BeforeYouBuyAuto

Free used car buyer guide / 1st Gen / 2021-2025

Polestar 2 common problems and best years

By BYBA Research - how we score cars

Updated 2026-06-12

BYBA Buy Score

7.2/10

Buy with checks

2 walk-away risks, 6 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: propulsion system warning from inverter, becm or hv contactor control. Score methodology.

The Polestar 2 is a strong used EV for buyers who want Volvo-like structure, Google infotainment and realistic motorway range, but it is not a buy-and-ignore appliance. The expensive traps are early dual-motor inverter/propulsion faults, BECM software that can open the high-voltage contactors, TCAM failures that kill app/GPS/SOS functions, heat-pump or coolant-pump faults, and the 2025 rear-camera recall population that may still be waiting for a permanent software fix. The safest buy is a 2023-2024 Long Range Single Motor or later Long Range Dual Motor with completed RP1056/RP1069 camera work, no repeat TCAM replacement history, and clean AC plus DC charging tests. Current owners should treat software updates, 12V health and charging behaviour as maintenance items, not annoyances to postpone.

Faults covered

8

Highest risk

Propulsion system warning

Best years

2023-2024

Best buys

  • 2023-2024 Long Range Single Motor with Pilot/Plus but no repeated TCAM work orders
  • 2024 Long Range Dual Motor after the rear-drive-biased update, provided both inverters scan clean
  • Any car still inside Polestar high-voltage warranty with dealer printout showing BECM and camera recalls complete

Inspect hard

  • 2021-2022 dual-motor cars for propulsion warnings, inverter replacement and high-voltage contactor software history
  • All Plus/heat-pump cars: verify real cabin heat, defrost speed and coolant pump behaviour from cold
  • Every car: put it in reverse several times and confirm rear camera appears immediately, not frozen or black

Avoid

  • A car with active 'Propulsion system service required' at the viewing unless the seller repairs it first
  • Any Polestar 2 that will not charge on both AC Level 2 and a public DC charger
  • Repeated TCAM resets with no replacement record, especially if phone-as-key is the seller's only key story

Next checks

Before you contact the seller

Check the car's history first. Then bring the right tools if it still looks worth viewing.

Primary next step

Check history, title, and recall status

The faults above matter more if the car also has accident history, finance flags, missing service records, or open safety recalls.

carVerticalPaid history report - EU/UK fitVinAuditPaid history report - US fitNHTSA recallsFree recall lookup

Viewing kit

Bring the right tools

Four cheap tools catch most of the faults on this page at a Polestar 2 viewing.

Bluetooth OBD2 scannerRead fault-code history before trusting a clear dashboard.Paint thickness gaugeSpots resprays and hidden accident repair in seconds.Brake fluid testerHigh moisture means neglected maintenance everywhere else too.LED inspection lightEngine bay, sills, and underbody never lie under real light.

Printable workflow

Take the inspection pack

The PDF is the ordered checklist for the viewing: documents, walk-around, test drive, and scan.

Open PDF option

Some links here are partner links. If you buy through one, BYBA earns a commission. The price you pay does not change. How we make money.

Engines and trims

Which Polestar 2 should you buy?

On most used cars, the engine and trim choice changes the risk more than the mileage does. Narrow this down before you start viewing cars.

64 kWh Standard Range Single Motor

2021-2022 in selected European markets

CITY BUY ONLY

The small pack suits short commutes and avoids some of the dual-motor inverter exposure, but resale is thinner because range is the first compromise buyers notice. It is the wrong car for cold-country motorway use unless the price is clearly below a Long Range car.

78 kWh Long Range Dual Motor

2021-2023

CHECK PROPULSION HISTORY

This is the early performance image car and the one most likely to show the full software stack: twin inverters, TCAM, BECM, heat pump and Android Automotive. Buy it only with evidence that high-voltage contactor/BECM updates and any inverter campaigns have been done.

78 kWh Long Range Single Motor, front-drive

2022-2023

BEST VALUE

Fewer drive components and lower peak current make this the simpler ownership case. The common faults are still TCAM, camera and charging software, but the drivetrain itself is calmer than the early dual-motor cars.

82 kWh Long Range, rear-drive or updated AWD

2024-2025

BEST HARDWARE, VERIFY CAMERA RECALL

The 2024 update brought better motors, improved range and a more mature thermal strategy. The reason to pause is not the pack; it is the 2021-2025 rear-view-camera recall population and whether the VIN has a completed, effective software remedy.

Year notes

Year-by-year buyer advice

Use this to narrow the search before you spend time travelling to view a car.

