2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 – Known Issues

In the world of UTVs, Polaris is one of the most reliable manufacturers.

The company has been producing incredible products from time to time, and the Polaris Ranger 1000 2021 model is no exception.

One thing is clear – the Ranger series is relatively more expensive than the competition.

But is your money worth the quality of service and performance this machine promises?

Unfortunately, it’s not all perfect. The 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 comes with several downsides.

And because of these limitations, you may encounter a few troubleshooting issues.

In this article, we will be looking at some common issues with the 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000. Everyone has a different experience with these machines.

You may, therefore, not see any of them.

Problems With The Torque In The Upper And Lower Steering Fasteners

Polaris has discovered that some of their 2021 Ranger 1000 vehicles may have issues with the steering fasteners.

The upper and lower fasteners connecting the steering shafts to the EPS motor may have inadequate torque.

Incorrect torquing of the steering shaft fasteners may lead to locked steering conditions.

It may lead to a loss of control in the steering. The end is a crash.

Less than 30 vehicles have been reported to have this issue globally. And the company is transparent enough to offer solutions.

One report has been received so far involving locked steering. Luckily, there have not been any injuries or damaged properties.

If you face this problem, you are advised to stop using the vehicle immediately and contact an authorized dealer.

You will get a service appointment for the vehicle and fix it as soon as possible.

Dealers have also been notified. It should therefore be easy to get assistance when you need it.

Issues With The Drive Belt

The most common issue with any utility task vehicle is the continuously variable transmission (CVT) drive belt. And the Ranger 1000 is no exception.

Although fixing some may be costly, these failures can be easy to prevent.

So, how do the issues develop? It’s primarily due to abuse, excessive use, poor driving skills, and missing maintenance.

Excessive heat is the enemy number #1 on these belts.

The belt will roast if you speed, drive while braking, or drive too slow with a heavy load.

Another effect could come from applying the throttle while the wheels are stuck. In this case, the drive clutch will be rotating, but the belt might not be.

This action causes the belt to burn in one place, giving it a lesser life span.

In case of water, mud, or debris on the CVT case, expect more inferior performance and reduced life span from the belt.

The tightness or looseness of the belt could hurt its performance. So, always ensure the belt is well tightened.

You can give it more life by deploying low gear drive at low speeds. The belt faces less stress and has more balance with the cooling air.

Some users have experienced more frequent belt issues. You can fix this by checking and ensuring the best conditions for your clutches.

You can invest in a heavy-duty belt too. Apart from that, choose a belt deflection within the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Issues With The Turf Mode

The turf mode is another prevalent issue with the 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000. It is a more complex problem.

The internet is filled with challenges from people who have installed larger Gift kits and modified gear on their vehicles.

Some users may believe there are no turf concerns with stock Rangers. There have been many reports of the turf mode exploding from nowhere.

Most turf mode issues are associated with the driver’s error. But there could also be design flaws and cheap parts that make the turf mode less effective.

When the operator engages the turf mode while moving or while the side-by-side wheels are still in motion, it could lead to this issue.

Also, it could be due to poor connection, which causes it to lock or unlock itself.

Either way, it ends in the grinding and binding or the gear teeth, making it break off.

Overloading the spool on improved side-by-sides could also cause turf mode issues on the Ranger 1000.

Many users have reported the backing off out of the bolts that hold the turf mode parts. Severe vibration could be the biggest reason for this failure.

Can The Polaris Ranger 1000 Turf Mode Issues Be fixed?

Older models of the Polaris Ranger 1000 have experienced turf mode problems due to bolts backing out and shuttering the transmission casing.

Simple disassembling of the transmission and using Loctite on the bolt nuts should resolve this problem. It keeps the components tightly secured in place.

The 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 and later models come with better turf modes. But you can still face this problem.

Design flaws and poor quality parts may still lead to the breakage of teeth in the turf gear.

If the fractures fall off, they may clog up the transmission box, leading to a crack.

Using larger tires causes more strain on the back axle. It can lead to friction and heat buildup.

Even Loctite may not help here.

Replacing the transmission housing may be necessary if you have broken on. That should fix some of these troubles.

The Throttle Pedal Problems

More than 100 000 units of the 2020-2021 Polaris vehicles were recalled by the company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

They had defective throttles. The list included the Ranger 1000.

The throttle on these vehicles took longer than expected when returning to the idle position. The throttle remains depressed, leading to a potential collision.

Some users reported that the throttle could return to idling where the vehicle stalls.

The leading cause of the problem is the software that changes the gear automatically. The vehicle may quickly accelerate if you start it while in gear.

More than 279 cases have been reported concerning the throttle pedals.

What To Do

Reports on failed throttle pedals have included some horrible incidences. It might cause severe property damage or even injure people.

These damages can cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Luckily, the company is aware of these issues. Perhaps your dealer has already contacted you to schedule a free fixing.

If not yet, you can visit the dealer yourself.

Experts will check the pedal and the serial number to see whether it’s among the affected. You can send a sensor picture if you live far from dealers.

Vibrations In Key Areas

Also, among the most common issues with the 2021 Polari Ranger 1000 has to do with the front differential.

Vibrations on this component can come from the twisted or phased-out driveshaft. It can cause the separation of the pinion bearing, destroying the pinion seal.

Mostly, vibrations are only noticeable when the vehicle is in four-wheel-drive mode. But the driveshaft could still cause issues since it feels the load is only under 4WD.

Try replacing the carrier bearings. If you still experience the issue, it might be to balance or replace the driveshaft.

Conclusion

Polaris Ranger makes excellent machines. They are reasonably fast and agile and low on fuel consumption, but they are not without challenges.

Keeping these machines on the road can prove quite challenging. The experience varies from user to user.

You should be glad if you haven’t experienced any of the mentioned issues.