[karsta]

In my case the noise was stronger on the rear left side, and they changed the left axel first. After this they did some tests again, and it also faintly appeared from the right axle. So they ended up changing both of them this week. Only time will tell if it was a permanent fix.

 

[alexr]

My car has picked up this noise ever since it was in for service two months ago. Gonna have to make an appointment it seems.

 

[PolarWolf]

Just want to give some input on this topic:

TL;DR: Heard "card-in-spokes/prize wheel" sound from car. Booked appointment and noise was gone with one week in service with both rear axles replaced.

Late December of 2023 I started to hear the card-in-spokes sound, and it got more noticeable over time. Ran a search on the forums which was very informative, so I just booked an appointment with my car at ~24000 mi/38624 km last Thursday. Took the car into Polestar South Coast, they had a loaner available (thankfully) which was basically the same exact vehicle, just in a different color.

Just got the car back the following week. Considering they had New Year's Day off, the turnaround was reasonable in my opinion, considering I had a loaner vehicle available (although I missed having my CA carpool sticker). Turns out they replaced both rear axles which eliminated the issue - and upon driving the car after picking it up, the noise was gone! Car is still under warranty so I did not have to pay anything, for what was a $2000+ job. Also, I always appreciate the included car wash - car was dirty when I brought it in and it was looking pretty fresh when I got it back.

Shoutout to the Service Advisor Jonathan and the Service Team at Polestar South Coast. He really took care of me was very good in giving updates along the way. I was getting anxious (because I really missed the carpool sticker) and called in twice to check the status, and he made sure to give me an accurate and informative updates every time I bothered them. Really appreciate their service, and never had a bad experience there.

 

[Pranner]

I just got my car back. They had replaced a right rear axle early 2023 at around 55000kms but the noise came back.
This time, they replaced both rear axles no charge at the direction of Polestar Sweden. Tech said noise has come back on some vehicles with one axle replaced, but so far noise hasn’t come back when both axles are replaced. I am at 95000kms now and out of warranty, so I appreciate this very much.
I noticed on the work order that they also added 2 spacers. This was not indicated on the original repair. Did they finally figure out the real root of the problem is actually that spacers are needed to correct the original design?
I hope my experience gives hope to any who are now out of warranty. Polestar know it’s a real issue that many are experiencing and are making it right.
I am very pleased with the outcome.
I really hope this is the final fix!

 

[TwoThirdsRiceKrispy]

I have this same noise whenever the weather is cold. The noise doesn't bother me. What happens, if anything, if I ignore it? What's going to eventually fail?

 

[Pranner]

I have this same noise whenever the weather is cold. The noise doesn't bother me. What happens, if anything, if I ignore it? What's going to eventually fail?

The noise comes from the wearing out of the axle shaft, apparently from it stressing at a wrong angle.
If that’s the case, the shaft will keep wearing out over time at an increasing pace with metal shards suspended in the grease. One day it could be catastrophic and just shred as you try to accelerate causing you to need a tow and possibly even collateral damage to the surrounding area. That’s I think the worst scenario and it would take a while to get to that point.
I would recommend you get it done. Most spaces seem to have the parts in stock so the turnaround shouldn’t be too long.

 

[JRRF]

I have this same noise whenever the weather is cold. The noise doesn't bother me. What happens, if anything, if I ignore it? What's going to eventually fail?

Definitely get it done. It's actually an easy job that they can complete in a day if they are not busy, and the parts are in stock (which they usually are now that this is a known issue). And it definitely is more prominent in cold weather, or when the car (axles) are cold. Once things warm up back there the noise abates.

 

[Gaboose]

I just had my '22 P2 Pilot/Plus w Performance Software serviced under warranty for the same clicking sound. It was one or both of the rear axles, and they replaced both of them, completely solving the noise issue. I asked if they had been replaced with identical parts or if the parts had been modified after the issue began to emerge for a number of cars. I was told that the parts have been updated, so they believe it will not reoccur. Here's hoping that's accurate. I'm also hoping I'll get better efficiency after the repair. I've imagined that faulty splines clicking probably meant at least some wasted drive energy and/or reduced regeneration opportunity. Too soon -- and too cold out -- to tell if that theory holds any water.

One other benefit: I got three weeks of loaner use of a '24 Pilot/Plus/Leather. I found that I liked my weave tech seats better than the leather and I still prefer the grill look on the '22 over the "Barney the Dinosaur" look of the '24 (now that I say it, do you see it?), but the '24 did feel a tiny bit peppier at the low end of acceleration. Maybe the different motor is just a hair better in that low speed area.

 

[JRRF]

I was told that the parts have been updated

I don't believe the service techs know. But they know what you want to hear

I'm also hoping I'll get better efficiency after the repair. I've imagined that faulty splines clicking probably meant at least some wasted drive energy and/or reduced regeneration opportunity.

I didn't see any difference at all.

the '24 did feel a tiny bit peppier at the low end of acceleration.

The '24 has 20 more ponies "under the hood".

And why did it take them 3 weeks?? I had both axles replaced in a day.

 

[Gaboose]

I don't believe the service techs know. But they know what you want to hear


I didn't see any difference at all.


The '24 has 20 more ponies "under the hood".

And why did it take them 3 weeks?? I had both axles replaced in a day.

