15-01.
Campaign 15V020000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Aug 16, 2020
WHILE I WAS SHIFTING, WHEN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE FULLY REVVED. DURING THIS INSTANCE, I TAPPED THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF IT WAS STICKING. IT WAS NOT STICKING AND WAS FULLY OUT. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST AS I WAS DRIVING ON HILLS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF, WHICH WAS THE ONLY WAS TO STOP THE REVVING. BY THE TIME ALL THIS HAD HAPPENED THOUGH, THE TACH WENT TO 7,000 RPM. THE MOTOR REDLINES AT ABOUT 6400, JUST FYI. THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND A SERIOUS OUTCOME COULD HAVE DEVELOPED, AND WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY DEVELOPED IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE BIKE. THINKING BACK, I WAS PROBABLY DOING 40-50 MPH. SUNNY, ABOUT 90 DEGREES F. IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH A LOT OF HILLS AND TURNS. NOW, RETURNING HOME IT "SORT OF" HAPPENED AGAIN. THE ENGINE REVVED TO ABOUT 3500 RPM THIS TIME WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH TO SHIFT. HOWEVER, NOW BEING ALERT TO THE ISSUE, I PUT IT BACK IN GEAR. THEN PUT IT IN AND OUT OF GEAR TO SEE IF THE REVVING STOPPED. JUST FYI, YES THE BIKE IS A 2015. HOWEVER, THE BIKE ONLY HAS 7,600 MILES. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, I HAD MY WIFE DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO SEE IF I NOTICED ANYTHING. FIRST GLANCE, WITHOUT REALLY INVESTIGATING, I COULD SEE NO LINKAGE IN THE ENGINE BAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THIS JUST HAPPENED TODAY. MY WIFE WILL NOT BE DRIVING THIS BIKE NOW FOR REASONS STATED ABOVE.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOUSLEY MOTORSPORTS (LOCATED AT 1400 CO RD E EAST, ST PAUL, MN 55110, (651) 483-8296) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND SENSOR WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 24, 2017
THE BRAKE PRESSURE SENSORS FAIL. RANDOMLY OR WHEN BRAKES ARE TOUCHED THIS CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SUDDENLY DISENGAGE AND A WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATES BRAKE FAILURE. POLARIS RECOMMENDS "DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE". LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGER STRANDED. WHEN THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT IS RESET THE CYCLE REPEATS.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 26, 2015, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY SLINGSHOT DOWN THE ROAD . THE ROAD IS A SWEEPING CURVE AROUND A POND . THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED ON .THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXTREMELY FAST FORCING ME OFF THE ROAD . I THEN STUCK A TREE . RESULTING IN TWO FRACTURED RIBS AND A FRACTURED SPINE .
Vehicle speed control, Oct 22, 2015
THROTTLE STICKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS--AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL REV REAL HIGH WITH FOOT OFF GAS. GOING INTO TURNS ON BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY-I TAKE FOOT OFF GAS AND IT KEEPS GOING AS IF I HADN'T--SCARY!!
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 23, 2015
FROM DAY ONE IVE EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL TO FREQUENT ENGINE FLARES, WHICH IS, WHEN I PRESS THE CLUTCH ALL THE IN WHILE TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE THROTTLE, THE ENGINE RPM WILL HANG AT IT'S CURRENT VALUE AND WILL SOMETIMES INCREASE 500-1000 RPMS AND REMAIN THERE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE REDUCING ON IT'S OWN. AT TIMES I CAN GO THROUGH SEVERAL SHIFTING EVENTS TO HOURS OF NORMAL OPERATION WITHOUT PROBLEMS BUT, THE FLARING HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED ON EVERY RIDE IVE BEEN ON. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO HE RE-FLASHED THE ECU WHICH MADE THE ENGINE RUN SMOOTHER BUT DID NOT FIX THE FLARING ISSUE. MY DEALER TELLS ME THAT POLARIS TELLS HIM, THAT ENGINE FLARING DURING SHIFTING IS NORMAL AND SHOULDNT BE WORRIED ABOUT. IF I'M DRIVING IT INCORRECTLY OR "SOMETHING IS INTERFERING BY HOLDING THE THROTTLE, IT WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I SHIFTED HOWEVER, AFTER TODAY I NEED ACTION. I WAS IN MY GARAGE STARTING MY 2/15 BUILT SS SL WITH 3500 MILES. AS I HAVE FROM DAY ONE, I ALLOWED THE ECU TO COMPLETE THE BOOTING CYCLE AND ALLOWED THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP BEFORE I PRESSED THE DASHBOARD START BUTTON. THE ENGINE START CYCLE STARTED WITH A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SOUND, ALMOST AS IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRED SLIGHTLY BUT NOT AN ACTUAL BACKFIRE. AS THE ENGINE CAME TO LIFE THE RPM INSTANTLY WENT TO THE REV LIMITER AND HELD THERE FOR 1.5 TO 2.0 SECONDS THEN STARTED DOWN IN A FEW DECELERATING STAGES TO IDLE BEFORE I HAD MY WITS TO TURN OFF THE KEY. I WAS STUNNED AND MY WIFE, WHO WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF IT, JUST ABOUT DISLOCATED A HIP GETTING OUT OF THE WAY. THE FACT THAT YOU MUST PRESS THE CLUTCH IN IN ORDER FOR THE START CYCLE TO COMMENCE AND THE FACT THAT I ALWAYS START IN NEUTRAL, AVERTED CATASTROPHE. ALL OWNERS AND POLARIS SHOULD BE ON ALERT AND ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED MY DEALER HAS OFFERED TO COME AND PICK IT UP. POLARIS IS NOT BEING RESPONSIVE AT ALL ON THIS ISSUE.
Vehicle speed control, Traction control system, Apr 29, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE MOTORCYCLE BY SHIFTING DOWN THE CLUTCH AND TURNING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. WHEN THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.