Recall 18V531 affects 10,658 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot motorcycles for crash-related seatbelt-retractor separation. Repair is free at any franchised Polaris dealer.
Polaris is recalling 10,658 2017-2019 Slingshot motorcycles because a seat belt retractor on the side opposite a crash impact can separate and stop the belt from locking. That failure can leave the occupant improperly restrained, raising injury risk, and Polaris dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt retractor on the 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot is the spring-loaded unit that feeds out webbing and pulls it back in. During normal driving it lets the belt move enough for comfort, then locks the belt during a crash so the occupant stays restrained.
On affected Slingshot motorcycles, a hard side impact can place a sideways load on the retractor spool. That load can let the belt move out of its retention channel, and the retractor on the side opposite the impact can separate. Once that happens, the seat belt is prevented from locking, so it cannot restrain the occupant the way it was designed to in that crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look and feel normal before a crash because the problem appears when the retractor is side-loaded during the impact.
Who's affected?
The same front seat belt retractor is listed for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Slingshot.
| 2017 Polaris Slingshot | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2018 Polaris Slingshot | seat belt |
| 2019 Polaris Slingshot | seat belt |
| Units affected | 10,658 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the seat belt retractor separates during a crash, the belt can fail to lock and the occupant is not properly restrained. This increases injury risk. There is no warning sign before this failure, so schedule the dealer repair soon and use caution until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Polaris dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Polaris dealer to schedule the free seat-belt retractor kit that prevents retractor separation so the belt can lock in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Polaris sent one. If not, reference recall number 18V531 when you call.
- Use the seat belt on every trip and schedule the repair before carrying passengers.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Polaris technician installs a kit for the seatbelt retractor. The kit is designed to keep the retractor from separating during a crash, so the belt can lock as intended. Parts and labor are free under recall 18V531. If you paid for this same repair before receiving the owner letter, contact the Polaris Consumer Service Department about reimbursement for that repair cost.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 15, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 23, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 28, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 28, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 28, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V531?
Recall 18V531 covers 10,658 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot vehicles with a front seat belt retractor defect. In a crash, the retractor on the side opposite the impact can separate and prevent the seat belt from locking. Polaris dealers install a kit for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Polaris Slingshot is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Slingshot is included in recall 18V531. If it is, contact a franchised Polaris dealer to schedule the seat belt retractor kit installation. Reference recall number 18V531 or Polaris recall T-18-03 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Polaris dealers install the kit that prevents the seat belt retractor from separating in a crash free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced restraint in a crash. If the seat belt retractor separates and the belt does not lock, the occupant is not properly restrained, which increases injury risk. The dealer repair adds a kit to prevent that separation.
What if I bought my Polaris Slingshot used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Slingshot is included, then call a franchised Polaris dealer and reference recall 18V531 or Polaris recall T-18-03.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V531000 |
|---|---|
| Polaris customer service | 1-855-863-2284 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V531 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V531000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →