Electric vehicle maker Polestar has recalled 27,816 of its cars in the United States due to a rearview camera defect, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Saturday. The recall affects certain Polestar 2 models, where the rear camera image may fail to display when the car is shifted into reverse. Officials say the malfunction increases the risk of collisions by leaving drivers without a critical safety feature.

The NHTSA said the problem involves a software-related issue that prevents the image from appearing on the central screen, a requirement under US safety standards. Rearview cameras have been mandatory in new vehicles since 2018, making the failure a violation of federal safety regulations. Polestar has assured regulators that it will begin contacting affected owners immediately.

Owners of the impacted vehicles will be instructed to bring their cars to authorized service centers for a free software update. In many cases, the fix can also be carried out through an over-the-air update, meaning drivers may not need to visit a dealership. Polestar emphasized that no accidents or injuries linked to the fault have been reported so far.

This recall adds to challenges for Polestar, which is working to expand its footprint in the competitive US electric vehicle market. The Swedish EV maker, backed by Volvo and China’s Geely, has faced growing pressure as rivals such as Tesla, Rivian, and legacy automakers increase their offerings. Ensuring vehicle reliability has become key to maintaining customer confidence.

Safety regulators have urged drivers of affected Polestar 2 vehicles to be cautious until the fix is applied. The recall underscores the importance of functional rearview cameras, which are designed to reduce backover crashes and protect pedestrians. Polestar said it remains committed to addressing the issue swiftly and keeping customers safe on the road.

Source: Reuters.