Fisker Inc. Announces Recall of Over 12,000 Ocean Electric Vehicles Due to Stuck Door Handles

Fisker is recalling 12,523 Ocean SUVs due to exterior door handles that may fail to open, marking the company's third recall this month. This follows a series of quality concerns and investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fisker, once a prominent electric vehicle startup, recently filed for bankruptcy protection amid financial difficulties and production issues. The recall includes vehicles in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and Fisker is offering a free replacement for faulty door handles.

In a troubling turn of events for the struggling electric vehicle (EV) startup Fisker, the company has announced yet another recall, this time involving 12,523 units of its Ocean SUV due to exterior door handles that may fail to open. This development comes on the heels of two previous recalls, which affected over 18,000 vehicles in North America and Europe [1][2].

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a door that fails to open can pose a significant risk to occupants, potentially preventing them from exiting the vehicle safely in an emergency [1]. The recall covers Ocean SUVs in the United States, Canada, and Europe, with a total of 8,204 units in the U.S., 513 in Canada, and 3,806 in Europe affected [1][2].

Fisker's financial difficulties, which culminated in the company filing for bankruptcy protection earlier this month, have hindered its ability to deliver its Ocean SUVs and address quality concerns promptly [1]. The Ocean, intended to compete with Tesla's popular Model Y crossover, has faced a series of investigations by the NHTSA over various issues [1].

Customers have reported widespread issues with the key fob not unlocking the car and the door failing to open on social media platforms [1]. These concerns add to the growing list of challenges facing Fisker as it navigates bankruptcy proceedings and attempts to resolve outstanding quality issues.

The recall will see Fisker replace the faulty door handles free of charge [1][2]. Fisker dealers in the affected countries have been instructed to halt sales of the Ocean vehicles in their inventory and inspect them for the issue [1].

Fisker is not the first automaker founded by renowned car designer Henrik Fisker to encounter financial hardships. The designer's previous venture, Fisker Automotive, filed for bankruptcy in 2013 due to a battery failure in its Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, resulting in a significant recall and substantial associated costs [2].

References:

[1] Insurance Journal. (2024, June 28). Fisker Recalls 12,523 Ocean SUVs Due to Door Handle Issue. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2024/06/28/781715.htm
[2] Green Car Reports. (2024, June 23). Fisker Recalls Over 12,000 Ocean SUVs Because Doors Might Not Open. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1143673_fisker-recalls-over-12-000-oceans-because-doors-might-not-open