NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflators may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
This page covers 6 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Fisker Karma.
20 mpg combined
11.8 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The 2012 Fisker Karma has 6 recalls, all rated at maximum severity, with the most widespread danger being passenger-side airbag inflators that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag concern covers vehicles registered across all 50 states and applies to the passenger-side frontal airbag inflator, which can explode rather than deploy cleanly, turning the inflator housing into shrapnel directed at anyone in the front passenger seat or nearby. Because the filings cover different state registrations, this is effectively a nationwide issue for this model.
Two separate fire risks round out the recall picture. The low-temperature cooling fan can develop an internal electrical short that ignites the fan housing and surrounding components, leading to a vehicle fire. Separately, inside the high-voltage battery pack, coolant hoses secured by incorrectly positioned hose clamps can be disturbed by the battery compartment cover, causing those hoses to leak. If coolant reaches the battery compartment interior, it can trigger an electrical short and a fire there as well. The battery hose clamp issue was filed in two separate campaigns covering different production date ranges, but the physical defect and the resulting fire risk are the same in both cases.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflators may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
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What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflators at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflators may rupture during deployment after prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature changes, due to propellant breakdown.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflators at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low temperature cooling fans may have a manufacturing defect that causes an electrical short circuit, which could result in a vehicle fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both low temperature cooling fans with a single improved unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing defect in the low temperature cooling fan can cause it to short circuit.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the two affected cooling fans and replace them with one improved cooling fan at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Hose clamps in the high-voltage battery may be positioned incorrectly, allowing the battery cover to interfere with them and cause coolant to leak from the cooling hoses.
What the fix does
The high-voltage battery will be replaced with a new one at no cost at an authorized Fisker dealer.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Hose clamps in the high-voltage battery may be positioned incorrectly. The battery cover could interfere with these clamps and cause coolant to leak from the cooling hoses.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
