2023 POLESTAR POLESTAR 2 Back Over Prevention Problems

Despite a recall, rear camera does not activate when putting the car into reverse. This poses immense safety risks as the rear of the vehicle is poorly visible from the driver seat and mirrors when backing up. I have previously noted this instance a few months ago after the recall for this issue, and yet the issue is persisting. There are no warnings or indicators of an electrical or other problem. I have not taken this in for servicing for this problem. But this issue is reproducible every time getting into the car and putting it into reverse, on the center display where the cameras would display, an error message appears, again, exactly as occurred prior to the recall. In summary, despite recall, rear view cameras/backup cameras do not properly work when putting the car into reverse to reverse.

Car rear camera constantly freezes, doesn’t appear or just stops during vehicle usage

An ongoing issue with Polestar 2 vehicles has been its unreliable rear camera. When reversing, the rear camera does not always engage, leaving either a blank space on the dashboard screen or sometimes the phrase “Rear camera currently unavailable”. This continues to occur despite software updates from the manufacturer.

-The rearview camera fails intermittently when gearshift is placed in reverse and when the car drives in reverse. -Passengers and pedestrians are at risk of collision due to restricted view around vehicle. -I have not reported the problem to the dealer or manufacturer because they are well aware that this problem exists, although they claim it was remedied by software updates. -I have not had my vehicle inspected by anyone to date, but will do so if the problem is not effectively addressed soon. -There is a warning message at the time the vehicle is placed in reverse that the rearview camera is temporarily unavailable. -The problem, and the error messages, have been recurring for months. -In addition, as a result of the software changes, the vehicle radio and Google maps fail intermittently.

The back up camera repeatedly fails, and does not work, when I put my car into reverse.

I received the NHTSA Recall No. 25V-280 and had the vehicle updated to Software 3.6.4 in July 2025. Following this update I still have issues with the rear camera while the vehicle is in reverse. This includes 1) the camera not available with the system showing this error, 2) the camera not available with the screen continuing to show content not related to the camera, and 3) when the camera is available there are refresh issues that cause interrupted visibility concerns.

The rear view camera does not always work when putting the car into reverse and gives a "Camera Unavailable" error. My car is on the latest software revision which was supposed to resolve this, but it is still occuring. With the very small rear window, having a 100% working rear camera is imperative.

The reserve camera shows unavailable after the recall software update. My car is on 3.6.4 and camera unavailable happened twice in one day.

Backup camera becomes unavailable. This is after the latest update supposedly to fix the issue.

Specifically related to the two items checked above as the rear camera failing to come on when the vehicle is put into reverse software 3.6.4 was supposed to correct this issue, but it has since come back.

Backup camera consistently fails to initialize when putting the car in reverse.

When reversing, the backup camera often displays "Camera is temporarily unavailable". This prevents me from safely backing up because there is poor visibility directly through the back window. This can easily be reproduced and replicated on any Polestar 2, and happens most frequently on startup of vehicle and backing up. This was already the subject of a recall that Polestar offered a software update for. However, despite the software update, it continues to happen regularly. I an updated to software version 3.6.4 and still get this problem.

Reversing camera still says "Camera is temporarily unavailable" intermittently even after the recent recall software fix.

I updated my car to software 3.6.4 in order to resolve an issue where the backup camera fails to display. Despite completing the update, the camera showed the same error message this morning and failed to display at all as I backed out of my garage. This is a serious safety issue and I need it to be fixed.

Backup camera continues to have issues even after the previous update which was supposed to fix it. It has improved with the new update but has given the "camera is unavailable" message twice now, July 6, 2025 and july 12, 2025.

Rear view camera intermittently displays “camera is temporarily unavailable” message when backing up. Vehicle doesn’t have the best rear view visibility through the window, so I rely on the rear view camera more than in other vehicles. This is still occurring after installing the 3.6.4 update, which I’m told was supposed to address this issue.

When backing up I have experienced issues with the backup camera saying unavailable. This is after receiving the latest OTA update intended to fix the issue (3.6.4)

Backup camera display fails with “Camera Unavailable” notification most days. When the display does work, it flickers, resets, freezes. This also interferes with park-assist display. Sometimes even forward and/or 360 view freezes as well. OTA software 3.6.4 installed in early June DID NOT did not improve or resolve this issue.

The rear view camera displays a message of “camera is temporarily unavailable” when shifting into reverse to view the rear camera. This issue was NOT alleviated with the most recent update

After the most recent OTA software update to v3.6.4, I am still experiencing the back up camera not available error message. I have no visual aid of the blind spots behind vehicle, to assist with manually looking out the rear window.

