2021 Polestar Polestar 1 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance
The 2021 Polestar Polestar 1 carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering retractor and 12v/24v/48v battery. No recurring owner-reported issue clusters are on file. Polestar keeps EV maintenance sparse and time-based: a factory service every 2 years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first, covering the cabin filter, wipers, inspections, and software. Two fine-print items matter. Services must happen within a month or 750 miles of the due point to keep warranty standing, and Polestar does not publish its full item-by-item chart publicly; the per-car Status and Warranty booklet and the dealer system govern, so figures beyond the master interval are dealer-level detail. The Polestar 1 is the exception in the lineup, a plug-in hybrid with a Volvo twin-charged engine that wants a conventional annual oil service.
3 Open Recalls
Source: NHTSASEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Campaign #21V683000 · Jan 9, 2021
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Campaign #21V683000 · Jan 9, 2021
Issue: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2021 Polestar PS1 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R10112.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Campaign #22V926000 · Dec 14, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Campaign #22V926000 · Dec 14, 2022
Issue: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Polestar 1 vehicles. Defective high-voltage battery cells may cause the battery to overheat when fully charged.
Risk: The high-voltage battery overheating increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery cells, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to become ready by June 2023. As an interim repair, owners will need to take their vehicle to a dealership for a software update. Interim notices were mailed January 31, 2023. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R10202. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 23V361 (R102316). Any vehicle that received the interim repair under Recall 22V926 (R10202) will still need to have the remedy for 23V361 (R102316) performed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Campaign #23V361000 · May 22, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Campaign #23V361000 · May 22, 2023
Issue: Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Polestar 1 vehicles. Defective high-voltage battery cells may cause the battery to overheat when fully charged.
Risk: The high-voltage battery overheating increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery pack and restore the electric driving range as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 66, 2023. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1-800-806-2504. Polestar's number for this recall is R102316. Note: This recall supersedes Recall 22V-926 (R10216). Any vehicle that received the interim repair under Recall 22V-926 (R10202) will still need to have the remedy for 23V-361 (R10216) performed.
Known issues for this vehicle
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2021 Polestar Polestar 1.
Reported to NHTSA
Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 18, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 18, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Essential maintenance
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Factory Service
Every 20,000 miEvery 2 years or 20,000 miles: inspections, cabin filter, wiper blades, and a software update. Land it within 1 month or 750 miles of the due point; the warranty language is specific about that.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.
Tire Rotation
Every 7,500 miEV torque and weight wear tires fast; rotate around 7,500 miles where fitment allows. Performance-pack cars with staggered setups get wear checks instead.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Brake Fluid
Every 24,000 miPolestar publishes no public interval; it lives in the per-car schedule. Every 2 to 3 years is sound EV practice, since regen braking leaves fluid aging unused.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Brake Inspection
Every 20,000 miChecked at each factory service. The risk on a regen-heavy car is corrosion and sticking, not wear; occasional firm stops keep the discs clean.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Important maintenance
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Oil Service (Polestar 1 only)
Every 10,000 miThe Polestar 1 PHEV carries a Volvo 2.0 twin-charged engine; an annual oil service around 10,000 miles follows Volvo practice for the shared powertrain, though Polestar publishes no standalone figure. Polestar 2, 3, and 4 have no engine.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Recommended maintenance
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Cabin Air Filter
Every 20,000 miReplaced at every 2-year factory service.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Battery & Drive Coolant
Every 100,000 miChecked and adjusted at services; no public replacement interval. Coolant work on the battery loop is dealer territory.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
12V Battery
Every 20,000 miInspection-based, tested at services. The car cannot wake without it.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2021 Polestar Polestar 1 reflects Polestar's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.