2025 POLESTAR Polestar 3

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

5RecallsNHTSA Verified57ComplaintsNHTSA Data1InvestigationsNHTSA Data
Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2025 Polestar 3 exhibits notable reliability challenges, particularly concerning its electrical systems and visibility features. The significant volume of complaints, paired with recalls addressing critical issues, underscores potential risks for owners.

Key Factor:Multiple critical recalls

📋Why This Matters

Vehicle safety is paramount, especially in an era where technological advancements are rapidly integrated. The presence of recalls related to the electrical system and visibility raises red flags; fluctuating electrical components can lead to propulsion failures, endangering drivers and passengers alike. Additionally, the rearview camera malfunction compromises rear visibility, breaching established safety standards—as such defects can significantly impact driving safety and driver confidence.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

Comparative analysis suggests that the reliability of the 2025 Polestar 3 falls below expectations for its segment. With both a high number of complaints and multiple recalls in its short lifespan, this vehicle demonstrates a concerning reliability trend that potential buyers should heed carefully.

Critical Component: Warning

Safety & Reliability Score

52/100
Below Average

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-40
Complaint Impact-2.85
Investigation Impact-5

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2025 POLESTAR Polestar 3

Model Year2025
MakePOLESTAR
ModelPolestar 3
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more →
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Jan25
NEWProduction
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan25
ISSUEFirst Report
Jul25
RECALLRecall Issued
Jul25
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

15 complaints (26% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
✅

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 57 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
1(2%)
🟡Medium
10(18%)
🟢Low
46(81%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

The peak failure range identified at 0-20k miles indicates that early ownership may present significant risks. This statistical data highlights a vulnerable phase for new owners when many of these issues tend to surface, suggesting that regular scrutiny and prompt service actions are essential during this time.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 3 of 57 complaints (5% coverage)
0-20k
3 reports (100%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMBACK OVER PREVENTIONVISIBILITYSTRUCTURE

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Electrical System

Issue: Fluctuations may damage High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM).

✅

Monitor electrical performance closely and seek immediate diagnostics if anomalies arise.

🔍

Confirm whether recalls have been addressed; request documentation of repairs if any were performed.

Campaign:RP1063
2

Back Over Prevention

Issue: Rearview camera may not display image in reverse.

✅

Conduct routine checks on rear visibility functions to ensure reliability.

🔍

Test rearview camera functionality before purchase; insist on rectification of any faults found.

Campaign:N/A
3

Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

Issue: Panoramic sunroof may become detached due to improper securing.

✅

Inspect sunroof integrity periodically as part of regular maintenance.

🔍

'Request verification that sunroof issue has been resolved through recall actions prior to finalizing purchase.'

Campaign:N/A
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your POLESTAR dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (5)

Campaign: 24V940000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

Summary

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 hybrid electric vehicles. Fluctuations in the 12-volt system may have damaged the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM).

Consequence

A damaged HLCM reduces the system's ability to convert energy, causing a sudden loss in drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1043.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc.

Campaign: 25V293000

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Summary

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain Polestar 3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1057.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc.

Campaign: 25V420000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Summary

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. The panoramic glass sunroof may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence

A detached glass sunroof can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Polestar will replace the panoramic glass sunroof, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1060.

Manufacturer: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc.

Campaign: 25V453000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Summary

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. Water may damage the electrical connectors between the engine bay and front bumper cable harnesses.

Consequence

Damage to harnesses can cause various electrical malfunctions, such as a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Polestar will replace the bumper harness and the inline front bumper/engine bay connector on the engine bay harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1063.

Manufacturer: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc.

Campaign: 25V555000

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

Summary

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. The hood wing front bumper may be missing bolts, allowing the bumper to detach.

Consequence

A detached bumper can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Polestar will inspect the hood wing bumper for missing screws. If any screws are missing, the bumper and screws will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1064.

Manufacturer: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

1 investigation

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2025 Polestar 3.

