2021–2025 Polestar 2 Backup Camera Problems & Recall: Here’s What I Found

Updated on December 30th, 2025 Author: Sergei Lemberg

Backup camera failures are not a minor inconvenience. In modern vehicles, they are a core safety feature. As a lemon law attorney, I routinely monitor vehicle complaints, especially when they involve newer vehicles and safety systems that continue to fail even after recalls. With the Polestar 2, I found a steady stream of complaints describing backup cameras that simply do not work when the car is placed into reverse.

My name is Sergei Lemberg. I have spent more than twenty years representing consumers in lemon law cases. What caught my attention with the Polestar 2 was not just that the backup camera failed, but that many owners reported the problem continued even after several software updates and recalls that were supposed to fix it.

That prompted me to review owner complaints and recall notices related to this issue. Here’s what I found.

Hundreds of Backup Camera Complaints

After reviewing hundreds of consumer complaints, I noticed a clear pattern: the Polestar 2’s backup camera frequently fails. Owners describe backup cameras that fail to activate, display error messages, or take so long to load that the feature becomes unreliable in real-world driving.

Common complaints include:

• The backup camera displaying a “camera unavailable” message when shifting into reverse
• The camera failing to activate until several seconds have passed
• Having to shift into park and back into reverse to trigger the camera
• The problem continuing even after installing the latest software update
• Inconsistent performance that makes the feature unreliable

Complaint Samples

“After being updated to the latest 3.6.4 software, I still get frequent “camera unavailable” error messages. This continues to present a major safety issue.”

“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.”

“Back up camera frequently doesn’t work correctly. I have to wait up to 30 seconds before it works. Or I have to put it in park and back to reverse to get the camera to work.”

“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.”

Multiple Recalls

To understand why Polestar 2 backup camera problems have persisted, I reviewed the federal recall materials filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What stood out is that this issue has been investigated and addressed multiple times over several years, yet it remains unresolved.

The most recent recall was issued in September 2025, when Polestar filed NHTSA Recall No. 25V615, covering model year 2021 through 2025 Polestar 2 vehicles, after determining that earlier software remedies were ineffective. Here are the main takeaways:

• The recall applies to 27,816 Polestar 2 vehicles.
• The issue involves the rear-view backup camera failing to display an image when the vehicle is placed into reverse.
• Drivers may instead see a “camera temporarily unavailable” message.
• The condition reduces rear visibility during backing maneuvers.
• Reduced rear visibility increases the risk of a crash.
• Polestar acknowledged that earlier software updates did not resolve the issue.

Recall History

Based on the recall chronology, here is how this issue unfolded:

• March 9, 2021: Polestar received its first customer complaint regarding the rear-view camera.
• May 14–15, 2024: Polestar received questions from NHTSA and conducted a deep dive into U.S. customer complaints.
• June 20–28, 2024: Polestar classified the issue as a critical concern, decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall and launched its first safety recall related to the backup camera (NHTSA 24V477).
• July 1, 2024: Polestar released a software update intended to address the issue.
• August 9, 2024: Safety recall notices were sent to customers.
• August 2024–February 2025: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation raised additional questions after receiving more consumer complaints.
• March–April 2025: Polestar met with NHTSA and acknowledged another update would be required.
• April 25, 2025: Polestar filed a new Part 573 report for a follow-up recall (NHTSA 25V280).
• June 16, 2025: A second software update was released as part of that recall.
• July–August 2025: NHTSA issued a formal information request and Polestar submitted partial responses.
• September 8, 2025: Polestar concluded that prior software remedies were ineffective and the issue remained a critical concern.
• September 11–15, 2025: Polestar decided to issue another voluntary safety recall, resulting in the current recall (25V615).

What Owners Are Still Experiencing After the Updates

After reviewing the recall history, I looked at what owners are reporting now, after installing the software updates tied to the recalls.

Many Polestar 2 owners say they followed the recall instructions, installed the updated software, and expected the backup camera problem to be resolved. Instead, they report that the same issue continues to appear during normal use.

What Can You Do If the Backup Camera Still Does Not Work

If your 2021–2025 Polestar 2 continues to experience backup camera failures after recall-related software updates, it may help to take action sooner rather than later.

1. Document everything: Keep recall notices, software update confirmations, service records, and any written communications with Polestar or the service center.
2. Track frequency and conditions: Write down how often the camera fails, how long it takes to activate, and whether shifting gears is required to make it work.
3. Preserve timelines: Note when recall updates were installed and whether the issue continued afterward. Dates and mileage matter.
4. Learn about your legal options: When a required safety feature does not work consistently, even after recall repairs, that situation may raise consumer protection questions depending on the facts and your state.

Contact Lemberg Law

If your Polestar 2’s backup camera continues to fail despite multiple software updates and recall attempts, it may help to understand what options are available based on your specific situation.

Lemberg Law represents consumers dealing with serious vehicle defects and unresolved safety recalls. We handle these matters on a contingency basis, which means there is no upfront cost. We do not get paid unless there is a recovery.

If you are experiencing repeated backup camera failures in your 2021–2025 Polestar 2, contact Lemberg Law for a free case evaluation. Getting clarity sooner can help you decide what makes sense before more time passes.

Sources:

1. 2021 NHTSA Complaints
2. 2022 NHTSA Complaints
3. 2023 NHTSA Complaints
4. 2024 NHTSA Complaints
5. Recall No. 24V477
6. Recall No. 25V280
7. Recall No. 25V767

About the Author:

Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."

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