2016 Polaris Slingshot Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Slingshot years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 8 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Polaris Slingshot. That ranks 2nd out of 9 Slingshot model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (7 complaints, 28%), typically at around 1,700 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 25owner complaints
- 8safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 2complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2016 Polaris Slingshot problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 7 | 28% | 1,700 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 24% | 3,250 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 24% | 1,350 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 16% | 1,590 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 3 | 12% | 2,580 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 12% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 8% | 2,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 8% | 52,400 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 8% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 8% | 7,950 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 8% | 852 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 4% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2016 Polaris Slingshot recalls (8)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
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: camera
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 belts
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 ring
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:driveline
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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 system
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.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Driver side.. brake doesnt stop ,can feel it in brake pedal,constantly filling up resorvoir..also stays accelerated when coming to a stop..there is recalls on issue
The contact owns a 2016 Polaris Slingshot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 20 MPH, the power steering failed, and the vehicle drove onto a sidewalk without warning. The contact called the manufacturer and referred him to a local dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 polaris slingshot. While riding at various speeds, the rpms suddenly revved high and the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle was taken to cycle sports center (4001 n. John young pkwy, orlando, fl) where the failure was confirmed, but the cause could not be…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE RESERVOIR SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. A BYSTANDER ASSISTED AND CUT THE CONTACT OUT OF THE SEAT BELT WITH SCISSORS. THE CONTACT SPRAYED THE BASE OF…
2 large rear metal angle reflectors attached with double sided tape 1 detached from body thankfully while sitting at a red light. Metal angles are not secured to frame adequately. Could cause danger to motorist behind vehicle.
Other Polaris Slingshot years
← 2015 Slingshot · 2017 Slingshot →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Slingshot | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 Slingshot | 7 | 0 |
| 2021 Slingshot | 2 | 1 |
| 2020 Slingshot | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 Slingshot | 4 | 4 |
| 2018 Slingshot | 4 | 5 |
| 2017 Slingshot | 10 | 9 |
| 2016 | 25 | 8 |
| 2015 Slingshot | 36 | 9 |
See all Polaris Slingshot problems by year, every Polaris model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Polaris models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Polaris Slingshot?
Owners most often report power train, service brakes, steering problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 7 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Polaris Slingshot?
Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2016 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 2016 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.