The brake controller software issue could trigger a brake control degradation, resulting in reduced braking effectiveness of the vehicle.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

Polestar (NASDAQ: PSNY) is recalling nearly 2,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in China in a major recall for the first time in years.

The EV maker is recalling a total of 1,867 units of 2023 and 2024 Polestar 4 EVs manufactured locally between November 29, 2023 and February 1, 2024, effective immediately, according to an announcement on China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website today.

Some of the vehicles covered by the recall have a brake controller software issue that could trigger a brake control degradation, resulting in the failure of functions including brake electronic assist, according to the announcement.

This could result in reduced braking effectiveness and a safety hazard, the announcement said.

If users experience a brake system malfunction indicated by the vehicle's instrument screen, they are advised to maintain a safe distance and brake with increased brake pedal force, according to the announcement.

Polestar will upgrade the software for the recalled vehicles free of charge via OTA (over the air) technology.

For vehicles that cannot be upgraded via OTA, Polestar will contact the users to upgrade the vehicles free of charge.

Polestar was co-founded by Volvo and Geely in 2017, and let the Polestar 4 go on sale in China on the first day of the Shanghai auto show on April 17, 2023, when the starting price range was RMB 349,800 ($48,450) to 533,800 yuan.

On November 16, 2023, Polestar lowered the starting price of the model to RMB 299,900 by stripping out the benefit package that was originally included in the Polestar 4 price.

On January 12, Polestar began delivering the Polestar 4 in China.

On March 7, Polestar announced a RMB 60,000 discount for the Polestar 4 amid fierce price competition, limited to customers who purchased the model between March 1-31 and available only to the 100 people who paid the deposit.

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