Fisker Initiates Recall for Over 12,500 Ocean EVs Due to Door Handle Issues

Fisker is recalling 12,523 of its Ocean electric SUVs due to a potential issue with exterior door handles that could become stuck and fail to open. The recall includes vehicles sold in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Affected vehicles will undergo inspection using a specialized tool, and replacements will be made free of charge. This is the third recall for the Ocean this month, with several open investigations by the NHTSA. Fisker, which recently filed for bankruptcy, is facing challenges with production and sales of the Ocean.

In a troubling development for electric vehicle (EV) startup Fisker, the company has announced a recall of over 12,000 units of its Ocean SUV due to a potential issue with exterior door handles. This marks the third recall for the Ocean this month, highlighting ongoing challenges for the automaker (1).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall affects 2023-2024 Model Year Fisker Ocean vehicles sold in North America, Canada, and Europe. The issue involves door handles that may become stuck due to a malfunctioning mechanism, posing a safety risk and hindering access to the vehicle (1).

Fisker anticipates that approximately 2.5% of its vehicles may be affected by this defect. To address the issue, the company plans to inspect all four outer door handles on each vehicle and utilize a specialized force checking tool provided by the supplier of the handles. If the tool detects an issue, the door handle will be promptly replaced at no cost to the owner (1).

This latest recall follows two previous recalls for the Ocean in June. The first recall involved over-the-air (OTA) software updates for 18,346 vehicles due to issues that could potentially cause the vehicle to enter a "safe state protection" mode, leading to a loss of motor power (1). The second recall addressed noncompliance with certain regulatory standards regarding gauges and icons in the cluster display (2).

The NHTSA has launched four separate investigations into various issues with the Fisker Ocean SUV (2). These investigations focus on potential issues with the vehicle's power window system, seat belts, and airbag system. As the company faces ongoing challenges with production and sales of the Ocean, the recall may further undermine investor confidence and public perception of Fisker's capabilities (1).

References:

1. Linnane, C. (2023, June 29). Bankrupt Fisker is recalling 12,523 vehicles to address outer door handle defect. MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/news/marketwatch/2023-06-29/bankrupt-fisker-is-recalling-12523-vehicles-to-address-outer-door-handle-defect
2. Mexico Business News. (2023, June 26). Fisker recalls Ocean SUVs for faulty door handles. Mexico Business News. https://mexicobusiness.news/automotive/news/fisker-recalls-ocean-suvs-faulty-door-handles