Fisker, the electric-vehicle firm, has announced a recall of over 12,000 Ocean vehicles due to a door handle issue that can cause them to stick and fail to open. This marks the company’s third recall in just one month. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently has four open investigations into various issues related to the Ocean SUV, which was intended to compete with Tesla’s popular Model Y crossover.
The recall comes as a blow to Fisker, which was once a high-flying EV startup but recently filed for bankruptcy protection after facing financial difficulties. The company had been struggling to increase production and deliver its Ocean SUVs, leading to a rapid depletion of funds.
The NHTSA has highlighted the potential dangers of the door handle issue, stating that a door that fails to open could prevent occupants from exiting the vehicle in an emergency, thus increasing the risk of injury. As a result, Fisker will replace the faulty door handles free of charge.
In response to the recall, Fisker has instructed its dealers in the United States, Canada, and Europe to halt sales of the Ocean vehicles in their inventory and conduct inspections to identify any affected units. According to the company’s statement, a total of 8,204 Ocean SUVs in the United States, 513 in Canada, and 3,806 in Europe will be recalled, bringing the overall number to 12,523 units.
This latest recall is not the only issue that Fisker has faced recently. Customers have taken to social media platforms to complain about problems with the key fob not unlocking the car and doors failing to open. Earlier this month, Fisker also recalled over 18,000 cars in North America and Europe due to faulty software and non-compliance with safety standards.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that famed car designer Henrik Fisker has dealt with a company filing for bankruptcy protection. His previous venture, Fisker Automotive, also filed for bankruptcy in 2013 after a battery failure in its Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle resulted in a recall and significant associated costs.
Overall, this latest recall highlights the challenges faced by EV manufacturers in ensuring the safety and reliability of their vehicles. It serves as a reminder that even well-known brands can experience setbacks and that thorough testing and quality control are crucial in the automotive industry.
