MY BROTHER WAS KILLED WHILE OPERATING HIS POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE VEHICLE FRAME OFFERED ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THE BARS WELDED ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE CRUSHED FLAT, TORN, AND SEVERAL WELDS HAD SEPARATED. ONE OF THE BARS WAS EVEN PUSHED TO THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND NOW SITS NEAR THE SHIFTER. IT …
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MY BROTHER WAS KILLED WHILE OPERATING HIS POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE VEHICLE FRAME OFFERED ABSOLUTELY NO SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. THE BARS WELDED ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE CRUSHED FLAT, TORN, AND SEVERAL WELDS HAD SEPARATED. ONE OF THE BARS WAS EVEN PUSHED TO THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE AND NOW SITS NEAR THE SHIFTER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BARS MEASURED A MERE .059 THOUSANDTHS OF AN INCH THICK. FOR COMPARISON, A CHEVY SILVERADO EXHAUST PIPE MEASURES .079 THOUSANDTHS OF AN INCH THICK, 30% THICKER. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF A VEHICLE FRAME BUILT OUT OF WHAT APPEARS TO ME TO BE MUFFLER PIPE. ALSO HAS ANY CORROSION TESTING HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE. SLINGSHOTS ARE OPERATED DAILY IN THE SALT AIR OF OUR COASTAL REGIONS. WILL THE FRAMES OF THESE VEHICLES ONE DAY FAIL BECAUSE OF CORROSION, MUCH LIKE EXHAUST PIPES? MY BROTHER PURCHASED HIS SLINGSHOT BASED ON THE PERCEIVED SAFETY OF THE SLINGSHOT'S STEEL FRAME THAT SURROUNDS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT SEEMS MOST PURCHASERS OF THIS VEHICLE MAY PERCEIVE THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF PROTECTION OFFERED. I BELIEVE NHTSA OPERATES UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IF A MANUFACTURER DESIGNS A SAFETY FEATURE INTO A VEHICLE, THEN IT MUST WORK, WHETHER IT IS REQUIRED ON THAT VEHICLE OR NOT. WITH THAT BEING SAID, DOES THE PLACEMENT OF THESE BARS AND HOW I THINK MOST REASONABLE PEOPLE PERCEIVE THEM, CAUSE THEM TO FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY. POLARIS SEEMS TO HAVE INTENDED TO BUILD SOME DEGREE OF ROLLOVER PROTECTION INTO THE SLINGSHOT BASED ON THE RECALL OF THE ROLL HOOPS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:15V020000). BUT, BOLTING NEW, STRONGER ROLL HOOPS TO A FRAME THAT APPEARS TO BE THE THICKNESS OF MUFFLER PIPE SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE. HAS POLARIS DONE ANY STRENGTH TESTING ON THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE TO MEASURE ROLLOVER SURVIVABILITY?
NHTSA ODI #11080272
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2015
SteeringStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS:15V022000 (STEERING) AND 15V020000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 POLARIS SLINGSHOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS:15V022000 (STEERING) AND 15V020000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 5/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/02/15*JB
Polaris Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Slingshot motorcycles. Excessive electrical current may damage the battery fuse holder terminals.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The melted voltage regulator can increase the risk of a fire. The loss of a tail light can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Seat Belts
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Contamination of the rear speed sensor will disable the ABS and Traction/Stability Control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Traction Control System
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.
Consequence: Contamination of the rear speed sensor will disable the ABS and Traction/Stability Control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring
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.
Consequence: Contamination of the rear speed sensor will disable the ABS and Traction/Stability Control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights
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.
Consequence: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System
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.
Consequence: A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the steering pinion gear disengages from the steering rack, a loss of steering control could result, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
We opened this PE after receiving an allegation of a sudden, catastrophic, right front wheel failure.Since opening it, we have met with dealer service personnel, interviewed owners, monitored various web forums, and requested information from Polaris.We are unaware of any additional wheel failures occurring in the six months since we began investigating this subject.Currently, no actionable defect trend exists which would justify continuing to investigate this matter.Consequently, this PE is closed.We will continue to monitor owner complaints, web forums, EWR data, etc and, if warranted by new facts, we will reopen an investigation.
2015 Polaris Slingshot Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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