There is a documented bug with Polestar. If you shift the car into reverse, the rear camera comes on (point back, like it should). If you shift out of reverse, and back into reverse, the camera defaults to an overhead view. With this view it is very difficult to see what is behind you. This happens 100% of the time...it is not a "sometimes happens" bug.
2025 Polestar 3: backup camera failure
6 of the 79 complaints about the 2025 Polestar 3 describe backup camera failure.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- recalls
- 2
What owners say
When parking the car and putting the car in reverse, the cameras are activated and two views are displayed simultaneously on the head unit: 1) a 360 view is displayed; and 2) rear camera view is displayed. However when putting the car in Drive and then back in Reverse again, only the 360 view displays but NOT the Rear view camera. Subsequently drive / reverse sequences during a parking maneuver do not cause the rear camera to display again, The only way to turn the rear camera back on is to keep the car in reverse and then fiddle with the head unit to tap the appropriate button sequences to turn the rear camera back on. This is not safe.
Activation and persistence of the rearview camera. This situation occurs when selecting reverse, drive and then reverse again in short order (i.e. parallel parking, maneuvering to get into our garage with a narrow driveway and tight turn). When I initially select Reverse, the center display shows both the 360 view and the reverse camera - perfect. When I select Drive to move forward a couple of feet and realign the car, the display switches to show just the 360 view - makes sense. When I then put it back into Reverse to continue parking, the rear view camera does not come back on and only the 360 view is visible. Based on my reading of the regulations, if the car is in reverse, the rear view camera should be active and show on the screen. This is a significant safety issue and one that Polestar claims is not and that their software is operating as designed.
- Vehicle displays are unresponsive and stay off or black, the display shows key indicators like speed & turn signals. Because the vehicle has no physical buttons you cannot control heat, cannot use backup cameras.
The issue is with the displaying of the rear view camera. When I put the car in reverse the rear view camera displays on the bottom of the screen and the 360 view at the top of the screen as it should. But if I then put the car in drive (like when parallel parking) the display changes to show just the 360 view. Then when I put the car back in reverse only the 360 degree view is shown the reverse camera view is not displayed as required. The only way to get the reverse camera view to display is to tap the screen and click on the Rear view options to get the rear view to display. This is clearly a safety issue and not following federal regulations.
According to the federal safety agency documentation, "REQUIREMENT: The rear visibility system must default to the rearview image meeting the requirements of S5.5.1 and S5.5.2 (S6.2.1 and S6.2.2) at the beginning of each backing event regardless of any modification to the field of view the driver has previously selected." The Polestar 3 does show the rearview camera upon initially entering reverse, but if the car is placed in drive and then placed back into reverse, only the top-down "bird-eye" view is displayed. The driver must manually configure the camera to show the rear view again. This would appear to be a violation of this requirement.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Due to the presence of multiple certificates on the vehicle, the OTA (Over-the-Air) software update cannot...
- Issue with the valve controlling the washer fluid flow between rear camera lens and rear window which may
- Complementary action to upgrade P2023-2025 Polestar 3, central core computer, VCU1 to the upgraded VUC2,...
- Electrical system
- Electrical system
- This is a Technical Journal: Reduced Performance Message After AC Charging
- This is a Technical Journal: Charging Limited to 10A, EVI Release Wire Stuck
- This is a Technical Journal: AC Charging Limited to 15 Amps or Not Charging At All. 1. Check the charging...
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 vehicles. Water may damage the electrical connectors between the engine bay and front bumper cable harnesses.
- Risk
- Damage to harnesses can cause various electrical malfunctions, such as a loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Polestar will replace the bumper harness and the inline front bumper/engine bay connector on the engine bay harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar's customer service at 1‑800‑806‑2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1063.
Recall number 25V453000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system
- What is wrong
- Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. (Polestar) is recalling certain 2025 Polestar 3 hybrid electric vehicles. Fluctuations in the 12-volt system may have damaged the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM).
- Risk
- A damaged HLCM reduces the system's ability to convert energy, causing a sudden loss in drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the High to Low Voltage Converter Module (HLCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Polestar customer service at 1‑800‑806‑2504. Polestar's number for this recall is RP1043.
Recall number 24V940000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2025 Polestar 3 backup camera
Is backup camera failure a common problem on the 2025 Polestar 3?
6 of 79 owner complaints about the 2025 Polestar 3 (8%) mention backup camera failure.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2025 Polestar 3?
There are 2 recalls and 25 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
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