My Space/Volvo service center is absolutely slammed all of the time. It's impossible to schedule for anything with less than a month of delay, and longer if you want a loaner. Then when your car goes there, it takes another week or more. Some of it had to do with a drop-off just before the winter holidays, though. I'm sure that gummed up the timing.

 

[JRRF]

My Space/Volvo service center is absolutely slammed all of the time. It's impossible to schedule for anything with less than a month of delay, and longer if you want a loaner. Then when your car goes there, it takes another week or more. Some of it had to do with a drop-off just before the winter holidays, though. I'm sure that gummed up the timing.

I'd try to schedule a month out, and then bring the car in the day before they are set to work on it. Otherwise your car is just sitting on their lot while you drive a loaner.

 

[TwoThirdsRiceKrispy]

Weirdly, I just drove home in 23°F weather and didn't hear the wheel of fortune. I now wonder if the issue occurs in a rather narrow temperature band, and if that's the case my odds of getting a proper diagnosis is slim to none given that I'm 6 hours away from the closest service center.

 

[Jamie]

So I've had this issue for about 9 months now, ticking noise from rear when coming to a stop both with OPD on and off. When it started it was fairly intermittent but over time it has progressed to all the time when coming to a stop. Took it in to Volvo last year and they greased the drive shafts - no difference. Took it in last week and they accepted the noise was constant. They said they spoke to Polestar technical who said 'we've never heard of this before' which of course is complete BS. Polestar suggested volvo find a 'donor' car and take the drive shafts off that and try them on mine (!!!!!). Of course Volvo coudn't just find a donor car and now a week later Polestar have authorised new replacement driveshafts and hubs which are on order. It appears that persistence may be required with this issue!! seems to me they know there is an issue but doing their best to play it down.

 

[JRRF]

So I've had this issue for about 9 months now, ticking noise from rear when coming to a stop both with OPD on and off. When it started it was fairly intermittent but over time it has progressed to all the time when coming to a stop. Took it in to Volvo last year and they greased the drive shafts - no difference. Took it in last week and they accepted the noise was constant. They said they spoke to Polestar technical who said 'we've never heard of this before' which of course is complete BS. Polestar suggested volvo find a 'donor' car and take the drive shafts off that and try them on mine (!!!!!). Of course Volvo coudn't just find a donor car and now a week later Polestar have authorised new replacement driveshafts and hubs which are on order. It appears that persistence may be required with this issue!! seems to me they know there is an issue but doing their best to play it down.

You wonder if it's the dealer or Polestar stonewalling. Not a good look either way.

 

[Jamie]

You wonder if it's the dealer or Polestar stonewalling. Not a good look either way.

yeah agreed. To be fair Volvo seemed to be trying their best, the tec even took a sound recording and sent it to Polestar. So who knows, but my instinct was that Polestar trying to play it down. I can only guess that they hoped I would accept second hand driveshafts and that the buyer of the donor car wouldn't notice the issue. All seems bizzare to me, I really cant believe that whoever they spoke to in Polestar hadn't heard of this issue given how many people are talking about it in this thread and others. I'd suggest that anyone with the ticking gets it looked at before their warranty runs out.

 

[JRRF]

They definitely know about it, and there are many stocked parts available because they know about it.

 

[TwoThirdsRiceKrispy]

I have disappointing news on this topic. I emailed an audio recording to the new service center near Nashville, and it was then forwarded to Polestar. Polestar refuses to order the parts we all know are required ahead of time. That means I'll probably have to drop the car off and drive 6 hours home, paying for charging on my dime. What is so infuriating about this is that Polestar KNOWS what the solution is to this defect. They KNOW the recording I provided sounds exactly like the dreaded "wheel of fortune" clicking noise in the rear of the car that others have documented. They KNOW these facts, but they refuse to go the extra mile to help me get the repair done quickly. They insist that I get it to the service center so they can hear it for themselves, and THEN they'll order the parts they know are required. Instead, of doing what's right I will now have to sacrifice TWO vacation days. If they don't provide a loaner I'll be out a rental cost too.

To be clear, I'm not blaming the service center. No, the blame falls directly with Polestar.

I wish I could just dump this car, but I still owe more than what it's worth because of the atrocious depreciation. It's the most unreliable car I've ever owned in my life, and I've owned quite a few.

 

[chazglenn3]

It's under warranty. No reason they should not supply you with a loaner car. Sorry that you are one of the few that has "the most unreliable car I've ever owned in your life".

 

[JRRF]

I wish I could just dump this car, but I still owe more than what it's worth because of the atrocious depreciation. It's the most unreliable car I've ever owned in my life, and I've owned quite a few.

Can you elaborate further? Other than the warranty axles (which will definitely cost you some time although the car still runs), what else has happened with the car that makes it unreliable?

 

[TwoThirdsRiceKrispy]

Can you elaborate further? Other than the warranty axles (which will definitely cost you some time although the car still runs), what else has happened with the car that makes it unreliable?

I've traveled from St. Louis to Charlotte (12 hours, including charges) to have a TCAM fault resolved, front suspension struts replaced due to an apparent assembly error, and a bracket from the noisy HVAC system replaced (although it's STILL noisy, so I really shouldn't consider that one resolved).