Summary
– Fisker is recalling 12,523 Ocean electric SUVs globally due to a door handle defect
– The recall includes vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and Europe
– Fisker will inspect and replace door handles if necessary for affected vehicles at no cost to owners
– This is the third recall for the Ocean this month, amidst ongoing NHTSA investigations
– Fisker filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, leading to production pauses and concerns about quality issues
Article
Fisker, the company that filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, is now facing a new issue with its Fisker Ocean electric SUVs. Over 12,500 owners of the Ocean are being affected by a recall due to exterior door handles that could stick and fail to open. The recall includes vehicles in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, with a defect rate estimated at 2.5% due to a malfunctioning mechanism. Fisker will inspect and replace the door handles if necessary, free of charge, with owner letters expected to be mailed out on August 30.
This is the third recall of the Ocean in the month alone, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) having four open investigations into issues related to the vehicles. Fisker had contracted assembly and development work to Magna, which built the Ocean at the same Austrian factory where the Jaguar I-Pace is also assembled. The production of the Ocean was initially slow to ramp up, and sales were even slower, leading to a glut of undelivered EVs. Fisker paused production in March to draw down inventory and seek additional funding, while also slashing prices by up to $24,000 with Tesla freezing Oceans out as trade-ins.
Despite these challenges, Fisker is taking steps to address the door handle issue by conducting inspections and replacing defective handles at no cost to the owners. The company has provided a contact number for owners to reference the recall number and has also directed them to contact the NHTSA for further assistance. With concerns about quality issues already present, the recall adds to the ongoing problems Fisker has faced with the Ocean, further complicating the company’s situation as it navigates its bankruptcy filing.
The recall of the Ocean due to the door handle issue adds to a series of setbacks Fisker has experienced in recent months, including slow production, sluggish sales, and quality concerns. The company’s partnership with Magna for assembly and development has not been without issues, with the NHTSA investigating multiple complaints related to the Ocean. The bankruptcy filing has further complicated matters, leaving Fisker in a challenging position as it works to address these issues and regain customer confidence.
The recall of the Ocean is another blow to Fisker as they attempt to navigate their bankruptcy filing and address ongoing quality concerns with their electric SUVs. The company’s partnership with Magna for production has not gone smoothly, with the NHTSA investigating various issues with the vehicles. Fisker’s decision to pause production and slash prices in an effort to draw down inventory has not yielded the desired results, with concerns about quality leading to freezing of trade-ins by Tesla. Despite these challenges, Fisker is taking steps to address the door handle issue and regain customer trust in the face of a complicated and uncertain future.
In conclusion, the recall of the Fisker Ocean due to door handle issues is just the latest challenge facing the company as it navigates bankruptcy and attempts to address ongoing quality concerns. With multiple investigations by the NHTSA and a history of slow production and sluggish sales, Fisker’s future remains uncertain. Despite these challenges, the company is taking steps to address the door handle problem and reassure owners of the Ocean. However, the recall is a reminder of the difficulties Fisker faces as it works to overcome its current obstacles and regain its footing in the electric vehicle market.
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