A rhythmic clicking or ticking noise from the rear of the car — often described as a "wheel of fortune" or pinwheel sound — is one of the more common mechanical issues on dual-motor Polestar 2s. It's caused by wear in the rear driveshaft CV joints, and if left unaddressed, it will get progressively worse.
Symptoms
- Rhythmic ticking or clicking during deceleration at low speed, especially below 30 km/h
- The sound often comes from the rear and may be faint at first, growing more pronounced over time
- More noticeable when lifting off the accelerator or lightly braking
- Can sometimes be heard during low-speed acceleration as well
- Some owners describe it as sounding like a playing card in bicycle spokes
What Causes It
The rear driveshafts (half-shafts) on early Polestar 2 dual-motor cars experience premature wear in their CV (constant velocity) joints. The torque characteristics of the electric rear motor — instant torque with frequent regenerative braking cycles — place more stress on these joints than a conventional drivetrain would.
The original driveshafts were not adequately designed for these loads, leading to wear on the CV joint internals and splines.
The Fix
Polestar issued Technical Journal TJ 36854.1.0 ("Ticking Noise During Deceleration at Low Speed") in March 2024, documenting the issue and the repair procedure.
- 1.Both rear driveshafts should be replaced. Replacing only one side often results in the noise returning on the other side shortly after. The labor time is approximately 1.3 hours per side (VST Operation 46602-2).
- 2.Updated driveshafts are available. Revised shafts with a rubber damper in the middle are now the standard replacement part for 2021–2023 dual-motor cars.
- 3.Initial workaround: Early guidance from Polestar involved removing, cleaning, and re-greasing the axle splines. This was a temporary fix at best — the noise typically returned within weeks or months.
Parts
The Polestar 2 sits on the same CMA platform as the Volvo XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, and the 2021–2023 rear driveshafts are shared with the equivalent Volvo models — which means better availability through both Polestar and Volvo dealers.
Important: 2024+ Polestar 2s use a completely different rear drive unit (a new rear motor, and rear-wheel drive on single-motor cars). Their driveshafts are not interchangeable with 2021–2023 cars. The part numbers below are for 2021–2023 dual-motor cars only. Confirm with your VIN before ordering.
| Part Number | Side | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 32339346 | Rear Left | Original factory part (2021–2023 dual motor) |
| 36003708 | Rear Left | Revised with rubber damper — current replacement |
| 32339099 | Rear Right | Original factory part (2021–2023 dual motor) |
| 36003709 | Rear Right | Revised with rubber damper — current replacement |
See the Parts Catalog for cross-references and vendor listings.
Should I Worry?
Left untreated, the wear will worsen over time. In severe cases it could lead to CV joint failure, which could result in loss of drive or damage to surrounding components. Don't ignore it — get it diagnosed and replaced.
Cost
The repair has typically been covered under warranty. Out-of-warranty, expect roughly $2,000+ for both sides including parts and labor.
Which Model Years Are Affected
2021–2023 dual-motor cars. The issue is specific to the rear driveshafts of the original powertrain. 2021–2023 single-motor cars are front-wheel drive and have no rear driveshafts, so they're not affected. 2024+ cars (single and dual motor) use an entirely new rear drive unit and driveshafts, and TJ 36854 does not apply to them.