2021

First broad Polestar 2 model year in the US and Europe. Early cars were mostly 78 kWh dual-motor Launch Edition style builds with Pilot/Plus equipment and the highest concentration of early software, TCAM and propulsion-system complaints.

Buyer: Buy only with a dealer campaign printout. The service file must show BECM recall 21V110/R10078 completion, no unresolved propulsion warning, and proof the rear camera recall path has been applied if the car is still in the US recall population.

Owner: Keep the car current on software and replace the 12V battery proactively if it is original. Early cars are now old enough that low-voltage weakness can masquerade as high-voltage or TCAM drama.

2022

Single Motor versions became easier to find and OTA update maturity improved, but owner forums still show TCAM resets, charging quirks and propulsion warnings on cars built around the early supplier set.

Buyer: A 2022 Long Range Single Motor is the quiet value buy if it charges correctly. Dual Motor cars need a harder scan for inverter and BECM history.

Owner: If the car ever throws a propulsion warning, document it and book service rather than relying on a reboot. Polestar can decline goodwill later if the alert history shows it was ignored.

2023

Software quality improved and heat-pump cars are more common. The 2023-2025 subset is also part of the rear-view-camera default-view issue added to recall RP1056.

Buyer: The drivetrain is better sorted than 2021, but test the rear camera repeatedly. A frozen or delayed reverse image is a safety recall item, not a negotiation quirk.

Owner: Check recall status even if the camera seems fine today. NHTSA RQ25004 was opened because reports continued after an earlier remedy.

2024

Major hardware update: rear-drive single motor, revised dual motor, larger long-range pack in many markets and better efficiency. It is the most desirable pre-facelift used Polestar 2.

Buyer: Prioritise 2024 if budget allows, then prove both charging modes and camera operation. The model-year upgrade does not exempt it from the 2021-2025 camera recall population.

Owner: Keep the car on official software. A 2024 should feel sorted; repeated charging or propulsion alerts are warranty jobs, not normal EV behaviour.

2025

Final stretch before the model's next phase, with mature drivetrain hardware but active US camera recall handling in 2025 documents.

Buyer: Do not buy a dealer car with an open stop-sale or incomplete recall. Ask for the latest RP1056/RP1069 status by VIN.

Owner: If your recall letter says interim remedy, follow up when the permanent update is available. A functioning camera today does not prove the campaign is closed.

Common problems

Faults to check before buying

What fails, what it looks like, what it costs, and the quick checks you can do at the viewing - ranked by how badly each one can hurt you.

Fault 1

Propulsion system warning from inverter, BECM or HV contactor control

WALK AWAY / $$$

Affects

Mostly 2021-2022 dual-motor cars, but any Polestar 2 can show the warning.

Symptoms

Dashboard message 'Propulsion system service required', limp mode, failure to engage drive, or warning after charging.

Typical repair cost

EUR 0 under warranty; EUR 1,500-4,000+ for inverter/BECM/cooling hardware outside warranty.

Codes / scan clues

BECM and propulsion-control codes vary; scan with VIDA/Polestar tooling.

Root cause: The warning is a category, not a diagnosis. Confirmed causes include BECM reset logic opening high-voltage contactors, inverter faults, coolant pump/thermal faults and low-voltage support problems.

Quick check

  • Scan the car before and after the test drive; do not rely on the centre-screen message clearing.
  • Accelerate moderately from 30-70 mph and watch for derate or warning return.
  • Ask whether BECM recall 21V110/R10078 was completed.
  • Review invoices for inverter or coolant-pump replacement.

Buyer note

Treat an active propulsion warning as seller's repair. If the warning cleared yesterday, scan history decides whether it was a charger handshake or an expensive HV fault.

Owner note

Record the warning, charge state and charger type when it appears. That pattern helps the service point separate inverter, BECM and charging causes.

Fault 2

TCAM connectivity and phone-as-key failure

LOW / $$

Affects

2021-2024 most visibly; still reported on later cars.

Symptoms

No LTE, wrong GPS position, SOS/eCall warning, failed phone key, no OTA updates.

Typical repair cost

EUR 0 under warranty; EUR 700-1,500 module/antenna repair outside warranty.

Codes / scan clues

TCAM/IHU communication and eCall faults in VIDA.

Root cause: TCAM software lock-up, antenna path faults, water ingress at the roof module or low 12V support can take the connected-car layer offline.

Quick check

  • Pair phone-as-key and lock/unlock the car twice.
  • Start climate from the app while standing away from the car.
  • Confirm LTE and GPS position on the centre display.
  • Ask for TCAM work orders, not just 'it was reset'.

Buyer note

One documented TCAM replacement is acceptable. A seller who demonstrates a reset procedure instead of paperwork is showing you an unresolved fault.

