2021 Polestar Polestar 2 problems
The 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 has 146 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 has 146 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 12 complaints (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Polestar 2 (this page) | 146 | 0 |
| 2022 Polestar 2 | 302 | 1 |
| 2023 Polestar 2 | 114 | 1 |
| 2024 Polestar 2 | 23 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2021 Polestar Polestar 2? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- visibility — 12 owner reports · ~$350 to fix
- electrical — 9 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
- suspension — 3 owner reports · ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: visibility is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is suspension (~$900) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Polestar Polestar 2
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The backup camera fails to activate, freezes up, or turns off while backing up. The rear window of this vehicle and the height of the trunk block visual sight lines making the camera essential. I am a software engineer, it is clear to me that the combination information screen…
There was a recall due to the rearview camera not coming on when the car is put in reverse. My car was at the shop 3 times for this issue to be fixed and they are unable to fix it. Now the site says there are no recalls on my car. How do I get this fixed? They should be fined…
Under regen braking the car has very loud ticking in the rear and feels as if the axles are sheering themselves. Looking into the issues with other owners the culprit is the ERAD motor turns to recoup the energy. It looks like this component is used in a wide variety of Volvo…
When making a sharp left turn at full steering lock the car makes clicking noises. Service center states it is CV joint related and several cars with this performance suspension have this problem. It may be a safety hazard should the CV joint fail and it is a known issue.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ25004 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Polestar Polestar 2?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 12 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 146 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Polestar Polestar 2?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 12 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Polestar Polestar 2 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Polestar Polestar 2?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 146 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.