2012 Fisker Karma problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (2) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
Safety recalls (5)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-03-06 · campaign 19V181000 · 472 vehicles
Defect: Karma Automotive (Karma) is recalling certain 2012 Fisker Karma vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, W
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Karma has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Karma customer service at 1-855-288-6109. Karma's number for this recall is 5.84.17.001.01.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-06 · campaign 17V004000 · 811 vehicles
Defect: Karma Automotive LLC (Karma) is recalling certain 2012 Fisker Karma vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Karma will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2017. Karma Automotive Client Services Team can be reached at clientservices@karmaautomotive.com or by calling 1-855-288-6109. Karma's number for this recall is 5.84.17.001.01.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2012-08-22 · campaign 12V413000 · 1,377 vehicles
Defect: Fisker Automotive (Fisker) is recalling certain model year 2012 Fisker Karma passenger cars manufactured from June 15, 2011, through July 9, 2012. A manufacturing defect in the low temperature cooling fan may result in a direct short.
Risk: A direct short may ignite the fan housing, shroud and surrounding components, causing a vehicle fire.
Fix: Fisker will notify owners, and dealers will remove the two potentially affected low temperature cooling fans and replace them with one improved low temperature cooling fan, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 24, 2012. Owners may contact Fisker consumer affairs at 1-855-575-7577, option 2, 6am - 7pm (pst) Monday through Friday.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery 2012-05-30 · campaign 12V241000 · 19 vehicles
Defect: FISKER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FISKER KARMA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 20, 2012. WITHIN THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY, CERTAIN HOSE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN POSITIONED INCORRECTLY DURING ASSEMBLY. IF POSITIONED INCORRECTLY, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH THE HOSE CLAMPS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSES. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALL 11V-598.
Risk: IF COOLANT ENTERS THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: ALL KNOWN OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO CHARGE OR DRIVE THE VEHICLE. OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED FISKER DEALER WHO WILL ARRANGE TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THEIR REPAIR FACILITY. THE REPAIR FACILITY WILL REPLACE THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY WITH A NEW PART, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FISKER CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1-855-575-7577, OPTION 2, 6AM - 7PM (PST) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery 2011-12-27 · campaign 11V598000 · 239 vehicles
Defect: FISKER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FISKER KARMA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 3, 2011. WITHIN THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY, CERTAIN HOSE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN POSITIONED INCORRECTLY DURING ASSEMBLY. IF POSITIONED INCORRECTLY, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH THE HOSE CLAMPS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSES.
Risk: IF COOLANT ENTERS THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: FISKER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY WITH A NEW PART AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FISKER CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1-855-575-7577, OPTION 2, 6AM - 7PM (PST) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
Service bulletins (24)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2016-07-01 · 00.01.16.0011.03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
traction motor and inverter location and nomenclature
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System 2012-12-19 · SB-230120052 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fisker: after an extended drive, with heater on, in stealth mode, a flashing or solid check engine light (cel) illuminates, with rough idle, when engine/generator is turned on. models 2012-2013 karma. *pe
Structure:body:door 2012-11-13 · FC-370120038 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fisker: on the end of release cable is original door pull ring which can slip off ball. a door pull rings, that fully capture and engage cable release ball, was redesign and replaces pull ring on the four doors and cable release for the trunk. models 2012-2013 karma. *pe
Electrical System:software 2012-04-18 · SB-290120033 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fisker: battery charger control module loses communication due to a potential false setting. *pe
Tires:tread/Belt 2012-04-11 · SB-254120032 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fisker: information provided on standard goodyear tires fitted to karma, with wear indicator bars, still have usable tread rubber on shoulder ribs, though appearing worn. *pe
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2012-04-05 · FB-A-123 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fisker: information regarding improved enhancement to high voltage battery, due to underperformance and decreased durability caused by a latent defect in the prismatic cells. *pe updated 5/15/12. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-11-20 · Unknown Or Other“there are 8 vehicle recalls for this car but i dont see where they have been fixed. the company is bankrupt now and the current fisker company will not fix. nhtsa campaign #: 12v413000 12v241000 11v598000 17v004000 19v181000 12v413000 12v241000 11v598000…”
2019-01-30 · Power Train · 44,231 mi“the high voltage lithium-ion battery is faulty and burns out or shorts out the battery modules.…”
2015-11-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 7,000 mi“after baseline 520 update performed by karma automotive vehicle exhibits issues with loss of propulsion and multiple clicking noises when this occurs. was on a major freeway and vehicle lost propulsion in the fast lane.…”
2015-02-04 · Electrical System · 10,059 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 fisker karma. while driving 10 mph, the engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the technician diagnosed that the battery module needed to be replaced and would not be replaced under nhtsa campaign number: 11v598000 (electrical system). the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. th…”
2012-04-18 · Power Train · 50 mi“car was delivered march 19th, 2012 with engine warning lights. dealer refused to have vehicle evaluated, or inspected. dealer did not return my call and fisker motors did not return my calls. car lost all power, while driving on three occasions in first 60 miles. in one instance headlights and controls turned off at approximately 60 mile per hou…”
2011-12-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“while driving the car, a 2012 fisker karma, at 35 mph, the car shut itself off, all lights on the dash illuminated, the brakes did not work and the steering was impaired leaving basic directional control only. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.