The software update to fix recall issue of 'rear visibility' did not work and the problem continues in which the back up camera is not activated by putting the car in reverse gear.

Rear camera does not come up about half the time even on newest update when reversing

Even with latest software update (3.6.4) I continue to get rear backup camera unavailable errors

Multiple times following the latest recall for backup camera issues I have experienced the “camera not available” error when backing up that renders the backup camera useless.

The rear parking camera occasionally fails and says "Camera Temporarily Unavailable" when backing. Polestar pushed out a software update (3.6.4) that was supposed to resolve the problem. It honestly seems worse and more frequent now. The Polestar's design has a limited rear window so as a driver I am more dependent on the backing camera.

When go into reverse, the rear backup camera is unavailable. It pops up a message that it is temporarily unavailable, but the rear camera image does not appear during the time I am in reverse. Sometimes the view switches to the 360 view instead. This problem does not happen every time. Polestar software update version 3.6.4 is suppose to fix this issue, but the problem still remains.

After software 3.6.4 released by Polestar, my rear camera has issues populating the drivers side and rear camera. The rear-view camera display has issues during a backing. Failure to display the rear-view image will reduce my visibility in a backing event, increasing the risk of a crash.

The rear backup camera is still flaky and often will stop working or have a large and noticeable lag when backing up. This has not been fixed by the recent 3.6.4 software update as promised. It is available for inspection. If I am already in the middle of backing up and the camera goes out, I may hit someone that comes behind me quickly. No No None

The rear camera fails semi-regularly. It is unpredictable when it will occur. This might happen as soon as the car starts—to reverse out of a parking spot—or it might occur after driving for a while. It will also sometimes fail despite the other cameras working (front camera, 360 cameras). Sometimes, cycling through the cameras will fix the issue—if rear fails, put the car in park, cycle to front camera, 360 camera, front camera, 360 camera, and then rear camera—and this might resolve it. Sometimes exiting the car and re-entering it (basically, turning it off and on) will reset the camera. Sometimes rebooting the console will work (hold the reset button for 30 seconds and wait for the center console to reboot). But many times, nothing will work. Simply turning the car off for a few hours will be the only thing that resolves the issue. My car has had the update that was supposed to resolve the issue but the issue persists. I think the frequency has gone down but it still occurs semi-regularly. I would conservatively estimate that it occurs at least 1-3 times a month. It is also not unusual for the center console to simply stop working. That is, no function works: radio, bluetooth, navigation, any of the cameras. The center console just crashes on boot and is not recoverable—30 second reset does nothing—until the car is turned off a left for a bit. The last time this happened was 7/10/2025. I would say this occurs less frequently than the rear camera failure but I would estimate a few times a year? Three times this year (2025) so far. I don't know if these two issues are related but, if I were to speculate, there's a problem with the OS running the console.

My Polestar received the software 3.6.4 from Polestar for the rear camera issue recall. However, the rear camera is failing to display and I am receiving “camera is temporary unavailable.

Rear view camera failed to initialize. Since the 3.6.4 software update (rear-view camera recall) I have had multiple instances where the rear-view camera has either entirely failed to start, given me the "Camera Unavailable" message, or started in a stuttering/flickering unusable state.

THe back up camera does not function properly about 50% of the time. I will get a blank screen with Camera not available. This has been getting worse with each update sent out by Polestar.

Periodically, at random, the backup and 360 degree camera will not engage. The camera icon on the main display will illuminate to indicate that it is on but the display will not show the camera feed. Vehicle software had been updated to P2 3.6.4

Polestar's fix to the last recall for broken rearview camera did not work.

Recently received a recall notice for the rear backup camera unavailable error. I updated software to version 3.6.4 because that is what was pushed Over-the-air to my car. This software version did not resolve the issue. After submitting a support request through Polestar's mobile app, I received instructions on how to shut off the car so it goes into a deeper sleep. This helped for a couple days, but the rear camera will still occasionally be unavailable, or it will sort of freeze the image and be very laggy. Needless to say, the software update did not resolve the recall on my VIN.

My car was subject to RP1056 (NHTSA Recall No. 25V-280). The reason for the recall was an error in the Parking Assist Camera in reverse. The camera would either not default to the rearview camera image, or it would display a "Camera is temporarily unavailable" message rather than showing the rearview camera image. An over the air software update (P3.6.3) was issued to attempt to address the error. The software update was installed on my car, but the problem is now more frequent and severe. The camera still displays the "Camera is temporarily unavailable" message. Additionally, the camera will now completely freeze and the IHU will also freeze and become completely unresponsive. During this time, the camera is not available, until it crashes and restarts.

