Fisker, the electric vehicle startup, has recently announced a recall of thousands of its Ocean SUVs in North America and Europe due to issues with vehicle software. The company has stated that it will roll out an over-the-air software update to address these concerns. The recall affects a total of 11,201 vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
The recall was prompted by safety concerns associated with the Motor Control Unit and Vehicle Control Unit software. There were fears that these issues could cause the vehicle to lose motor power, potentially putting drivers and passengers at risk. In addition to the safety-related recall, Fisker also recalled 6,864 vehicles in the U.S. and 281 in Canada for compliance reasons. These vehicles were found to be non-compliant with federal vehicle safety standards related to gauges and telltale icons in the cluster display.
Fisker has assured customers that vehicles updated to OS 2.1 are not impacted by the recall. The company expects to complete the software update process by June 30, 2024. This recall comes at a challenging time for Fisker, as the company has faced several setbacks in recent months.
Earlier this year, Reuters reported that Fisker was facing financial difficulties and may not be able to continue as a going concern. The company attributed these challenges to high interest rates causing a slowdown in demand for its vehicles. In addition to financial troubles, Fisker also experienced a failed deal with a large automaker and saw its shares delisted from the New York Stock Exchange due to “abnormally low” price levels.
Furthermore, Fisker has been under investigation by the U.S. auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), since April. The NHTSA opened an investigation into complaints about the doors of the 2023 Ocean failing to open. This is the third probe into Fisker by the NHTSA, as there are ongoing investigations into issues with the vehicle’s brakes and unintended vehicle movement.
Despite these challenges, Fisker reported delivering 4,929 Ocean SUVs in 2023. The company has set ambitious targets for 2024, aiming to deliver between 20,000 and 22,000 vehicles. Fisker has already informed its dealers of the recalls and plans to notify owners by June 30.
In conclusion, Fisker’s recall of thousands of Ocean SUVs due to software issues is a significant setback for the electric vehicle startup. The safety and compliance concerns highlight the importance of rigorous testing and quality control in the development and production of electric vehicles. Fisker’s ability to address these challenges and regain customer trust will be crucial for its future success in the competitive EV market.
