Polestar 2: Recall due to glitch in head unit software

Polestar Automotive USA has found a glitch in the graphical memory allocation process of the infotainment head unit in certain Polestar 2 liftback sedans. As it happens, after selecting reverse, the rearview camera image may disappear due to the recall circumstance.

The Sino-Swedish automaker received the first customer complaint in March 2021. Since the company was sold by Volvo in May 2024, the manufacturer has become more Chinese than Swedish. For whatever reason, the EV-focused brand didn’t start paying attention to the issue until May 2024, when the federal watchdog began raising concerns.

On May 15, the carmaker finally began analyzing consumer input from the US market. Less than two weeks later, Polestar’s safety experts admitted that the absence of the rearview camera image increased the likelihood of a crash. The updated infotainment system software is the remedy for Polestar’s decision to recall the aforementioned vehicles.

Dealers across the country can upgrade the above vehicles from July 1, as the update was posted on VIDA, which means After Sales Vehicle Information and Diagnostics. The update is also accessible via over-the-air. However, after July 19, Polestar 2 vehicles in production will receive the above update. With regard to the affected car population in the US market, Polestar estimates to have produced 25,825 units for the 2021-2024 model years by January 19, 2024.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Polestar have not disclosed the number of customer complaints received from two owners in the US market claiming there is no image from the rearview camera. Notifications will be mailed to owners by August 15. Owners can meanwhile verify if their cars fall under this recall by entering the 17-letter VIN on Polestar’s website. The first letter of the Vehicle Identification Number must be Y.

Switching from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive by default in 2023 with the 2024 model year. In many ways, the Volvo EX40 (previously the XC40 Recharge) and EC40 (previously the C40 Recharge), which share the same compact modular architecture, are more difficult to market than the 2. This is especially true when comparing them with a direct competitor Tesla, Inc.

Starting cost? In the US, Tesla charges $38,990 for the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive and $47,490 for the Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive, while the Long Range Single Motor has a list price of $49,900. At the high end of the range, Tesla’s extremely fast Model 3 Performance All-Wheel Drive costs $54,990, excluding incentives and taxes. The Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor costs $55,300.

Another drawback of the Swedish-inspired Chinese model is its driving range. Consider traveling up to 320 miles (515 kilometers) and 276 miles (515 kilometers), respectively, on the EPA test cycle, while it is possible for the Model 3 to travel 272, 341, and 303 miles (438, 549, and 488 kilometers). Additionally, the four-door sedan from Fremont, California accelerates from zero to sixty quite favorably.