INV-2025-1000🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Polestar 3 performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 27,836

Consumer Complaints

57 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2025 Polestar 3.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning26%
Display18%
Accident7%
Acceleration Issues5%
Stuck5%
Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

I have had multiple issues with my Polestar 3. Most notably, the vehicle lost all propulsion at highway speeds. My safety was heavily jeopardized as I had to merge across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. On the day of the incident, the car's propulsion stopped working 4 separate times. The Polestar service center did nothing other than reset the software and tell me the issue was not repeatable. Additionally, the Polestar 3 has consistently electrical issues. I've had doors handles close on my fingers, the rear hatch close on my head, I had a period of time where the driver door did not open, and many basic elements like handsfree calling and bluetooth fail regularly. I also get repeated phantom front-end collision issues where the car automatically jams on the brakes when there is no actual concern for front-end collision. Lastly, like many Polestar 3 owners, I frequently have had multiple failures of the Level 2 Charging port. For the 2nd time, I am not able to charge at home or at any other Level 2 Charger. And frequent requests from Polestar to alleviate this go unheeded. I've had to spend a ton of time and money on Level 3 charging (like Electrify America) rather than the charger I paid to install at home. Overall, Polestar 3 has been an awful experience and the vehicle should not have been released. I'm effectively a beta tester for a substandard and unsafe vehicle.

Nov 26, 2025Open
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The malfunction I experienced involved the vehicle's electronic safety system, which caused the brake to apply suddenly and without my input. The service center was "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" the specific fault during their inspection and found "NO CODES STORED," noting that the problem was intermittent and not verifiable by the technician. The car is, however, available for inspection.   My safety and the safety of others were put at extreme risk because the car suddenly and unexpectedly applied the brakes while I was driving in the middle of a street, creating an immediate and severe danger of being rear-ended by other traffic.   The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer. The technician's notes explicitly state: "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE, NO CODES STORED," and the issue was recorded as "NO PROBLEM FOUND AT THIS TIME."   The vehicle has only been inspected by a technician at the authorized Polestar service center. There has been no inspection by police, insurance representatives, or any corporate representative from the manufacturer concerning this safety defect.   There were no warning lamps or messages immediately prior to the failure on November 13, 2025.

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #24V940000Recall #25V453000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

Nov 18, 2025Open
Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Date of Incident: [XXX] US Eastern Time Location: [XXX] Incident Type: Safety defect and vehicle malfunction due to Sudden Unintended Acceleration with multiple safety system failures On the date referenced above, while traveling at approximately 5 mph and preparing to park in a gravel parking lot, I removed my foot from the accelerator pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop using the normal deceleration process (with One-Pedal Mode disabled). Instead of the expected behavior, the vehicle: 1.Suddenly and violently accelerated without input 2.Drove straight into a parked vehicle at high speed, completely displacing it 3.Continued accelerating despite my attempts to control it 4.Required multiple brake applications before finally stopping 5.Traveled approximately 270 degrees across the parking lot while I desperately tried to avoid additional collisions 6.There were ~6 women that had been standing exactly where the incident happened only a few minutes before the accident, had I arrived earlier I could have hurt/killed these pedestrians Critical Safety System Failures During This Incident: •No pre-collision warnings or alerts activated •No collision avoidance sensors engaged •No automatic emergency braking deployed •No warning messages appeared on the vehicle display •No audible warning sounds of any kind •No air bag activation after my car rammed into the parked car This represents a catastrophic failure of multiple redundant safety systems that are fundamental to the Polestar 3's safety design. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #24V940000Recall #25V453000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

Oct 11, 2025Under Review
Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

After the car is backed up in reverse, the car is placed in drive however if at a stand still you pull down on the shift lever twice the car thinks it is in adaptive cruise control and as soon as you apply pressure to the accelerator pedal the car speeds up quickly without application of pressure on the accelerator. Multiple times I had to quickly apply the brake otherwise I would have crashed into my garage. I a person was in front of the car they could be injured. The company has not addressed this issue. Also the forward collision warning system activates spontaneously and incorrectly tightening the seat belts suddenly and with force.

