RoadVitals

2012 Fisker Karma

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Nov 20, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Mar 6, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Fisker Karma, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 24 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical436.4%
  • Fuel system218.2%
  • Powertrain (other)218.2%
  • Brakes19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Exterior lighting19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V181000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mar 6, 2019
472 units potentially affected
The 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, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: 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.
Karma Automotive LLCManufacturer number 5.84.17.001.01View on NHTSA.gov
17V004000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 6, 2017
811 units potentially affected
The 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 may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: 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 [email protected] or by calling 1-855-288-6109. Karma's number for this recall is 5.84.17.001.01.
Karma Automotive LLCManufacturer number 5.84.17.001.01View on NHTSA.gov
12V413000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Aug 22, 2012
1,377 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A direct short may ignite the fan housing, shroud and surrounding components, causing a vehicle fire.
The remedy: 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.
Karma Automotive LLCManufacturer number 520120016View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Nov 20, 2023

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

NHTSA ID
11556005
Incident
Nov 20, 2023
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 30, 2019

THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.

NHTSA ID
11173062
Incident
Dec 30, 2018
Mileage
44,231 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 10, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10789523
Incident
Nov 3, 2015
Mileage
7,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 4, 2015

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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,059.

NHTSA ID
10681284
Incident
Jan 10, 2015
Mileage
10,059 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 18, 2012

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 HOUR AT NIGHT AND TWICE AROUND 40 MILE PER HOUR, WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF A STOP LIGHT. DEALER HAS HAD CAR RETURNED IN LESS THAN 3 DAYS AND IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX PROBLEM, DUE TO THE FACT THAT MANY FISKER CARS DO NOT STORE ENGINE LIGHT CODES. SOFTWARE PROBLEMS AND A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MAIN POWER SYSTEM ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS FAIL ROUTINELY, INCLUDING THE HANDSFREE PHONE AND THE AUDIO HAS LOUD POPS. THE DEALER HAS TRIED MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES OVER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT ON PRIOR DELIVERIES AND IS WAITING LIKE MANY OTHERS FOR THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY PACKS TO BE REPLACED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS CAR SHOULD BE ON THE ROAD. FISKER HAS EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR MAY FAIL, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLACE ALL THE BATTERIES RECALLED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. MANY COMPLAINTS ON FISKER BUZZ AND OTHER SEARCHES FOR PROBLEMS WITH FISKER. I FEEL MOST ARE UNSAFE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO TAKE THEM OFF THE ROAD DUE TO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. I FEEL THE COMPANY IS UNABLE TO MAKE ETHICAL DECISIONS, BASED UPON IT'S PRODUCTION GOALS TIED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY LOAN. A GREAT DEAL HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS ABOUT HOW BAD THE QUALITY AND MULTIPLE SERIOUS FAILURES OWNERS EXPERIENCE. I FEEL THE CARS ARE UNSAFE AND NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STREETS. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE IS INJURED OR WORSE, DUE TO THE MULTIPLE DEFECTS AND QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN WAITING A MONTH FOR FISKER TO BUY BACK OR FIX THE CAR. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IS IT SAFE? *JS

NHTSA ID
10455714
Incident
Mar 19, 2012
Mileage
50 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 20, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10440815
Incident
Dec 19, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

00.01.16.0011.03

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Traction Motor and Inverter Location and Nomenclature

SB-230120052

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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

FC-370120038

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

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

SB-290120033

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

FISKER: BATTERY CHARGER CONTROL MODULE LOSES COMMUNICATION DUE TO A POTENTIAL FALSE SETTING. *PE

SB-254120032

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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

FB-A-123

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Fisker Karma by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000—
2012Viewing651—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.