2016 Polaris Slingshot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 25 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 9 Slingshot model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 2 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.
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
Service brakes, hydraulicOct 18, 2016
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.
Over tightening of the brake pressure switch may damage the seal, allowing brake fluid to leak, resulting in reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will install new brake pressure switch seals, 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-16-02.
Campaign 16V752000 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
Representative owner complaints: power train
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Power train, Jan 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE UNIVERSAL COUPLING WAS LOOSE. THE YOKE NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS METAL FLAKES WERE IN THE GEAR BOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE BRACKETS, BUT THE BOLTS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE YORK, UNIVERSAL COUPLING, AND GEAR BOX WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A POLARIS DEALER AS THE LOCAL DEALER WAS SOLD. THE CLOSET DEALER WAS ALMOST 300 MILES AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A POLARIS DEALER FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT SEND PARTS TO A NON-AUTHORIZED POLARIS DEALER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD EXPIRE IN FEBRUARY OF 2018. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,407. *TT *TR
Power train, May 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V754000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V752000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V754000 (FUEL SYSTEM), AND 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Dec 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V755000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 01/23/17 *BF *TR
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Nov 4, 2016
REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE WENT OUT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE CROSS OVER DRIVE HAS WENT OUT ONCE, POLARIS IS WANTING TO REPLACE THE CROSS OVER DRIVE AGAIN AND THE DEALERSHIP IS WAITING ON NEW SWING ARM ASSEMBLY...DEALERS HAVE RECEIVED A NO SALE ORDER NATION WIDE FOR SLINGSHOT! THE PROBLEMS ALL OCCURRED WHILE OPERATING AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS ON THE FREE WAY AND CITY STREETS WHILE IN TRAFFIC...THE VEHICLE IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD.
Power train, Oct 29, 2016
ON 10/28/2016 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, FREEDOM POWERSPORTS, WEATHERFORD, TX TO HAVE A MINOR, BUT PERSISTENT FLUID LEAK CORRECTED. WHEN I ARRIVED THE DEALER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SWING ARM AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAINTAIN POSSESSION OF MY VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE DEFECT WERE RECEIVED AND INSTALLED. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED IT WOULD BE "AT LEAST A MONTH" BEFORE I COULD EXPECT IT TO BE RETURNED TO MY POSSESSION. HE STATED THAT A "DO NOT RIDE, DO NOT SALE" ORDER HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BY POLARIS. HE FURTHER STATED THE SWING ARMS COULD BREAK, CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I ACCEPTED THIS EXPLANATION DUE TO THE POTENTIAL DIRE CONSEQUENCES. IN TURN, I CONTACTED POLARIS CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO TOLD ME THAT IT (AND I HAVE AN E-MAIL TO SUPPORT) THAT IT WAS NOT A "DO NOT RIDE" ORDER THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN AT MY DISCRETION, ETC., CONTRADICTING WHAT THE DEALER HAD TOLD ME. I CONTACTED THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 29, 2016 WHO TOLD ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS INFORMING POLARIS SLINGSHOT OWNERS OF THE INFORMATION THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT POLARIS HAD CONTACTED THEM FOLLOWING MY CALL TO POLARIS STATING THAT THEY WERE MISINFORMED, ETC. THIS HAS POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES TO OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND SEEMS TO PRESENT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT POLARIS IS NOW TRYING TO COVER UP. THIS CONSUMER IS LEFT WITH NO CONFIDENCE ABOUT POLARIS, THE VEHICLE AND/OR THE DEALER AS A RESULT. THE FACTS RELATED TO THIS "SAFETY BULLETIN" NEED TO BE COMMUNICATED TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AND THE OWNERS, ASSUMING THE FACT IS THE PARTS WILL NO BE AVAILABLE SOON, SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. THE LACK OF ACCURATE COMMUNICATIONS IS ALSO A CONCERN.