Owner note

Log every reset and failed OTA update. Repetition is what turns a nuisance into a warranty case.

Fault 3

Rear-view camera blank, frozen or wrong default view

LOW / $

Affects

2021-2025 Polestar 2; 2023-2025 subset has default-view issue.

Symptoms

Black camera, frozen image, 'Camera is temporarily unavailable', 360 view instead of rear image.

Typical repair cost

Free recall software update.

Codes / scan clues

PAC/IHU synchronization faults.

Root cause: Polestar identified synchronization errors between the Parking Assist Camera and Infotainment Head Unit, plus video receiving hardware/software timing errors.

Quick check

  • Select reverse five times in a row; camera should appear immediately each time.
  • Check after a full sleep cycle, not only when the car is already awake.
  • Run the VIN through NHTSA or Polestar recall lookup.

Buyer note

This is not cosmetic. A used car with an open camera recall should be priced and delivered as an unresolved safety-recall car.

Owner note

Follow the permanent recall remedy, not only an interim OTA. NHTSA opened RQ25004 because complaints continued after earlier action.

Fault 4

Heat pump, PTC or coolant pump climate failure

LOW / $$

Affects

Plus-pack heat-pump cars and cold-climate cars across 2021-2025.

Symptoms

Weak cabin heat, no defrost, loud heat-pump vibration, propulsion warning tied to thermal management.

Typical repair cost

EUR 400-1,800 depending on pump, valve, compressor or heat-pump part.

Codes / scan clues

HVAC and battery thermal-management faults in VIDA.

Root cause: The thermal system must heat the cabin and keep the battery/inverters inside a safe window. Pump, valve or compressor faults can show as comfort complaints before they become charging or propulsion complaints.

Quick check

  • Start from cold and demand maximum heat and windscreen defrost.
  • Listen outside the front of the car for harsh pump or compressor noise.
  • Check whether DC charging speed is reduced with a warm battery.

Buyer note

No heat is a price issue in summer and a usability issue in winter. Do not accept 'software update will fix it' without a dealer diagnosis.

Owner note

Fix coolant pump and heat-pump faults early; the same thermal loop protects the expensive HV hardware.

Fault 5

On-board charger or charge-port failure

WALK AWAY / $$

Affects

All years; owner reports concentrate around used 2021-2023 cars.

Symptoms

Will not AC charge, scheduled charge ignored, charge starts then stops, DC works but home charging fails.

Typical repair cost

EUR 800-2,000+ outside warranty.

Codes / scan clues

OBC, BECM or EVSE handshake faults.

Root cause: Failures can sit in the on-board AC charger, charge-port locking hardware, BECM control, 12V support, or the wallbox. The key is reproducing the fault on more than one charger.

Quick check

  • Charge on a known Level 2 AC charger for at least 10 minutes.
  • Perform a short public DC-fast-charge session.
  • Test scheduled charging if the seller claims it is used nightly.

Buyer note

A car that only charges at the seller's house has not passed inspection. Charging faults are too expensive to diagnose after payment.

Owner note

Keep screenshots of failed sessions with charger ID and time. Polestar support needs patterns, not 'it sometimes fails'.

Fault 6

12V battery low-voltage cascade

LOW / $

Affects

All Polestar 2 years, especially cars parked long periods or still on original 12V.

Symptoms

Random warnings, no-start, TCAM weirdness, charging refusal after sitting.

Typical repair cost

EUR 150-350 for battery; more if misdiagnosed as module failure.

Codes / scan clues

Low-voltage supply and module communication faults.

Root cause: Like many EVs, the Polestar 2 depends on a conventional low-voltage battery to wake modules and close high-voltage contactors. A weak 12V can imitate larger electronic faults.

Quick check

  • Ask battery age; original 2021-2022 batteries are suspect in 2026.
  • Measure resting 12V voltage after the car has slept.
  • Scan for low-voltage history before interpreting other module faults.

Buyer note

A fresh 12V is cheap. A car with random faults and an old 12V needs the battery replaced before deeper diagnosis means anything.

Owner note

Replace at around four years if the car is used infrequently. It is cheaper than chasing ghost faults.

Fault 7

Infotainment/IHU freezing and failed updates

LOW / $$

Affects

All Android Automotive Polestar 2 years, more annoying on early cars.

Symptoms

Black centre screen, slow Google Maps, update stuck, camera/app functions unavailable.

Typical repair cost

Usually software; EUR 1,000+ if IHU hardware is replaced outside warranty.

Codes / scan clues

IHU/PAC/TCAM communication faults.

