2021 Polestar Polestar 2 Complaint Log

Despite multiple software updates to address rear view camera display issues, I still run into the same “rear camera unavailable” message when the car takes too long to bring up the rear camera feed when shifting the vehicle into reverse. The whole software bogs down and gets laggy, and the camera flickers a few times before a black screen taking over and the message popping up. This completely takes away rear visibility to see obstacles or traffic behind me when reversing. Which is why rear view cameras have been mandated for safety. Polestar has issued several software updates and recalls to fix this issue but it still persists. The issue isn’t the software it’s the processing power of the head unit to open the camera and run the necessary software.

Rear view camera does not always activate when car is placed in reverse. Intermittently will show "camera temporarily not available" on the dashboard screen. This is a pre-existing recall problem (NHTSA RECALL 25V-280 dated June 20, 2025) that was supposed to be fixed in an over the air software update version 3.6.3 from Polestar. The current software version is 3.6.4, and the problem with the reverse camera failing remains unchanged despite the most recent software updates.

Polestar released an update to fix the rear camera unavailable issue. Update didn’t fix it on my car.

Following the latest Over The Air software update to version 3.6.4, "Backup Camera Unavailable" error has become much worse, and almost constant. It will flash on and off, sometimes reverting to the 360 degree view, and sometimes not. It often starts to work and then cuts out again after I start reversing out of my garage. With over two dozen children living in our neighborhood, including our own, there are frequently kids, bikes and toys in our driveway, so this feels like a very dangerous condition.

Rear camera shows "Camera is temporarily unavailable" constantly when backing up. This happens often when starting the car.

I’m experiencing an issue with my vehicle’s backup camera. It frequently displays a “temporarily unavailable” message and often lags or freezes during use.

"Camera is not available" messaging when in the process of backing up. My vehicle is updated to the most recent software update (3.5.24) which is the proposed fixed after the latest recall. This is the second software fix for the same recall concern. It's time pressure is applied to release a hardware fix for the issue.

The backup camera on my 2021 Polestar 2 has never functioned reliably. It frequently fails to activate when the vehicle is placed in reverse and instead displays an error message. This is a manufacturer defect. Although the vehicle was recalled for this defect and I had the recall repair performed, the issue persists. The repair did not fully resolve the problem, and the backup camera continues to malfunction intermittently. Reduced Rear Visibility: Without a functioning backup camera, drivers lose critical visibility directly behind the vehicle, especially in blind spots not covered by mirrors. Risk to Pedestrians and Children: Backup cameras are designed to prevent accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, or children who may be behind the vehicle. A malfunctioning system increases the risk of striking someone. Parking and Maneuvering Hazards: In tight spaces, garages, or crowded parking lots, the lack of a reliable rear camera increases the likelihood of collisions with other vehicles, walls, or objects. False Sense of Security: Drivers may assume the camera is functioning and rely on it, only to discover too late that it has failed. This inconsistency creates unpredictable and unsafe driving conditions. Non-Compliance with Federal Safety Standards: Backup cameras are federally mandated safety equipment. A defective or unreliable system means the vehicle does not meet required safety standards. Incomplete Recall Remedy: Since the recall repair did not fully resolve the defect, the vehicle remains unsafe and the manufacturer has not provided an adequate remedy.

Backup camera fails to open much of the time or fails to stay active when in reverse. Sensors are also disabled when the camera fails.

Since the latest OVER THE AIR software update (3.3.18) the backup camera fails to work properly when shifted into reverse well over 50% of the time. When the camera fails, I only see a warming message that indicates "camera is temporarily unavailable" The car already has poor rearward visibility, due to a very small rear window and small exterior mirrors.

Around 50% of the time, the rearview camera video is not available when shifting into reverse.

