5 Common Polaris Ranger EV Problems , Recalls & Specs

Polaris has been manufacturing off-road vehicles since the 1950s when they started making snowmobiles. Today, Polaris is a major leader and producer of UTVs. Even though they have been in the market for so long and have been pioneers in the manufacture of UTVs, like our Ranger, Polaris can still have its share of problems.

Problems associated with the electric Polaris Ranger include charging difficulty, sudden unintended acceleration, battery problems, and other electrical complications. Polaris has also had to issue a few recalls on their Ranger EVs related to seatbelt failures and issues with accelerator wiring. Some of these problems are generally easily repaired, while others will need to be brought to a dealer.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a Ranger EV, already have one, and want to know more, or looking to compare brands, keep reading as we go over the most common issues. We are going to cover the above problems and more, how to troubleshoot them, and what you can do to get them fixed.

Polaris Ranger EV Specs

Polaris has a few models of electric UTVs, all with different price tags and options. Here are some of the specs on their popular electric models.

Polaris Ranger	EV	XP Kinetic Premium	XP Kinetic Ultimate
Engine Type	Single 48-Volt, High-Efficiency, AC-Induction Motor	Interior Permanent Magnet AC Motor	Interior Permanent Magnet AC Motor
Battery	Traditional Lead-Acid	Lithium Ion, 14.9 kWh Nominal	Lithium Ion, 29.8 kWh Nominal
Transmission	Direct Drive With Low-Noise Gears	Gates Synchronous Belt H/L/N/P (Electronic Forward/Reverse), Shaft	Gates Synchronous Belt H/L/N/P (Electronic Forward/Reverse), Shaft
Starting Price	$14,699	$24,999	$29,999
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut 9 in (22.9 cm) Travel	Dual A-Arm 10 in. (25.4 cm) Travel	Dual A-Arm 10 in. (25.4 cm) Travel
Rear Suspension	Dual A-Arm, IRS 9″ (22.9 cm) Travel	Dual A-Arm, IRS 10 in. (25.4 cm) Travel	Dual A-Arm, IRS 10 in. (25.4 cm) Travel
Ground Clearance	10 in (25.4 cm)	14 in (35.6 cm)	14 in (35.6 cm)
Horsepower	30 HP	110 HP	1500 lbs
Payload Capacity	1,000 lb (453 kg)	1,500 lbs (680.4 kg)	1,500 lbs (680.4 kg)
Range on Full Charge	35-45 Miles	45-80 Miles	45-80 Miles

Polaris Ranger EV Recalls

Polaris has had to issue a few recalls on their popular Ranger EV UTVs. Here are the details of the recalls and models associated.

• Possible seat belt failure that can result in injury to users and passengers if a collision or accident happens.
  • The recall was put into effect in April 2020 and included approximately 10,000 units. The models involved include
    • 2020 Ranger EV with VIN numbers between;
    • 4XABEPD40K8940052 through 4XABEPD4XK8940172
    • 4XARRB990L8930682 through 4XARSW99XL8932306
    • 4XAT6A990L8881136 through 4XATAU99XL8884593
    • 3NSM4A570LE764085 through 3NSMAE57XLE767012
    • 3NSMAA500LE763806, through 3NSMAA50XLE768821
    • 3NSMAAE40LE765283 through 3NSMAAE4XLE768742

• The front lower control arms might come loose or separate which can cause a crash.
  • The second recall includes about 1000 2018 Ranger EVs and Ranger EV LI-ION UTVs. Model numbers included in this recall are;
    • R18RMAE4G8
    • R18RMAE4G9
    • R18RMAL4G9

• Incorrect electrical wiring in the accelerator pedal position sensor results in unintended vehicle acceleration.
  • This recall relates to 2015 to 2019 Ranger EV vehicles.
  • Approximately 250 Ranger EV vehicles are impacted by this recall.

If you have any of these models, stop using them and return them to your local Polaris dealer to have the repairs made free of charge.

Common Problems with the Polaris Ranger EV

The issues below may or may not be model or brand specific. These are just issues commonly brought up by Polaris Ranger EV owners. If you own one of these vehicles you may not experience any of these problems, or you might end up having issues we haven’t covered. With that, let’s get into them.

Polaris Ranger EV Charging Problems

This problem is one of the most common issues among Ranger EV owners. The charger either takes too long to charge, it charges and stops before the battery is full, or has other problems.

To make sure you’re able to properly charge your Ranger EV, you may need to have a charging station or proper charging outlet installed. Polaris Ranger EVs work on DC power, and a regular AC outlet may cause problems.

If the battery doesn’t charge correctly, make sure all accessories on the UTV are turned off, or check to make sure there isn’t any damage to the charging cord or other connections. Constant charging problems may require the assistance of a Polaris technician.

Struggling Up Hills

When going uphill, sometimes the Polaris Ranger EV struggles to climb or even causes an uncomfortable jerking movement. Many times this is because the battery doesn’t have enough charge, or there are other electrical issues causing the jerky movements.

Newer batteries seem to not have the jerking problem, so if you’re experiencing a jolting ride when you are trying to climb a hill, you might need to replace the battery. It could also be a controller issue, if that’s the case, try replacing the controller.

Check all the battery connections. Corroded or loose electrical connections can rob your batteries of power, leading to sluggish performance when on an incline.

One other thing to look at is the battery type. The base model Ranger EV has traditional lead-acid batteries which don’t perform as well as new lithium-ion batteries. Swapping out lead batteries for higher-performing lithium batteries may increase your climbing power.

Battery Issues

Every electric powered UTV manufacturer has some sort of battery issue. From charging problems to quick drainage, to sudden loss of power, Polaris is no different. They are working to improve battery issues and have come a long way.

The biggest complaint for Ranger EV owners is short battery life. While Polaris claims their batteries will last between 35 to 80 miles on one charge, that’s based on optimum conditions. Brand new vehicles, running on smooth, flat ground, at a lower speed will last longer than an older battery that has to travel over rough ground.

Proper battery maintenance and correct charging techniques are the best ways to keep your batteries working properly. Be sure to not over, or under charge your batteries. Also, be sure to not leave your Ranger EV plugged in for long stretches.

The best way to ruin a lithium-ion battery is to constantly keep it plugged in. Most chargers do have a shut-off, but as soon as the battery drops 1%, the charger kicks back in. This constant charging heats up the battery, and heat is the number one enemy of lithium batteries.

Sudden Acceleration

A few owners have experienced a sudden, unintended acceleration in their Ranger EV. This is caused by the wrong wiring or other electrical issues in the UTV. If you have experienced this with your Ranger EV, stop using it, and return it to the dealer as this is addressed in a recall and will be fixed for free.

Conclusion

Polaris Ranger EVs are a great alternative to smelly, loud, gas-powered vehicles, but they too have their share of issues. While they may be quiet enough to take hunting, they have a short range, especially if you have to climb hills or go off-roading.

The Polaris Ranger EVs can also have problems charging, experience sudden acceleration, or have other electrical issues. Proper charging and battery maintenance can stave off many of these issues. Although, if you constantly have battery or other electrical issues, you’ll have to take your UTV back to the dealer so they can repair it for you.