Root cause: The Polestar 2 depends heavily on the Android Automotive head unit. A crashed IHU can take camera display, app pairing and update delivery with it.

Quick check

  • Reboot is not the test; use maps, camera, climate and app pairing before the drive.
  • Check software version against current release notes.
  • Look for repeated dealer visits labelled 'software reload'.

Buyer note

Occasional lag is normal. Repeated black screens or failed updates change the car's support risk.

Owner note

Keep software current and do not stack skipped updates. Later safety fixes depend on the same delivery path.

Fault 8

Suspension, axle or mirror hardware complaints on used cars

LOW / $$

Affects

All years; higher-mileage dual-motor and Performance Pack cars show it first.

Symptoms

Rear axle noise, vibration, mirror malfunction, suspension knock over sharp bumps.

Typical repair cost

EUR 250-1,500 depending on mirror, bushing, axle or damper.

Codes / scan clues

Usually none for suspension; mirror module faults possible.

Root cause: Heavy EV weight, performance tyres and complex powered accessories create normal wear items that are easily hidden by a quiet electric drivetrain.

Quick check

  • Drive over small sharp bumps with audio off.
  • Accelerate and lift off at low speed to feel axle clonk.
  • Fold/unfold both mirrors repeatedly and check heating/dimming.

Buyer note

These are not Polestar-specific disasters, but they are useful honesty checks. A car with ignored small hardware faults may have ignored software faults too.

Owner note

Fix knocks early. EV torque turns a tired mount or shaft into a more expensive vibration complaint.

Inspection pack

Printable checklist for the viewing

The free page helps you decide whether the car is worth seeing. The paid guide is the ordered, printable checklist you use at the car.

Documents

  • Polestar/Volvo service printout with all recalls, especially 21V110, RP1056 and RP1069.
  • Warranty status for high-voltage battery and drive components.
  • Invoices for TCAM, inverter, heat-pump, OBC or 12V replacement.

Walk around

  • Check tyre wear on inner shoulders; heavy EV torque hides alignment neglect.
  • Inspect charge port latch and cable locking.
  • Confirm both key fobs work; do not rely only on phone-as-key.

In the car

  • Verify LTE, GPS, SOS/eCall status, app pairing and software version.
  • Select reverse repeatedly and check rear camera response.
  • Run heat, defrost, seat heaters and screen functions from cold.

Test drive

  • Moderate acceleration and regen braking with no propulsion warning.
  • Listen for axle or suspension knock over sharp bumps.
  • After the drive, re-scan for pending faults.

Scan tool

  • Use VIDA/Polestar-capable scan for BECM, IHU, TCAM, PAC and charger modules.
  • Record low-voltage history before judging high-voltage warnings.
  • Confirm recall software levels where possible.

Bottom line

Buy: Buy the newest Long Range car you can afford, preferably 2023-2024, with a clean scan and no repeat TCAM/charging story. The single-motor cars are the sensible ownership pick; the dual-motor cars are worth it only when the service history is unusually clean.

Avoid: Avoid active propulsion warnings, cars that fail either AC or DC charging, and any seller who hand-waves camera recalls because "the screen works today". The Polestar 2 is good when supported properly and frustrating when bought from someone who has been resetting faults instead of fixing them.

Quick answers

Polestar 2 buyer questions

The short versions of what this page answers in full.

What are the most common Polestar 2 2021-2025 problems?

The highest-impact documented faults are: Propulsion system warning from inverter, BECM or HV contactor control; TCAM connectivity and phone-as-key failure; Rear-view camera blank, frozen or wrong default view. This guide covers 8 faults in total, each with symptoms, typical repair costs, and checks you can do at a viewing.

Which Polestar 2 years are the best to buy?

2023-2024 stand out in this generation. Buy the newest Long Range car you can afford, preferably 2023-2024, with a clean scan and no repeat TCAM/charging story. The single-motor cars are the sensible ownership pick; the dual-motor cars are worth it only when the service history is unusually clean.

Which Polestar 2 should I avoid?

Avoid active propulsion warnings, cars that fail either AC or DC charging, and any seller who hand-waves camera recalls because "the screen works today". The Polestar 2 is good when supported properly and frustrating when bought from someone who has been resetting faults instead of fixing them.

Is the Polestar 2 2021-2025 a reliable used buy?

BYBA scores it 7.2/10 (buy with checks). 2 walk-away risks, 6 minor faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: propulsion system warning from inverter, becm or hv contactor control.

Get updates when this guide changes

Recalls get added, repair costs shift, and new fault patterns show up in the data. Leave an email and we'll tell you when the Polestar 2 guide gets a meaningful revision. Nothing else, no selling your address.

Research basis