The contact owns a 2021 Polestar Polestar 2. The contact stated while reversing, the contact became aware that the rearview camera failed to display an image, with the message "Camera Temporarily Unavailable". No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that a software update was required. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V477000 (Equipment, Back Over Prevention); the VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The rear view camera in the car will say that it is unavailable about 30% of the time. The center screen just displays "Camera unavailable" despite it being a legal requirement for it to work. This is a constantly recurring issue, not a one off instance, the car also stops all cross traffic alerts due to the error, I have also had instances where the rearview camera will show up but it is completely frozen and the video does not move. I reported this to my Polestar service center as I am still under warranty and was told that this was normal. I would like to call on nhtsa to do a proper investigation of this, the issue does not happen every time however it happens enough for it to be a danger to everyone around you. I can't trust my rear view camera as sometimes when I start moving the camera will freeze, this leaves me looking at the screen with the car moving and the camera frozen, essentially forcing me to back up COMPLETELY BLIND. The rearview camera in that car does not work, in fact it is a HAZARD as it is so unreliable and prone to freezing. It is a direct violation of 49 CFR § 571.111. This issue has been documented extensively on the forums, updates only make it works and Polestar does not care about the safety of it's own customers.

When I turn the car on by pressing the break and put the shifter into reverse, the backup camera says "unavailable". I can upload a file. The backup camera doesn't work if you don't wait a while in the car before putting it in reverse. On the second situation, the blind spot light goes on when there are no cars behind me. One time, when a lane was splitting into 2, I tried to change lanes and the car jerked hard away. It had the blind spot light on but no cars in visible range.

Back up camera will be completely black and unavailable for no apparent reason.

Backup camera frequently freezes or crashes. Regularly the image will freeze and or flicker. It is also common the camera becomes unavailable displaying an error: camera is temporary unavailable.

The backup camera intermittently fails to load when the vehicle is placed in reverse. While in reverse, the backup camera will occasionally cut out.

Polestar has issued several software updates over the past year that have resulted in serious safety issues: A previous software recall for issues with the vehicle's backup camera has not fixed the issue. About 50% of the time, the vehicles backup camera flashes, freezes, and then fails while reversing before eventually displaying a "Backup Camera Not Available" message. The issue is that this all happens while reversing in motion, meaning it's distracting and dangerous. Similarly, the vehicle's automatic emergency rear braking engages erroneously about 20% of the time while revering. This happens when the system is slow to respond and seems to mistake shadows as objects. It has almost resulted in causing a collision twice now while I was driving. On occasion, the passenger side mirror will fail to raise from the folded position preventing the vehicle from driving safely. The manufacturer continues to claim that software updates have or will fix these issues, however none have been resolved. These issues are not unique to my vehicle either, as they are widely reported online. The vehicle's software has serious safety issues and needs to be resolved. Thank you.

Our front driver seat belt will not lock occasionally and has been increasing in issue not locking. In addition to the obvious safety concern, the vehicle will not operate cruise control, adaptive cruise, lane departure, etc when not locked in. Thus this compounds the safety concern

There is a TBS out for a strut mount bearing replacement that causes clunking/rattling of the front suspension while driving on slight rougher roads or while turning left or right. However, this TSB does not solve the issue. Polestar claims they have an updated component/strut mount bearing that solves the clunking issue but it does not. My vehicle has the latest components installed under warranty (due to my vehicle exhibiting this issue) and it has not solved the suspension clunking. At this point, it is safe to say that the strut mount bearings are not the main or only cause of the front suspension clunking. There are other components involved that may be failing or have failed but have not been properly identified by the service centers or Polestar. Polestar does not seem to want to address this issue head on. In their own TSB, their wording is clear that they wish to delay the process of updating components so as to prevent buy backs during warranty periods. It's written in black and white and this seems highly irregular or illegal to have such a business model. We do not know if this issue poses a safety hazard or not but given it's a front suspension issue, it's only a matter of time before a vehicle loses control due to component failure that was not looked into or was not anticipated beyond the strut mount bearings. Please do something to solve this problem. This vehicle (Polestar 2) has been out now for FIVE YEARS and this issue has yet to be resolved.

