NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 GEM E2 Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 GEM E2 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized GEM dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 GEM E2. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 GEM E2 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2016 GEM E2, describing incidents dated October 28, 2021.

Most-cited components

Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11441822 · Filed November 27, 2021
When driving my GEM on the street it just stalls, quits unexpectedly. The dealer replaced the wiring harness a short time ago and ran without problems for about six weeks before starting to stall again. It is a dangerous, unsafe vehicle that could get you killed if it stalls when a car or truck is…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 GEM E2 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Vehicle may Go in Opposite Direction than Intended

NHTSA #18V484000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported July 19, 2018 · Polaris Industries, Inc.

Potentially affected: 2,110 vehicles

Repair completion: 56.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign L-18-02 · Owners notified November 28, 2018 · Vehicles built May 29, 2015 – March 9, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the operator intends to go forward, but the vehicle reverses instead, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Lower Main Frame may Crack

NHTSA #18V485000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported July 19, 2018 · Polaris Industries, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,946 vehicles

Repair completion: 20.4% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign L-18-03 · Owners notified December 18, 2018 · Vehicles built January 3, 2011 – March 30, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2011-2016 GEM E2, E2L, ELXD, and EL electric vehicles. The lower main frame tube may crack which can result in failure of the secondary upper cab frame.

Safety consequence

If the upper cab frame fails, it can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Polaris will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional frame brace to the lower frame tubes, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2018. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-743-3436. Polaris' number for this recall is L-18-03.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Steel Wheel Lug Nuts may Loosen

NHTSA #17V279000 · Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2017 · Polaris Industries, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,254 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign L-17-01 · Owners notified June 8, 2017 · Vehicles built May 29, 2015 – March 29, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If a wheel separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicle may Go in Opposite Direction than Intended

NHTSA #16V884000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported December 8, 2016 · Polaris Industries, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,644 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign L-16-01 · Owners notified December 28, 2016 · Vehicles built May 29, 2015 – November 18, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the operator intends to go forward, but the vehicle reverses instead, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2016 GEM E2. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 GEM E2.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11441822

Incident: October 28, 2021 · Filed: November 27, 2021

When driving my GEM on the street it just stalls, quits unexpectedly. The dealer replaced the wiring harness a short time ago and ran without problems for about six weeks before starting to stall again. It is a dangerous, unsafe vehicle that could get you killed if it stalls when a car or truck is behind you. These GEM models should be recalled and the consumer's money refunded. The dealer will not respond to my messages and so I am left with an unsafe, undriveable vehicle. You are my only avenue to redress of this unfair situation.

Other GEM E2 model years

Check your 2016 GEM E2 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your GEM E2 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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