2012 Fisker Karma Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Fisker Karma, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .