Polestar, the Swedish electric car brand, has been forced to announce a massive recall of 30,000 vehicles due to a software issue that prevents the proper functioning of the rearview camera (does this ring a bell?). This error is affecting the Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 models, and it has already been reported to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The vehicle market is more active than ever, but safety should never be left behind. Here’s what’s happening to Polestar.
Polestar? Who are they?
A Swedish high-performance electric car brand, operating under the Geely umbrella but born as a division of Volvo. They make minimalist vehicles with scary technology and the best part, a sustainable approach! The new Tesla rival?
What’s happening to the recalled vehicles?
These vehicles experience issues when engaging reverse gear. As you may know, in the United States it’s mandatory for vehicles to have this rearview camera to ensure pedestrian safety, and the image must be clear, well-angled, and appear within two seconds of putting the vehicle in reverse.
In this case, 27,800 units of the Polestar 2 (produced in 2021 and 2025) fail to show the image in the rear camera, increasing the risk of collisions while parking or manoeuvring.
On the other hand, 3,664 units of the Polestar 3 (a much more recent model) suffer from exactly the same issue.
Both reports have been registered under codes 25-280 and 25V-293.
When will the notice arrive?
Polestar will begin notifying users between June 19 and July 1 of this year, although many users have already started receiving alerts through the vehicle’s connectivity system.
How will they fix it?
It is believed that the solutions will come through updates to the vehicle’s own connectivity system, so users of these cars will save themselves a trip to the shop!
How do recalls work?
The NHTSA evaluates vehicle safety, mainly taking into account consumer reports. In this case, Polestar was the one who reported the error, getting ahead of possible penalties that could have been imposed (since rearview cameras are required by law) and showing a lot of transparency in the process.
Once the NHTSA confirms the issue, it gives them 60 days to inform the owners and provide a solution at no cost to consumers, of course, because they are not at fault for these errors.
If they fail to notify… they could face fines or even more serious legal actions.
What should owners do?
Mainly, check if their vehicle is affected by this recall. How? Very simple, enter your vehicle’s VIN (identification number) on Polestar’s official website or on the NHTSA’s safety portal, there you’ll find out if your vehicle is included or not and when you’ll receive instructions on how to proceed.
What about Polestar’s reputation?
The recall is significant, but for now, it’s not a fatal blow to the brand… Even more so since they have experienced remarkable growth since becoming independent from Volvo and doubled their sales in three years… This recall isn’t going to make them lose popularity, and besides, it’s not the first recall they’ve faced.
And the competition?
More alive than ever. Right now, Tesla, its main competitor, isn’t going through the best time… Beyond Musk’s political involvement (CEO of the company), Tesla is facing various production issues. Could this be the end of Tesla’s reign? Will Polestar take its place on the podium?