NHTSA vehicle safety data
2017 GEM E2 Recalls & Complaints
The 2017 GEM E2 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized GEM dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2017 GEM E2. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2017 GEM E2 owner complaints
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 GEM E2, describing incidents dated November 7, 2016.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 3 complaints
Newest complaints
ODI #10959798 · Filed
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…
ODI #10959796 · Filed
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…
ODI #10959793 · Filed
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2017 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
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.
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.
Other GEM E2 model years
Check your 2017 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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