Rear backup camera consistently goes out when in reverse. Message on display that camera is not available. Car has poor rear visibility when backing up, the camera going out creates a safety hazard and may result in an accident.

There was a recall due to the rearview camera not coming on when the car is put in reverse. My car was at the shop 3 times for this issue to be fixed and they are unable to fix it. Now the site says there are no recalls on my car. How do I get this fixed? They should be fined for letting this go for years and still not resolving it. They're still selling cars knowing the issue is unresolved.

Cameras do not work on the vehicle. A message displays that they are unavailable. A recall was issued, an update was sent to the car, and now the issue is worse. Car was sent to dealership for full reset and repair and issue is still occuring. I am seeking guidance as the recall is lifted yet the issue is still unresolved.

The reverse camera frequently cuts out and a screen appears that says camera unavailable. Rear visibility through the rear window is bad, without backup camera, its nearly impossible to see when reversing- especially little children. This is a known issue with the vehicle.

I recently started noticing a clicking/tapping noise coming from the rear. It is only when I’m braking under about 20mph. I’ve done some research and it seems other people have had similar issues. It may be caused by the axles in the car but not totally sure.

This car will periodically lose all interior audio function. This includes safety alerts like parking, forward collision, rear collision, cross traffic, and any other alert you can think of including the sound the turn signal makes. Bluetooth audio and radio also unavailable. This is a commonly documented problem as noted by Polestar enthusiasts on Reddit and other forums. Some can fix the problem by performing a reset of the infotainment system. I have had instances in which resetting this system made no difference. The car was unfit by US safety standards until the next day if lucky enough to see the issue self correct. I have only had this car for 4 months, but every week or so this issue has happened at least once. This is an unrecoverable safety issue with risk of assumed safety features arbitrarily not working.

After getting the latest software update supposed to fix the rear camera issues, the problem is still there, it was not fixed how they released on their notes of the recall

The ADAS when reversing does not work properly. While reversing, not only is the ADAS operational but the rear camera is displayed on the infotainment screen, however, over the past year occurring more frequently the screen indicates it's unavailability and we are forced to reverse without the camera. In addition, this issue has been clearly informed to the Manufacturer numerous times and no fix has occur3d .

Infotainment display of backup camera and/or 360° display flickers on and off at times in reverse. I got this car [XXX], and the system software has been updated twice OTA no change. There are many reports of this in online forums including the Official Polestar Community where they dismissed the reports and said it wasn't a support forum. I have a video of it happening here [XXX] Official Polestar Community [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Rear backup camera does not function properly. Was trying to back out multiple times and it would either cut off or flicker.

When first getting started for the day and backing up the backup camera cuts in and out while backing up in an unsafe manner. This is repeatable almost every time I back out of the garage.

The contact owns a 2021 Polestar Polestar 2. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the camera displayed a gray screen and the message “Camera Unavailable”. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the rearview camera software was recently updated under an unknown recall; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

When engaging reverse, the rear view camera feed either cuts out intermittently or never turns on. Without it there is also no way to have a visual indication of incoming rear cross traffic while reversing. This issue happens daily and makes it very dangerous to reverse due to the limited visibility through the small rear window of the vehicle. Often when the camera DOES work, the video feed may freeze or be laggy which causes a false sense of safety when relying on it for visibility. I have attached a still from a video of what this looks like. The full video is hosted on Google drive here: [XXX] There are a substantial number of people reporting this online; probably far fewer are actually reporting this to the NHTSA. I have taken the car to the service center and despite corporate being aware of this issue it has remained unfixed for years. A software update was installed to attempt a fix but it actually made the problem worse. A subsequent return to the service center to reverse the upgrade resulted in even more issues which led to a full software reset of the car. The camera issue has persisted throughout all of this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The backup camera system frequently malfunctions when in use. The image may flicker black, freeze, or delay longer than 2 seconds after switching to reverse. On some occasions the camera shows as completely unavailable. It happens nearly every day, nearly every drive. As a federally mandated safety device with very specific operating parameters I do believe this component is non-compliant and has become a persistent issue for me and other owners.

