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Model file · PolestarUpdated · 8 sources

Selling a damaged Polestar 1

The Polestar 1 was built only from 2019 to 2021, at a rate of up to 500 a year, in a purpose-built plant in Chengdu, China, Wikipedia notes. When we pulled NHTSA's complaints on October 10, 2026, not one was filed against it. It does have four recalls, and two of them concern battery cells that may overheat when fully charged.

A matte gray Polestar 1 coupe with black wheels and gold brake calipers, parked in a lot beside orange traffic cones
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Model years (EPA)
2020-2021
EPA class
Minicompact car, plug-in hybrid
Body
2+2 coupe
Built
2019-2021, Chengdu, China
Production rate
Up to 500 a year
Recall campaigns
4

If yours has crash damage, a battery problem or has sat too long, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

The car, briefly

Polestar introduced the Polestar 1 on October 17, 2017, as a 2+2 coupe inspired by Volvo's 2013 Concept Coupé, with influences from the Volvo P1800. In its last production year, a limited gold-painted version was released. The EPA lists it for 2020 and 2021 as a minicompact plug-in hybrid. The other three Polestars on this site appear in EPA data as fully electric.

Recalls on the 2020-2021 cars

High-voltage battery. Recalls 22V926 (December 2022) and 23V361 (May 2023) both cover 2020-2021 cars whose battery cells may overheat at full charge. Under the first, dealers replace the cells, with parts expected by June 2023 and an interim repair before then. Under the second, dealers replace the pack and restore electric driving range as needed. Each lists 66 vehicles in the campaign.

Brakes. Recall 24V835 covers 6 vehicles from 2020. The fastener joining the brake pedal to the brake booster may have been assembled wrong. Dealers tighten the pushrod screw joint.

Seat belts. Recall 21V683 covers 2 vehicles from 2021. Rear automatic locking retractors may switch off early, so a child seat may not stay secured. Dealers inspect and replace the belts as needed.

NHTSA shows no charge for any of the four repairs; vehicle numbers describe whole campaigns.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Model yearComplaints to NHTSARecall campaignsWhich ones
20200322V926, 23V361, 24V835
20210321V683, 22V926, 23V361

Zero complaints in both years, per the NHTSA download dated October 10, 2026.

Fix it, part it out, or sell it whole?

  1. Battery recalls before anything. Put the VIN into NHTSA's search. A pack replaced under 23V361 is a free repair, not one you pay for.
  2. Battery trouble outside the recalls? Our hybrid battery guide walks through the choice.
  3. Thinking of selling parts one by one? Read part it out or sell it whole before you start unbolting.

Selling your Polestar 1 whole

Note the VIN, odometer reading and the fault, then request an offer here or phone (877) 421-6008. Let us know if the coupe rolls and where it's stored (a garage, a carport, curbside) so a suitable truck shows up. Keep it complete, wheels included. The title and your ID finish the handoff on pickup day.

See the rest of the lineup: Polestar 2, Polestar 3, Polestar 4, or all Polestar models.

Questions people ask

What are the battery recalls on the Polestar 1?
Two campaigns, 22V926 and 23V361, cover 2020-2021 cars whose high-voltage battery cells may overheat when fully charged. The first replaces cells; the second replaces the battery pack and restores electric range as needed. Both Polestar 1 fixes are free per NHTSA; type your VIN into nhtsa.gov/recalls to check if your car had them.
What is the Polestar 1 complaint count from owners?
Zero in the NHTSA download dated October 10, 2026. Production ran at up to 500 a year, so a short record is no surprise.
Will you buy a Polestar 1 that doesn't run?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US. Mention whether the coupe rolls and where it's stored.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. EPA fuel economy data: Polestar 1 model years and class fueleconomy.gov
  2. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 21V683: rear seat belt retractors, 2021 nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 22V926: high-voltage battery cells, 2020-2021 nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 23V361: high-voltage battery pack, 2020-2021 nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 24V835: brake pedal to booster fastener, 2020 nhtsa.gov
  8. Wikipedia: Polestar (Polestar 1 introduction, production and plant) en.wikipedia.org