Polestar 4 Common Problems & Reliability
The Polestar 4 is a radical, coupe-styled electric SUV that famously deletes the rear window entirely, relying instead on a high-definition roof-mounted camera for rearward visibility. Positioned between the Polestar 2 and 3 in size and price, it is the fastest production car the brand has ever built, offering blistering dual-motor performance. In the UK, its unique design and tech-heavy approach appeal to early adopters and design-conscious buyers who want an alternative to the Tesla Model Y. Early impressions suggest excellent build quality and dynamic handling. It perfectly suits tech-savvy buyers who prioritize cutting-edge design and performance over traditional SUV practicality.
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Detailed fault breakdown, symptoms, and estimated repair bills by production year.
Most Common Polestar 4 Faults & Repair Costs
Digital Mirror Refocusing / Eye Strain
The Polestar 4 has no conventional rear window; a roof-mounted camera feeds an 8.9-inch digital display built into the rear-view mirror. Drivers must constantly refocus between the road ahead and a screen inches from the face, which can cause eye strain and make judging the distance of cars behind harder, especially at night or in wet UK weather. Several reviewers found the setup tiring enough to be a dealbreaker, although most drivers adapt after a few days. The camera image can also appear momentarily blurry when the car is cold.
Initial disorientation when glancing at the digital rear-view mirror, Eye strain or fatigue on longer journeys, Difficulty judging the distance of cars behind, Habit of looking for a glass rear window that is not there
- Spend extended test-drive time using the digital mirror in daylight and at dusk
- Check the roof-mounted camera lens is clean and its washer jet operates
- Assess whether any focal discomfort eases after several days of driving
Phantom Braking / ADAS Over-sensitivity
The Pilot Assist adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking can intervene too aggressively. Reviewers report the car braking abruptly when approaching a vehicle in an adjacent lane, or triggering phantom braking on narrow UK roads lined with parked cars. The speed-sign reader has also misread limits, displaying values such as 37 mph or 18 mph and issuing unwarranted alerts. Polestar has issued over-the-air updates to reduce unnecessary brake interventions, but the behaviour can still surface.
Unexpected deceleration with no vehicle directly ahead, Braking on narrow roads lined with parked cars, Incorrect speed-limit warnings on the instrument display, Abrupt braking when adaptive cruise approaches a car in the next lane
- Test Pilot Assist and adaptive cruise on UK A-roads and motorways
- Verify the latest over-the-air software version is installed
- Ask a Polestar dealer about any outstanding safety or software recalls
Instrument Cluster & Touchscreen Blackouts
Both the digital instrument cluster and the central 15.4-inch touchscreen can suddenly go dead while the car is being driven, leaving the driver without a speedometer, navigation or media. The car itself usually keeps driving and the head-up display may remain visible, but the blackout requires pulling over and switching the car off and on again to restore the screens. The fault has persisted across multiple over-the-air software updates.
Central touchscreen and driver display go black while driving, Screen takes a long time to reload after switching the car off and on, Loss of speedometer, navigation and media during a blackout, Head-up display remains visible while the main screens are dead
- Test drive on a motorway or dual carriageway to reproduce any screen blackout
- Check that the latest over-the-air software version is installed
- Ask whether the car has suffered previous screen blackouts or display resets
Rear-View Camera Fogging in Cold Weather
The roof-mounted camera that feeds the digital rear-view mirror can mist up or fog over on cold, damp UK mornings, leaving a blurry rear view for several minutes until it clears. Because the Polestar 4 has no glass rear window, this camera feed is the driver's only rearward view, so the fogging can make reversing or changing lanes stressful in winter until the camera warms up. Wiping the lens by hand offers only a temporary fix.
Blurry or foggy camera feed on cold, damp mornings, Rear-view mirror display takes minutes to clear after start-up, Reduced rearward visibility when reversing in winter, Need to wipe the roof camera lens by hand
- Operate the car from cold and observe whether the camera feed clears within a minute
- Inspect the roof-mounted rear camera lens for dirt or moisture
- Test that the camera washer jet sprays and clears the lens
Wireless Apple CarPlay & Phone Connectivity Dropouts
Wireless Apple CarPlay and phone pairing can be unreliable, with the connection dropping and requiring the driver to re-pair through the infotainment menus. Reviewers report CarPlay connecting only some of the time, and Bluetooth switching off without warning. Because climate, media and navigation are largely screen-driven, losing phone mirroring removes a key way to control the car while driving.
Apple CarPlay fails to connect on first attempt, Bluetooth switching off without warning, Phone audio or navigation dropping out mid-journey, Need to re-pair the phone through the infotainment menus
- Pair your own phone and connect Apple CarPlay several times during a test drive
- Check that the phone stays connected after the car is locked and unlocked
- Verify the infotainment system is running the latest software version
Buying a used Polestar 4? Always check for hidden finance and write-off history.
Mechanical problems are only half the battle. Over 1 in 3 UK used cars checked have unpaid finance or accident write-off records that could cause you to lose the car or thousands in value.