Premium Swedish-Chinese EV with Google-powered infotainment and solid build quality. The 78 kWh battery holds up well (95%+ health at 50,000 km typical), and mechanical reliability is good for an EV. Main concerns are software glitches in the Android Automotive system, 12V auxiliary battery drain when parked, suspension squeaks/rattles in early cars, and propulsion system warnings requiring expensive module replacements. Many early teething issues were addressed via recalls and OTA updates. Free maintenance for 3 years/100,000 km covers most routine service.
Battery drains when parked, causing complete electrical failure · more· less
The Polestar 2 has well-documented parasitic drain on the 12V battery. Owners return to find their car completely dead after 1-2 weeks parked, unable to unlock with key fob. A module periodically starting up drains the battery. Some 12V batteries were defective from factory. The traction battery should maintain the 12V charge but this system doesn't always work correctly. Workaround: hard-wire a battery maintainer when parked. Dealer replacement typically €450-550 including labor; aftermarket AGM batteries €125-200 plus labor. Warranty covers 50,000 miles only. This issue affects many EVs, not just Polestar.
Infotainment system crashes/freezes€0 - €1,500
Android Automotive system freezes, rearview camera fails, climate controls unresponsive · more· less
42% of owners reported software/infotainment issues in Driver Power survey. System freezes, blank screen on startup, camera unavailable messages, and touchscreen failures. Synchronization errors between parking assist camera and infotainment head unit led to multiple recalls (2021-2025 models). Class action investigation underway for repeated glitches. Most issues resolved via over-the-air updates or dealer software flashes at no cost. Rare cases require infotainment head unit replacement (€1,200-1,500). System slowdown reported after version 3.x updates. Rebooting (hold bottom white bar) often fixes temporary issues.
Suspension squeaks and clunking€200 - €1,200
Clunking over bumps from sway bar links, squeaks from strut mounts and bushings · more· less
Common knocking noise from front suspension, especially over potholes and speed bumps. TSB issued for replacing top strut mounts. Worn sway bar links and bushings are frequent culprits - replacement costs €400-600 per axle. Some Performance Pack cars had defective Ohlins dampers replaced under warranty. The 2,188 kg weight stresses suspension components. Strut mount bolts sometimes insufficiently tightened at factory. Most squeaks/rattles covered under warranty during first 3 years. Later repairs €200-1,200 depending on components affected.
Propulsion system warnings/failures€2,500 - €8,000
Inverter, BECM, or BDU failure causes power loss and service required message · more· less
Sudden loss of power with "Propulsion System Service Required" message. Common causes: inverter failure (€2,500 for part alone), Battery Energy Control Module (BECM), or Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU). Major 2020 recall affected 4,586 vehicles for faulty inverters. BECM replacement requires dropping and opening battery pack (labor-intensive). Estimated out-of-warranty repair €4,000-8,000. Some cases resolved via software update. Early 2020-2021 cars most affected; later production more reliable. Critical to verify recall completion before purchase.
Interior rattles and seat squeaking€0 - €400
Driver seat creaks, dashboard rattles, trim pieces loose · more· less
Driver seat creaking from lumbar area, typically from clips with excessive play. Dealers spray anti-squeak treatment or replace seat clips under warranty. Various rattles reported from speakers, B-pillar, C-pillar, center console, and seatbelt assemblies. Early cars (2020-2021) more affected. Quality control improved on later production. Most fixes covered under 3-year warranty. Out-of-warranty repairs €200-400. Some rattles traced to rear seatbelt assemblies. Build quality generally better than Tesla but variable between individual cars.
Heat pump failure (if equipped)€800 - €2,000
No cabin heat, cold air only, climate control failures · more· less
Heat pump (optional, included in Plus/Climate package) stops producing warm air. ASSM module or leaky heat pump valve replacement needed. High voltage coolant heater failures also reported. Heat pump operates -7°C to 25°C only; below -7°C it's ineffective. Mix-flap linkage under driver's footwell sometimes disconnected, fixable by snapping into place. Rebooting center display resolves software-related climate issues. Replacement parts €600-800, labor adds €200-400. Less common on 2022+ models. ECO climate mode reduces heater output - disable if too cold.
Charging port/cable lock failure€400 - €1,200
Cable stuck, charging error after 5-10 minutes, lock release motor failure · more· less
Charging cable gets stuck in port. Lock release motor under charge port fails. "Charging error - please reconnect" after 5-10 minutes. Ensure CCS cover isn't trapped (common cause). Some onboard charger (OBC) failures on AC charging. Rare BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit) failures prevent DC fast charging. Recall issued for charging port component replacement on some cars. Lock motor replacement €400-600 at dealer. OBC replacement €800-1,200. Most issues warranty-covered. Minimum 240V required for charging. Check cable alignment carefully - even 1-2mm misalignment prevents charging.
