The gem e2 has 2 electrical systems. 48 volts for the drive system, and 12 volts for headlights etc. When driving on a city street down a hill of approximately 1 degree or more and you apply the brakes, all headlights, taillights, and the speedometer and dome lights will all shut down. After releasing the brakes, the 12 volts system will reset itself. This has not happened while driving on a flat surface or uphill. The gem e2 has regenerative braking. If I use the emergency/parking brake to stop the vehicle, while driving downhill, this does not happen.
The worst 2017 Gem E2 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical3
Recalls 3
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD vehicles. The drive mode switch can send an incorrect signal, causing the vehicle to become inoperative or go in the opposite direction than intended.
- Risk
- If the operator intends to go forward, but the vehicle reverses instead, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive mode system with one that has separate inputs for each position (forward, neutral and reverse), free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1‑855‑863‑2284. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V‑884. Vehicles previously repaired under that campaign need the repairs covered by this campaign as well.
Recall number 18V484000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD electric vehicles, equipped with steel wheels. The lug nuts on the front wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a front wheel detaching from the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a wheel separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GEM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lug nuts, and inspect the wheels. The recall began June 8, 2017. Owners may contact GEM Consumer Service Department at 1‑855‑743‑3436. Polaris' number for this recall is L-17-01.
Recall number 17V279000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD electric vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to November 18, 2016. The drive mode switch can send an incorrect signal, causing the vehicle to go in the opposite direction than intended.
- Risk
- If the operator intends to go forward, but the vehicle reverses instead, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2016. Owners may contact GEM Consumer Service Department at 1‑855‑743‑3436. Polaris' number for this recall is L-16-01.
Recall number 16V884000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2017 Gem E2
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2017 Gem E2 28
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Email to dealers about L-21-01 Service Bulletin.
- Some 2016-2021 GEM vehicles built with Fast Chargers (3 kW or 6 kW) may experience a premature failure to...
- FAQ regarding the L-21-01 Service Bulletin.
- GEM has released this Team Tip to inform dealers that a BMC software update has been released which...
- Digital Wrench version 4.2 is now available for download.
- On 6/10/19 a running change was made on GEM vehicles equipped with doors, relocating the side mirrors to...
- Some 2016-2018 GEM vehicles built with the 500W DC/DC converter have exhibited premature failure of the...
- GEM has observed instances where customers operating in cold weather are reporting vehicles slowing down...
- GEM has determined that the Polaris BMC on 2016-2018 GEM vehicles is performing tasks during off-time that...
- GEM has identified some 2016-2018 vehicles that have an improperly adjusted brake master cylinder push-rod
What 2017 Gem E2 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The gem e2 has 2 electrical systems. 48 volts for the drive system, and 12 volts for headlights etc. When driving on a city street down a hill of approximately 1 degree or more and you apply the brakes, all headlights, taillights, and the speedometer and dome lights will all shut down. After releasing the brakes, the 12 volts system will reset itself. This has not happened while driving on a flat surface or uphill. The gem e2 has regenerative braking. If I use the emergency/parking brake to stop the vehicle, while driving downhill, this does not happen.
The gem e2 has 2 electrical systems. 48 volts for the drive system, and 12 volts for headlights etc. When driving on a city street down a hill of approximately 1 degree or more and you apply the brakes, all headlights, taillights, and the speedometer and dome lights will all shut down. After releasing the brakes, the 12 volts system will reset itself. This has not happened while driving on a flat surface or uphill. The gem e2 has regenerative braking. If I use the emergency/parking brake to stop the vehicle, while driving downhill, this does not happen.
Compare the 2017 Gem E2
Other model years
20162017
Questions about the 2017 Gem E2
Is the 2017 Gem E2 reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2017 Gem E2, close to a typical E2 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Gem E2?
Electrical system, with 3 complaints.
How many recalls does the 2017 Gem E2 have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system and wheels.
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