TCAM Connectivity Issues in the Polestar 2: A Personal Account

The Polestar 2 is an all-electric fastback sedan that has been making waves in the automotive industry. Priced at a manageable $48,400, it is a more accessible vehicle than the $155k hybrid Polestar 1. However, despite its success, the Polestar 2 has been plagued by reports of connectivity failures, specifically TCAM (Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module) failures.

Introduction to the Polestar 2 and TCAM Failures

The TCAM is the device that houses and controls the various connectivity radios inside the Polestar 2. These radios include data, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and key fob connection. When the TCAM fails, it has several problems, ranging from lack of data and GPS connectivity to rendering the car inaccessible and unable to drive. This is because the TCAM also controls the connectivity to the key fob.

My Experience as a Polestar 2 Owner

I am a Polestar 2 owner and have had my car since May 2022. I purchased the dual motor with pilot package and have driven almost 20,000 miles. Unfortunately, I have encountered a couple of common but major problems. The first was a propulsion system error that required a tow to service and a loaner car. Polestar honored everything they promised when purchasing the car and I had it back in functioning order the following day.

The next issue occurred after an over-the-air update 2.3 which locked me out of my car for almost 12 hours. This was due to a number of issues, one being that I was not provided an emergency key blade when I purchased the car and the OTA update failed and did not allow me to access the car. Although it did finally recover after 12 hours, it was a major inconvenience.

At around 17k miles, I received an SOS ecall service required and noticed that the SOS was red. GPS and data were still working as expected. I did not notice that the key was not working as I have PAK set up. Once I got to work, I tested my key fob, which did not function. So it would seem I was able to drive via PAK only. I called Polestar and they will be able to get me next Thursday. They will also pick up my Polestar and drop off a loaner 122 miles away.

Dealing with Service and Maintenance

I decided to try a different Polestar space location as it is a similar distance and right away I noticed that they were easier to work with to set up the service appointment. In comparison to my previous experience, I had to speak with a service manager and persuade them to provide me with a Polestar loaner and arrange for pickup and drop-off. However, this time around, the process was much smoother as the service team proactively asked me if I needed a loaner or pickup and drop-off service. I was double-checking the distance to my work and the team reassured me that they would not have an issue if it was slightly over the 150 miles radius, which ended up being within the limit.

After work, I got a notification on the car stating that I was up for regular maintenance. I called Polestar back and had them tack that onto the service order. So I suppose this knocks out 2 birds with 1 stone. Had I not needed regular maintenance I probably would have tried the various fixes that are available. However, with needing regular maintenance I figured I would let Polestar deal with it and hopefully add to the statistics and help them find the source of the problem.

Regardless, hopefully, my PAK doesn't stop working before Thursday. It is just an unfortunate problem plaguing the Polestar 2. But I am thankful that this Space is easier to deal with.

Conclusion: Balancing the Pros and Cons of the Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 is an impressive vehicle with a lot to offer but it is not without its problems. The TCAM failures are a significant issue, affecting a small number of owners and causing a range of connectivity problems, some of which can render the car inaccessible. It is important for potential buyers to be aware of this issue and weigh it against the benefits of the vehicle. However, it is also important to note that Polestar has been responsive in addressing these issues and providing solutions to affected owners.