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Polaris SlingshotModel year report

2016 Polaris Slingshot Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
1,900miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
8campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Polaris Slingshot (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2016 Polaris Slingshot. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and steering (6). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 94% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 1,900 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 43 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Engine (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Rear wheel bearings have went out on two occasions, the cross over drive has went out once, Polaris is wanting to replace the cross over drive again and the dealership is waiting on new swing arm assembly...dealers have received a no sale order nation wide for Slingshot! The problems all occurred while operating at high and low speeds on the free way and city streets while in traffic...the vehicle is a clear safety hazard.”

NHTSA complaint #10924352, filed 2016-11, 4 miles

Brakes: “Brake pedal travels down to the flood when applied. Dealer states that all slingshots act this way. The pedal will come back up if pumped. Brakes have been checked by dealer. No air in the line. The problem must be the brake master cylinder.. When traveling at normal road speed and brakes need to be applied, the pedal goes to the floor and braking efficacy in compromised. I called Polaris, but nobody has returned my call.”

NHTSA complaint #10789404, filed 2015-11, 5 miles

Steering: “While driving approximately 60 MPH, epas warning light came on and the vehicle's power steering immediately disengaged. Pulled over, shut the Slingshot off, waited awhile, and then restarted, the light came back on for 1/8th of a mile and then light went out, and then power steering was back to normal. This is a safety issue and should be investigated. Bought Slingshot on 02/25/2016.”

NHTSA complaint #10853075, filed 2016-04, 800 miles

Suspension: “I was coming out of a round a bout intersection in the city, where I had to make a right turn into it and and a right turn out of it. Just as I came out of the turn, there was a jolt and as if I'd been hit from the side in rear. I was able to steer out of it and into a parking lot that was right there. I was only moving at 30 MPH when the swing arm snapped from the stress of the turn. If this happened on the highway or on a mountain road, I may well have been killed.”

NHTSA complaint #10882404, filed 2016-07, 1,480 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

94% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,480 and 5,000 miles.

83%0–1011%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1006%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 1,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

20152016820172018201920212022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 8 recalls for the 2016 Polaris Slingshot → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 43 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 43 bulletins →

Other model years of the Polaris Slingshot

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202272,8002———Not enough data
2017104,8879———Not enough data
2016251,9008——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
2015362,0509——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling

All Polaris Slingshot model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Polaris Slingshot have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2016 Polaris Slingshot as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Polaris Slingshot is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 2016 Polaris Slingshot been recalled?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Polaris Slingshot reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 1,900 miles and the middle half falls between 1,480 and 5,000 miles; 94% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.