The 2022 Polestar 2 is a completely new 4 door hatchback electric vehicle, serving as Volvo’s performance and electric-vehicle brand.  The 2022 Polestar 2 blends high-tech offerings with modern Swedish styling and claims the  “Polestar 2 delivers performance at a whole new level, helping make the shift to a sustainable future more engaging.”

However instead of a new level of performance, the Polestar has achieved a low level of performance with numerous complaints of problems with the TCAM and loss of connectivity.

Polestar TCAM Problems and Defects

The Polestar 2 is equipped with TCAM hardware (TCAM stands for Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module) which provides network and radio services which include, Internet connectivity (3g/4g/LTE), WIFI connectivity, GPS, Bluetooth, and Remote key locking.

Many Polestar 2 owners have reported TCAM problems and connectivity defects consisting of the following:

• The TCAM module can seemingly crash or go offline.
• The TCAM module battery can run down in some circumstances (during software updates?) which knocks the system out.
• The TCAM is unable to accept Over-The-Air updates

This is not the first time Volvo, the manufacturer of the Polestar,  has had problems with connectivity and infotainment.  We had previously reported of similar connectivity and infotainment problems with the Volvo XC60.

TCAM Reported Complaints

Numerous Polestar owners have reported online many Polestar TCAM problems.

• Read this TCAM complaint on NHTSA “3/3/22 TCAM went out no LTE no GPS no SOS no Roadside Assistance called dealer had appt for 3/5/22 to have repaired picked up that afternoon everything worked this afternoon 3/8/22 it all went out again”
• Another Polestar 2 owner reports of TCAM Defects on NHTSA “Vehicle TCAM module stops working, losing LTE connectivity and other vehicle telematics including ‘SOS’ emergency communication features.”
•  The complaints continue “TCAM/Navigation fails. GPS location got really flaky and jumped all over the map, and ultimately stopped working altogether. This TCAM failure seems like a common issue on the polestar forums. The safety concern is mainly the amount of confusion it caused since it was telling me to turn left or right in places where that wouldn’t have been legal or safe (because it thought I was somewhere else).

Polestar TCAM Problem Repair – Service Action S10138

Polestar is aware of the TCAM problems and loss of connectivity and has issued Service Action S1013 for Model Years 2021-2022 Polestar 2.

Polestar “has identified a [TCAM] issue with digital certificates which renders the car unable to accept an Over-The-Air update (a manual update at retailers is still possible). This may lead to the customer losing connectivity between the vehicle and the Polestar app.”

Polestar 2 owners have been notified of the TCAM defect and are directed to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer for a software update pursuant to the Service Action S10138.

TCAM Repair Solutions by Owners

Despite the Service Action notice by Polestar to repair the TCAM, many owners are still reporting continued problems.  Polestar 2 owners have recommended the following TCAM repair solutions:

1. Reset the TCAM.  Holding down the front demister button for 30 seconds will reset the TCAM when the car is parked sometimes will restore connectivity with the TCAM.
2. Power down the TCAM.  Some Polestar 2 owners have recommended disconnecting the 12v battery in order to power down the TCAM.
3. Replacing or flashing the TCAM.

TCAM Problem due to Leaking Shark Fin Radio Antenna

Some Polestar 2 owners have reported that a water leak in the shark fin radio satellite antenna (mounted on the roof of the hatch) has caused the TCAM to fail and recommends the shark fin antenna be replaced or resealed.  Read the Polestar 2 comments on Volvo Forum

• “When my TCAM had issues due to the shark fin leaking, the problem was intermittent. After each failure, it would magically work for about 4 weeks and then fail.  This TCAM failure happened three times. Each episode resulted in a visit to the dealer who fixed it by reinstalling the software, which obviously was not the correct fix.  This last visit, TCAM replacement and reinstallation of the TCAM firmware for the correct region has resulted in a fix that has now lasted 5 weeks.  My experience may be unique for my problem. But I am suspicious that moisture on the TCAM module causes intermittent failures and connectivity problems.  Prior to replacement I had intermittent GPS and LTE loss that occurred on an almost daily basis on first drive of the day….I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I’m also adding additional sealant to the shark fin antenna!”