This comes as the third recall after the EV startup declared bankruptcy last month.
On Friday, EV manufacturer Fisker announced that it is recalling over 12,000 Ocean vehicles due to a problem where exterior door handles may become stuck and fail to open. In a notice, the company instructed its dealers in the United States, Canada, and Europe to halt sales of the SUVs in stock and conduct inspections for the problem.
Fisker announced that 8,204 Ocean SUVs in the United States, 513 in Canada, and 3,806 in Europe are part of the recall, totalling 12,523 units.
Customers have expressed concerns on social media about problems with the key fob not consistently unlocking the vehicle and issues with opening the door.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is conducting four active investigations into various problems associated with the Ocean SUV. Besides, Fisker plans to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all four side door handles on each vehicle using a specialised force-checking tool provided by the external door handle supplier.
The company plans to replace it if the tool detects any side door handle as faulty. This approach aims to ensure that all door handles meet safety and operational standards, thereby improving the reliability and functionality of the vehicle’s entry system.
The NHTSA and Transport Canada are currently publishing these recall notices on their respective websites. Fisker aims to finalise the evaluations and repairs of the door handles promptly. The company notified its dealer partners about these recalls on June 17, 2024, and plans to inform owners by August 30, 2024.
Earlier last month, Fisker sought bankruptcy protection following significant cash depletion in efforts to increase production and deliver its Ocean SUVs. Soon after, the company issued a recall for over 18,000 vehicles in North America and Europe due to software issues and failure to meet safety standards.
Founded by renowned car designer Henrik Fisker, the start-up is the second car manufacturer he has led into bankruptcy protection. The first, Fisker Automotive, filed in 2013 due to issues from a battery failure in its Karma plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, leading to a costly recall.
