2015 Polaris Slingshot Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 25, 2021 · 36 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Slingshot years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 9 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Polaris Slingshot. That is the most of any Slingshot model year in the database (9 years). The most reported problem area is engine (8 complaints, 22%), typically at around 500 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Polaris Slingshot
Polaris Slingshot. Fayetteville Arkansas USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: wallerdog, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2015 Polaris Slingshot problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine8 · ~500 mi
Vehicle Speed Control7 · ~5,000 mi
Power Train6
Suspension6 · ~2,050 mi
Service Brakes5 · ~3,500 mi
Electrical System4 · ~11,568 mi
Fuel/propulsion System4
Steering3 · ~40 mi
Seat Belts2
Structure2
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine822%500——
Vehicle Speed Control719%5,000——
Power Train617%———
Suspension617%2,050——
Service Brakes514%3,500——
Electrical System411%11,568——
Fuel/propulsion System411%———
Steering38%40——
Seat Belts26%———
Structure26%———
Unknown or Other26%———
Wheels26%1,284——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)13%100——
Fuel System, Gasoline13%———
Traction Control System13%5,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 10 complaints
2015: 9201592016: 8201682017: 102017102018: 3201832019: 4201942020: 1202012021: 120211

n = 36 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2015 Polaris Slingshot recalls (9)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakersOct 18, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V750000 · 31,987 vehicles

Problem: Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraNov 15, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V809000 · 11,371 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The melted voltage regulator can increase the risk of a fire. The loss of a tail light can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Seats; seat beltsMar 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V195000 · 24,235 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Traction control system; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ringJun 1, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V357000 · 8,962 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Contamination of the rear speed sensor will disable the ABS and Traction/Stability Control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Power train:drivelineOct 19, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V755000 · 17,572 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 18, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V754000 · 17,795 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Exterior lighting:headlights; electrical systemNov 20, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V777000 · 9,182 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

SteeringDo not driveJan 21, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V022000 · 1,896 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the steering pinion gear disengages from the steering rack, a loss of steering control could result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

StructureDo not driveJan 20, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V020000 · 1,577 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Seatbelt Retractor Failure (PE17005) — opened Sep 18, 2017, closed Mar 25, 2019, led to recall 18V531000.
  • Front wheel failure (PE15016) — opened Apr 20, 2015, closed Oct 16, 2015.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

RPM hang on start and shifting gears on start engine rpm goes to 7000 and hangs there I have to shut it off and restart on shifting the rpms hang at the previous level Example in 1st gear shifting to 2nd Clutch at 2000 rpm stays there clutch out in 2nd maintains 2000 rpms with no increase on gas…

Engine · received Sep 25, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11434328

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…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Aug 16, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11349683

IN REGARDS TO AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY POLARIS SLINGSHOT PURCHASED ON JUNE 6, 2015. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE I BEGAN EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY HIGH ENGINE EVOLUTIONS DURING THE PROCESS OF SHIFTING GEARS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE ON 06/162015 CLOSEST POLARIS DEALERSHIP XTREME MACHINES…

Electrical System · received Aug 9, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11243613

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 polaris slingshot. The contact stated that he checked the tire pressure and removed the front passenger side tire. Afterwards, grease came out of the cracked seal and the wheel bearing looked worn and loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and…

Suspension · received Jun 13, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11219876

Steering racket pinion broke fell apart bearing fell out

Steering · received May 15, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11207839

Other Polaris Slingshot years

2016 Slingshot →

See all Polaris Slingshot problems by year, every Polaris model, or the VIN decoder.

Similar Polaris models

Embed this 2015 Polaris Slingshot badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Polaris Slingshot?

Owners most often report engine, vehicle speed control, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 8 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2015 Polaris Slingshot?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2015 Polaris Slingshot a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Slingshot model years, the 2015 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.