The rear/backup camera is unstable when in reverse, backing up. The camera cuts in and out repeatedly as the car moves and sometimes switches back and forth to the 360 view over and over. It can stay black for almost 2 seconds at a time!

Since the latest software update, the rear camera feed flickers unpredictably, blocking the rear view. As I understand it these systems are mandated for all cars on US roads and to be more functionally operational than this. I have two of the same model car and this problem started with both with the last software update. This problem started with a software update and resolves when I manually clear the cache in the infotainment system and apply any app updates that are pending suggesting it is purely a software issue. This problem is well known to my service point/dealer and to Polestar corporate, yet there is no fix several months later.

Since the latest software update, the rear camera feed flickers unpredictably, blocking the rear view. As I understand it these systems are mandated for all cars on US roads and to be more functionally operational than this. I have two of the same model car and this problem started with both with the last software update. This problem started with a software update and resolves when I manually clear the cache in the infotainment system and apply any app updates that are pending suggesting it is purely a software issue. This problem is well known to my service point/dealer and to Polestar corporate, yet there is no fix several months later.

Camera constantly lags and glitches in and out when reversing, emergency brakes will activate without warning or any reason to do so.

The backup camera display is constantly turning on and off while reversing the car. This puts the occupants in the vehicle at risk due to the car's poor rear visibility. The display worked flawlessly when the car was first delivered, but one of the monthly software updates seems to have broken this part of the operating system.

While turning at moderate speed into a parking lot across traffic, a rear passenger side suspension component (potentially lower control arm) failed, causing excessive toe and camber on both sides of the rear axle as the components shifted around. At this point, the car stopped driving straight, and crabbed to the side aggressively. It seems to me that some suspension component is either at the design limit in this application and received enough stress to fail during normal operation, or a manufacturing defect wasn't caught and failed over time. My safety was put at risk as the rear wheel was no longer pointed in the direction of travel. Had this occurred at a higher speed (highway cloverleaf for example) complete loss of control of the vehicle would have been likely. Had this failure prevented me from entering the parking lot, I would have been left perpendicular to the flow of traffic and at high risk of collision with other drivers. The problem has been observed by the dealer service center, though they do not yet understand the cause. The components have been inspected by a service tech, but not by any manufacturer representative as far as I'm aware. There were no warnings or other presentation. When the tow driver struggled to drive the car onto the truck, he remarked in surprise that the car still showed no sign that it knew there was a problem. We were unable to get the car entirely onto the trailer, as it pushed sideways threatening to fall off of the ramps. The driver had to secure the vehicle to the ramps and take it like that.

While driving and using my horn the vehicles horn and airbag module fell off. Rendering the horn inoperable and the airbag dangerously loose. Trying to get Polestar to replace the whole module.

Vehicle failed to alert visually and with a sound if you don’t wear your seat belt and start driving. When you start the vehicle, it will tell you to buckle your seat belt. If you fail to do this and start driving, the alert will disappear and there is no warning light or chime telling you to fasten your seat belt for the rest of the drive until you restart the vehicle

I am reaching out to bring to your attention an urgent issue regarding the backup camera in the 2021 Polestar 2. The backup camera frequently fails to work when the car is put into reverse or, even more concerning, it intermittently cuts out while backing up. Given the limited visibility when relying solely on the rearview and side mirrors, this malfunction poses a significant safety risk. The inability to see small children or obstacles behind the vehicle without the aid of the backup camera is a major concern that needs to be addressed promptly. Polestar has attempted several fixes over several years, none to date have resolved the issue. Neither Polestar or NHTSA have taken this issue seriously.