When I put the car in reverse and begin to back up, roughly 20% of the time, the backup camera does not work. Sometimes it blinks on and off. Often, it shows a "Camera temporarily unavailable" message. This prevents me from being able to adequately see cars passing behind me. I was notified of a recent recall for this issue. Polestar notified me of a software update to fix this issue. I have updated the car using the software update, and the issue remains.

After the update to the Polestar 2's software to version 3.6.4, which was released to fix the rear camera not working when in reverse, the rear camera still will not work on occasion. The vehicle has not been inspected, but can be if needed. There were no errors or warnings aside from the "Camera is temporarily unavailable" message on the main screen. The camera will likely work if the car is taken out of and put back in to reverse. Previous recall notice: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The rearview camera failed to turn on and wouldn't turn on at all during the process of reversing out of the home garage. It is available for inspection and has been inspected previously. I could not see the pillars in my garage or anyone else/other cars if they were to appear behind me. The problem regularly occurs with my vehicle after multiple updates and was confirmed by the dealer. The manufacturer has inspected the car and its components, and an update has been issued to address the problem; however, the issue persists. No warning messages or symptoms, sometimes the camera turns on, and sometimes it doesn't. I would safely say that it happens every other time the rearview/surround camera is activated.

The rear camera does not always engage when the car is put into reverse. The car was just recalled for it, of which I just received a notice and the update (3.6.4), and it has not fixed the issue; it has only gotten worse.

Software update received from recall did not fix issue with backup camera. Still receive "Camera is temporarily unavailable" message about 50% of time.

After OTA update 3.6.4, I am still seeing a "camera not available" error when putting my car into reverse. The backup camera does not appear, so I only have my mirrors and windows available to see behind me. Update 3.6.4 was supposed to fix this issue, but I still occasionally get the error when I put my car into reverse. The error was not confirmed by a dealer, manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives due to me just receiving the OTA update this past week.

Reverse Backup Camera is failing. Rear Backup camera is worse with the latest recall (ID: 11669313) fix announced June 25 2025. My car has been updated with the software that was suppose to fix the issue (version 3.6.4) but the recall issue happens more frequently now. The symptoms are the same: When first driving the car, if I put it into reverse, I either immediately get a “Camera Temporarily Not Available” warning or more often the rear camera comes on and then a few seconds later while backing up the camera turns off with the same error and does not automatically comeback on. Sometimes however will while backing up it may sometimes switch to 360 view which is not suppose to happen while in reverse. When the camera does this, I can manually toggle the camera back on/off via the cars user interface and it will display OK and may or may not turn off again with the error message. Car has been in the shop twice before for this issue this past year because the recall issue and each time newer software, at Polestar’s insistence, was installed. Their service center was also able to reproduce. The latest update v3.6.4 was installed over the air and was suppose to ‘finally’ fix it but it did not.

The reverse camera fails when backing up very frequently with the words "camera is temporarily unavailable". This is the same issue as NHTSA Recall No. 25v-280 but the recall work has already been done on my vehicle (I am already on software 3.6.4). I have had the updated software for only a few days and already had this failure at least three times. How was this allowed to be considered fixed? This is the second time polestar and the NHTSA have failed to do anything substantial about this issue and it has been an issue for multiple years. Please get your shit together.

When placed into reverse, backup camera fails to initialize. Displays message "Camera is temporarily unavailable". System software is 3.6.4

Backup camera either lags or shows camera not available when driving car shortly after starting

When shifting the vehicle into reverse the rear view camera fails to activate.

My Polestar 2's rear camera consistently malfunctions, either displaying a glitchy image or a 'rear camera unavailable' message. This issue occurs multiple times a week, significantly reducing rear visibility and creating an increased safety risk, especially when backing up or maneuvering in traffic. This defect presents a serious hazard and requires a reliable resolution

Backup camera continues to have random issues. Sometimes message pops up saying camera not available while in reverse.

They claimed to fix the rear camera issue with a recent recall fix but it is still a problem. I regularly get a 'camera not available' message when I put my car in reverse.

Back up camera routinely doesn’t work. Displays a message saying it’s temporarily unavailable. I’m running the latest software that was supposed to fix this, 3.6.4

Most recent recall has not resolved the issue of backup camera failing to operate properly. Often, the camera says”unavailable “ as the uploaded pictures show. Other times, the camera image freezes and turns off , causing a safety hazard for reversing. The open recall states that the software update will fix this. My software has been updated and these issues still persist.

When starting the car and reversing the display for the reversing camera that shows on the center console occasionally freezes and errors out. This happens about 1 in 4 times. This makes reversing hazardous when it happens as the camera is necessary to see all angles of the car as mirrors are not sufficient for full sight.

The contact owns a 2023 Polestar Polestar2. The contact stated while reversing, the message "Camera Not Available" was displayed and the rearview camera image failed to display an image. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V280000 (Back Over Prevention), but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

I was notified of NHTSA RECALL 24V-280 - RP1056 of my vehicle. Polestar said this issue was fixed by going to software 3.6.3. My Car skipped this update and went straight to 3.6.4 which is past that release. But the same issue is present and works no better. I still get frequent messages in the console saying "camera is temporarily unavailable"

The parking assist camera reports an error when trying to reverse. I have already received a recall notice (25V-280) and had the software updated at the dealer to v3.6.4. However, I still get an error that the "Camera is temporarily unavailable" when putting the car in reverse. This error does not happen every time, but it typically occurs when I put the car in reverse immediately after getting in the car (ex. when getting into the car to back out of my garage).

Rearview camera consistently fails, and will show "camera temporarily unavailable" despite the over-the-air update to software versions 3.6.4

I'm the original owner and curenthly the ODO reading is 25316 I have multiple ''Camera temporarily unavailable'' messages for back up camera on all previous software but I was ingnoring them and not fill up any complain to NHSA and on the last software update 3.6.4 that suppose to fix this is happening almost evrytime time. Not sure how long would take them to fix the issues.I belive is even a safety recall for this Software update but is not working.(a least in my car).

I have received the latest OTA update (3.6.4) and I am still having rear camera issues. I believe that the CPU unit on these cars are faulty as I see many in online forums reporting the same.

I have a Polestar 2 and it has been recalled for an over the air update to correct backup camera failing to activate. The current software version for the computer in the car is 3.6.4. I am writing to notify your agency that the issue is uncorrected despite this “patch” or over the air update and that the rear backup camera still does not activate when switching in to reverse. This is a safety problem because the car has bad visibility when using mirrors and much of the rear of the car can not be viewed with mirrors.

Rear camera continues to stop working while reversing the vehicle. Latest software has been installed (3.6.4). This problem happens frequently, and makes parking and maneuvering dangerous.

After getting the update to fix the rear camera not being available, I still got the message stating camera is temporarily unavailable while I was backing out of the driveway.

Backup camera will say “camera temporarily unavailable.” Manufacturer says it’s working on a fix.

Backup camera says camera not available and does not work ~50% of the time while trying to back up.

The backup camera some times does not work for a minute when the car first starts up.

Rear backup camera has consistently failed to initialize since I purchased the vehicle in September 2023. Infotainment system states: “Camera is temporarily unavailable”

Almost everyday I back out of my driveway and the backup camera either doesn't start at all (it says 'temporarily unavailable' - but oddly seems to work a few minutes later). Or it flickers so badly and slowly between an overhead view and backup that its hard to see. This has caused multiple near misses. The rear window is nearly useless so I can't even overcome this there was already one recall on this system and it actually made the number of times the camera goes unavailable worse, not better.

- Every time I back up within ~30-60 seconds of getting in the car, the backup camera turns off and switches to a screen that says "Camera unavailable". This is a major safety issue and has led to some close calls while backing up. Someone could have been hit. - This is an extremely common issue that most Polestar 2 owners have (at least for <=2023 models), the service center has been unable to do anything. - This has been happening since I got the car in January 2022

When first starting the vehicle the camera routinely does not work and gives an error message "Camera is temporarily unavailable". This typically happens in the first minute or two. I have brought up this issue with the service center and they confirmed all software updates had been performed. Due to the design of the vehicle it's very hard to see out of the back so the camera is very important. The issue occurred today, 2/18/25, so I am entering that date although it has happened the entire time I have owned the vehicle (Late October 2023). Current mileage is approximately 21,000 miles.

The car consistently has issues with the rear view camera failing when reversing with a warning stating "Camera is Temporarily Unavailable." When backing up the camera sometimes stutters, making it impossible to notice a person or object until it's too late and then it fails completely to a black screen and presents a warning that the camera is unavailable. This is an example incident that has occured every day this week, when backing out of our driveway the camera will take almost a minute to turn on as the infotainment system boots up although the car is already in reverse. As you reverse, it stutters for a few seconds before failing completely. The rear collision warning will kick and slam on the brakes as we almost backed into traffic while the camera was blacked out. The issue is further exacerbated because the design of the car is based on leveraging the rear view camera and has limited visibility if trying to back up using the rear window. The car also lowers the side view mirrors when reversing and when the camera fails, the sideview mirrors remain dipped. Usually don't notice until we get on the highway and try to change lanes and realize we can't check if there's a car in our blind spot and need to readjust the mirrors while trying to drive on Atlanta highways. We have complained multiple times and Polestar keeps insisting they have fixed it with the latest software update but nothing has changed. They have utilized insufficient hardware power for critical safety systems. We have multiple complaints recorded with Dyer and Dyer Volvo to address the issue with no resolution. This has been occurring since the car was new.

The rear camera freezes or doesn’t work at all.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The reverse cameras don't function. It doesn't turn on with a message on the center screen saying. The camera system is temporarily unavailable. Yes, it is available for inspection upon resuqest. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The rear visibility while reversing is not adequate, causing multiple issues when parking into tight spaces without the camera, Additionally the ADAS Forward collision warning brakes randomly resulting in unintentional brake checks on highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer blamed the issue on a connected dashcam. This is not confirmed by Polestar or Volvo. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, Volvo of austin. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO

Often when getting in the car and backing up to leave a garage or parking space the backup camera will not display anything and posts the message “Backup Camera Temporarily Unavailable.” sometimes the backup camera may work for a second or two before displaying the message and sometimes it immediately shows. The message will stay until I manually toggle off and on the camera OR the car triggers its 360 camera if near another object. When the 360 view happens it stays in that view which uses the same rear camera and from that screen I can also then just show the rear camera. This started happening Since Aug 2024 AFTER a fix for a software recall for the backup camera “flashing” black for long periods of time a new and very related problem emerged that happens almost as often, maybe 50% of the time when I first backup out of my garage and 20% of the time later in the day when backing up after getting in the car in a parking lot. I have a video of the entire sequence which I can’t upload but would be happy to provide.

While in reverse, the backup camera frequently goes blank and an onscreen warning appears stating that the rear camera is temporarily unavailable.

The rearview camera is completely unstable and almost unusable. After various software upgrades the problem has got worse not better and Polestar seem to take zero responsibility to fix this.

The rearview camera is completely unstable and almost unusable. After various software upgrades the problem has got worse not better and Polestar seem to take zero responsibility to fix this.

The backup camera never works. There was a recent update that made it much worse. The visibility is terrible out of the back window so the camera is pretty important. It always just says it’s unavailable which is very frustrating. No inspections or warning lights but it seems to be a software issue that many people are experiencing

The backup camera seemingly blinks just as you begin backing up and at random times as the vehicle is backing up causing vision to be lost

Upon putting the vehicle into reverse, the backup camera takes an insurmountably long time to engage and when it does, the image it produces frequently flashes for several seconds before stabilizing, rendering it useless - particularly with pedestrians or vehicles behind the car. Recent OTA updates have exacerbated this problem, which poses a pretty severe safety risk in a car with such limited rear visibility, and after researching the problem online, it's pretty clear that it's an endemic issue to the car and can likely be remedied through software, but the manufacturer has thus far shown little interest in addressing it.

Upon putting the vehicle into reverse, the backup camera takes an insurmountably long time to engage and when it does, the image it produces frequently flashes for several seconds before stabilizing, rendering it useless - particularly with pedestrians or vehicles behind the car. Recent OTA updates have exacerbated this problem, which poses a pretty severe safety risk in a car with such limited rear visibility, and after researching the problem online, it's pretty clear that it's an endemic issue to the car and can likely be remedied through software, but the manufacturer has thus far shown little interest in addressing it.

The vehicle improperly sensed an impending rear collision when there was no vehicle present. The vehicle entered a mode where the electronic seatbelt tensioners aggressively pulled the occupants and did not release until the seatbelt latches were depressed. This happened in traffic. The occupants sustained soft tissue injuries. The manufacturer refused to acknowledge the situation.

The contact owns a 2023 Polestar Polestar2. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was shifted in reverse(R) the back over prevention camera screen was black. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determine that an unknown software update needed to be performed. The software update was performed four times, but the failure persisted. The contact was provided a 2023 Polestar Polestar2 loaner, and the vehicle also experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10.

Mileage: 10

The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk apron, causing the emergency braking system to trigger. This has happened often enough to the point where I disable the emergency braking system on every startup.

The parking camera system freezes and flickers on a fresh startup on a fairly consistent basis, all you have to do is let the car go into a "sleep state" then enter the car and go in to reverse. Also, there are false positives from the parking collision system in the rear when going down a sidewalk apron, causing the emergency braking system to trigger. This has happened often enough to the point where I disable the emergency braking system on every startup.