Oct 1, 2025Under Review
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The Polestar 3 failed while driving with my family on 8/16/25. It had a propulsion failure (with "turtle mode") and it would only go 6 mph or less and would not go up a hill. With nowhere safe to pull over while on the hill, I had to perform an unsafe maneuver to get the car down a hill to a safe place. Once parked it showed dashes on the dashboard and would not go into drive or reverse. The car was towed--it could not be placed in neutral so had to be dragged up the platform. It was in the service center for 24 days and returned to me without anything fixed. I learned 5 days ago that the service center had requested replacement of the VCU which was denied by Polestar engineering. I feel the car was returned to me in an unsafe condition. The failure happened again recently but fortunately it was parked and would not start. No warning lights, just dashes again on the dashboard. The vehicle has now been at the repair center for 16 days now (40 days total)--the service center has requested VCU replacement which Polestar engineering has denied again. I have requested my options for buy back / lease termination--I was told it would take 4-6 weeks and customer service is not responding to my inquiries now.

Sep 30, 2025Under Review
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The onboard charger has failed twice now in less than 1,800 miles. Bought the car new and it has been in the shop this time for 31 days and parts are not available to fix it until at least Sept. 30th. Also, Volvo Marin never seems to have loaner cars available. Horrible experience with this dealership and car.

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #24V940000Recall #25V453000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

Sep 22, 2025Under Review
Safety Systems🔵 Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

We have owned this vehicle for about 4 months. During that time, it has displayed dozens of error messages about the vehicle's safety systems. Most commonly, it indicates that the safety systems are not available at all. There are also persistent warning lights about faults in the safety systems. Even when they are working, the ongoing warnings, issues and randomly occurring failures of these systems make them unreliable and less safe than not having the assist systems at all. Polestar service had the vehicle for over 7 weeks but still returned it to us with active safety system failure warnings.

Sep 19, 2025Under Review
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Leased a new 2025 Polestar 3 and took delivery Dec 28, 2024. I expected some growing pains as it’s a new car model and relatively new brand, but have had to take it to the dealer and/or call support almost monthly. Most of the issues are resolved via resetting some system, but the major issue has been charging at home. Around March I had an issue where it wouldn’t charge at home and the car stayed with the dealer for 3 weeks (I had a loaner) to replace hardware. Now I’m seeing the same issue occurring which appears as: -Charger and car plug lights are correct (white on charger, green on car) -Car stays “Initializing” longer than normal -Either “Waiting” or “Error” appear onscreen and the car doesn’t charge I am stuck calling the dealer to solve this problem and in the meantime my car won’t charge (undriveable).

Sep 6, 2025Under Review
Other🔶 Medium
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I was parking, lifted my foot off the accelerator to slow my car down, and instead my car unexpectedly went into high acceleration (note: not user error, I took my foot OFF the pedal). My car hit head-on into another car, then I steered the car sideways, and finally was able to get the car to stop by pumping the breaks several times.

Sep 4, 2025Under Review
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car does not AC charge

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #24V940000Recall #25V453000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

Jul 30, 2025Under Review

Frequently Asked Questions

'What common issues should I look for in a used Polestar 3?'

'When considering a used Polestar 3, pay particular attention to the electrical system's performance and the functionality of the rearview camera. Given recent recalls addressing these areas, it's advisable to confirm that all necessary repairs have been made before purchasing.'

'How reliable is the Polestar brand compared to other electric vehicle manufacturers?'

'While Polestar has established itself as an innovative player in the electric vehicle market, recent challenges noted with the Polestar 3 suggest it currently faces reliability concerns. Compared with competitors who have longer-established reputations for dependability, potential buyers should weigh these factors carefully.'

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 5 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your POLESTAR dealer.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in POLESTAR's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Critical: Demand official documentation showing every POLESTAR recall has been satisfied.
  • Investigate whether later Polestar 3 iterations (2026+) rectified these persistent issues.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a POLESTAR specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.
⚖️

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Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.