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Polestar cars

Polestar 2 problems (2020–today)

The only engine of the Polestar 2 that we have documented, the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Single Motor Extended Range 82 kWh, 252–299 hp, rear-wheel drive (2023–present) and Twin Motor 82 kWh, 421–442 hp, all-wheel drive (2023–present); «With caution» for Twin Motor 78 kWh, 408 hp, all-wheel drive (2020–2023) and Single Motor 69 kWh, 231–238 hp, front-wheel drive (2021–2023).[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Outside the engine: The only documented issues outside the engine on the Polestar 2 are recalls: software and inverters in 2020 (first units) and the rear camera in 2025. We have found no reliability studies or owner testimonials to give solid frequencies.[1][2][7]

Polestar 2 (2020–today)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.3out of 10

Polestar 2 rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 7 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Electric motor5.54 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension7.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes8.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system6.63 faults
  • Headlights and lights8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

Ranked 29 of 95 among the saloons with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Polestar 2

  1. 1Critical severity: Fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022)Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) engine
  2. 2High severity: Faulty inverter causing loss of traction in the first Polestar 2 unitsVolvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) engine
  3. 3High severity: Battery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) engine
  4. 4High severity: Electric motor management software fault causing loss of power while drivingElectrical system
  5. 5High severity: Electric motor inverter fault in the first unitsElectrical system

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

3 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Service campaign for the HVCH heater. See the campaigns for the Polestar 2

7 sourcesHow we work

Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)

Volvo and Polestar CMA: motores síncronos de 231 a 442 CV and baterías de 69 a 82 kWh · Electrical

In the 2
since 2020[1]
Names
Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor · Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor · Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor
Faults that affect it
4 · 3 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
45
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

Faults that affect the 2

  1. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryFire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022)Safety Gate (EU) published alert SR/01964/26 on 10 July 2026: the high-voltage battery of Volvo XC40s built between 2020 and 2022 can overheat and cause a fire (code R10388). The notice does not distinguish between the plug-in hybrid and the fully electric version.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalPower electronicsFaulty inverter causing loss of traction in the first Polestar 2 unitsIn October 2020 Polestar recalled cars for faulty inverters after owners reported loss of power: 4,586 cars in Europe, 3,150 already delivered, and the remedy was to replace the inverter in a single visit. Bumper traces the origin to the tin coating on the capacitor terminals.
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsBattery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2Wikipedia records a recall of all Polestar 2 cars in October 2020 for a software fault that cut power while driving, and Bumper cites another, covering almost 2,400 cars from 2021, for the contactors in the battery control module, resolved with an update at the workshop. Bumper adds reports from UK owners showing the 'Propulsion System Service Required' warning.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: RareCoolingFaulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) in the first Polestar 2 production runPolestar launched a service campaign in November 2020 to replace the high-voltage coolant heater, which warms the cabin and the battery, on the first production run: 138 cars in the UK according to Driving Electric.

2 Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) pageAll versions and faults of the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)

Faults of the Polestar 2 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Polestar 2

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 512 inspections of 450 cars registered between 2020 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.6%.

    Average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.2%.

    Average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 4.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 7.2%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.3%.

    Average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.3%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 13.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 12.1%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Polestar 2

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) (since 2020)

Fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022)

Critical severity

Faulty inverter causing loss of traction in the first Polestar 2 units

High severity

Battery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2

High severity

Faulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) in the first Polestar 2 production run

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Polestar 2

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Polestar 2?

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Own a Polestar 2? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Polestar 2 reliable?

The only engine of the Polestar 2 that we have documented, the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Single Motor Extended Range 82 kWh, 252–299 hp, rear-wheel drive (2023–present) and Twin Motor 82 kWh, 421–442 hp, all-wheel drive (2023–present); «With caution» for Twin Motor 78 kWh, 408 hp, all-wheel drive (2020–2023) and Single Motor 69 kWh, 231–238 hp, front-wheel drive (2021–2023). The only documented issues outside the engine on the Polestar 2 are recalls: software and inverters in 2020 (first units) and the rear camera in 2025. We have found no reliability studies or owner testimonials to give solid frequencies.

What problems does the Polestar 2 have apart from the engine?

The only documented issues outside the engine on the Polestar 2 are recalls: software and inverters in 2020 (first units) and the rear camera in 2025. We have found no reliability studies or owner testimonials to give solid frequencies. The most important documented faults are: electric motor management software fault causing loss of power while driving (electrical system, high severity), electric motor inverter fault in the first units (electrical system, high severity) and faulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) on the first units (electrical system, medium severity).[1][2][7]

What faults does the Polestar 2 have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022) (Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), critical severity), faulty inverter causing loss of traction in the first Polestar 2 units (Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), high severity), battery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2 (Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), high severity) and faulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) in the first Polestar 2 production run (Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Polestar 2?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2026, 2025, 2024 and 1 other years with the same rating (8.6/10); the worst rated is 2020 (6.3/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Polestar 2 have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Polestar 2, such as service campaign for the HVCH heater (2020). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[2]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Polestar 2 (Wikipedia, inglés): recalls y especificacionesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  2. Polestar 2 recall: over 4,500 models recalled due to power failure issueDriving Electric · Motoring press · published 2 November 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026
  3. Polestar 2 Problems / Reliability GuideBumper · Other source · published 2 July 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
  4. Recall zbog opasnosti od požara: opoziv Volvo XC40 (Safety Gate SR/01964/26)Automania.hr · General press · published July 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  5. Fiabilité Volvo XC40 (2017): problèmes connusFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  6. Volvo C40 (Wikipedia, alemán): datos técnicosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  7. Polestar llama a revisión a 28.000 coches por la cámara de visión trasera (titular y extracto en Bing News)Autobild España vía Bing News · Motoring press · published 19 May 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish