Polaris GEM E2 (2017) Recall: Risk of Vehicle Reversing Instead of Forward
Polaris is recalling certain 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD vehicles due to a drive mode switch issue that may cause the vehicle to reverse instead of moving forward, increasing crash risk. Owners must contact Polaris for free replacement of the drive mode system.
Use caution until it’s fixed
If the operator intends to go forward, but the vehicle reverses instead, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
What happened, in plain English
Polaris is recalling 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD vehicles because a faulty drive mode switch can cause the vehicle to reverse instead of moving forward when the operator intends to go forward. This increases the risk of a crash and requires a free replacement of the drive mode system. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1225952-polaris-gem-e2-2017-recall-risk-of-vehicle-reversing-instead.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1225952-polaris-gem-e2-2017-recall-risk-of-vehicle-reversing-instead · Updated October 6, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #18V484000
Cite this page
“Polaris GEM E2 (2017) Recall: Risk of Vehicle Reversing Instead of Forward.” GovInfoNow, updated October 6, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1225952-polaris-gem-e2-2017-recall-risk-of-vehicle-reversing-instead. Based on NHTSA recall #18V484000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V484000).
Why it’s dangerous
The drive mode switch can send an incorrect signal, causing the vehicle to become inoperative or move in the opposite direction than intended. This means the vehicle might reverse when the operator intends to go forward, increasing the risk of a crash.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD vehicles are affected. Riders who operate these vehicles without the fix are at risk of a crash if the vehicle reverses instead of moving forward.
How to tell if you have this one
Check for 2016-2017 GEM E2, E4, E6, and ELXD vehicles. The recall began November 28, 2018, and applies to vehicles with the drive mode switch issue described.
- Brand
Polaris- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact Polaris Customer Service
Owners should call Polaris at 1-855-863-2284 to schedule a free replacement of the drive mode system.
Get Drive Mode System Replacement
Dealers will replace the drive mode system with one that has separate inputs for each position (forward, neutral, and reverse) at no cost.
What NHTSA says to do
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.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
2 dated steps over 4 months.
- NHTSA received the defect report
- Recall began
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #18V484000 (July 19, 2018)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 6, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.