High voltage coolant heater (HVCH) failure€600 - €1,500
Battery temperature management failure, reduced range in cold weather · more· less
Major 2020 recall affected 3,150 vehicles. HVCH maintains optimal battery temperature for performance and longevity. Failure causes decreased battery life expectancy and cold weather range loss. Replacement covered under recall. Post-warranty replacement €600-900 for part, €600-800 labor due to access difficulty. Symptoms include "coolant system service needed" warning, excessive coolant loss, poor cold weather performance. Battery thermal management system is otherwise excellent on Polestar 2.
Good EV reliability with some software teething issues
The Polestar 2 ranked 10th of 20 in What Car?'s 2024 EV reliability survey (89.3%). Early cars (2020-2021) had more issues, but most addressed via recalls and updates. Main concerns are software glitches and 12V battery drain rather than major mechanical failures. Battery degradation excellent (typically 95%+ health at 50,000 km). The 78 kWh battery pack and electric motors are proving durable. Most repairs covered under 3-year warranty and free maintenance.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Verify free maintenance schedule used (3 years/100,000 km). Check for recall completion.
Battery health
Request State of Health (SoH) check. Should be 92-95%+ below 80,000 km. Below 90% investigate charging habits.
Tires
Check tread depth, age, and uneven wear. EVs wear tires faster due to weight and torque.
12V battery test
Verify 12V battery holds charge. Leave car unplugged 3-4 days before test drive if possible.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds and rapid acceleration to test all systems.
Specific for this vehicle
Infotainment system full test
Test rearview camera, navigation, climate controls, Google services. Force reboot (hold bottom bar) to check if system restarts properly. Test for blank screen on startup.
Check for propulsion system warnings
Clear any stored fault codes and drive 20+ km. Watch for "Propulsion System Service Required" messages or loss of power.
Listen for suspension squeaks/clunks
Drive over speed bumps, rough roads, sharp turns. Listen for front strut clunking and sway bar link noises. Check for looseness in steering.
Test 12V battery health
If car has been sitting, attempt to unlock. Check for "12V low" warning. Test all electrical systems with engine off for 10 minutes.
Charging test on both AC and DC
Test home charging (AC) and fast charging (DC) if possible. Cable should lock/unlock smoothly. No error messages.
Verify all recalls completed
Check VIN for inverter recall (2020), HVCH recall (2020), rearview camera software (2021-2024), and front ball joint (2023 only).
Interior rattle check
Drive on rough surfaces and listen for rattles from dashboard, B-pillar, C-pillar, seats, center console. Lean back in driver seat to test for creaking.
Heat pump test (if equipped)
Test heating and cooling on maximum settings. Should reach temperature within 5 minutes. No "parking climate temporarily unavailable" messages.
Check software version
Verify car is on latest software version. Older versions had more bugs. OTA update capability working.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Power inverter failure (2020 - 4,586 vehicles)Verify completed
High Voltage Coolant Heater (2020 - 3,150 vehicles)Verify completed
Rearview camera display issue (2021-2024)OTA software update
Front ball joint incorrect installation (2023 only)Loss of steering risk
One Pedal Drive brake function loss (2021, 2024)OTA software update
Contact Polestar Customer Service at 1-800-806-2504 (US) or your regional equivalent with VIN to verify all recalls completed. The 2020 inverter and HVCH recalls are critical. 2021-2024 camera recall via OTA update. Check NHTSA.gov for VIN-specific recall status. There are 36+ TSBs issued covering various issues.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (materials/workmanship)3 years / 60,000 miles
High voltage battery warranty8 years / 100,000 miles
Battery State of Health guarantee70% minimum within 8 years
Body corrosion warranty12 years (perforation)
Free scheduled maintenance3 years / 100,000 km
Extended warranty available1-3 years (must buy within first 3 years)
Strong warranty coverage for EVs
The 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty with 70% SoH guarantee is excellent. Free maintenance for 3 years/100,000 km covers routine service every 2 years. Extended warranty must be purchased within first 3 years of ownership. Coverage equivalent to factory warranty excluding body paint. Third-party warranties available after factory coverage expires, often at lower cost. Check if previous owner used extended warranty year - this may void ability to buy official Polestar extended warranty.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.