NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Fisker Karma Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Fisker Karma has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Fisker dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Fisker Karma. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2012 Fisker Karma owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Fisker Karma, describing incidents dated December 19, 2011 to November 20, 2023.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 4 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11556005 · Filed November 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
ODI #11173062 · Filed January 30, 2019
THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.
ODI #10789523 · Filed November 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.

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Fisker Karma in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V181000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported March 6, 2019 · Karma Automotive LLC

Potentially affected: 472 vehicles

Repair completion: 48.94% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 5.84.17.001.01 · Owners notified March 25, 2019 · Vehicles built February 8, 2011 – February 15, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V004000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 6, 2017 · Karma Automotive LLC

Potentially affected: 811 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.42% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 5.84.17.001.01 · Owners notified September 8, 2017 · Vehicles built June 10, 2011 – July 4, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Low Temperature Cooling Fan

NHTSA #12V413000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported August 22, 2012 · Karma Automotive LLC

Potentially affected: 1,377 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 520120016 · Owners notified August 24, 2012

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A direct short may ignite the fan housing, shroud and surrounding components, causing a vehicle fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Fisker's recall campaign number is 520120016.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

COOLANT LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #12V241000 · Electrical System — Propulsion System — Traction Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported May 30, 2012 · Karma Automotive LLC

Potentially affected: 19 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 51611001 · Owners notified May 30, 2012

Defect description

FISKER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FISKER KARMA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 20, 2012. WITHIN THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY, CERTAIN HOSE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN POSITIONED INCORRECTLY DURING ASSEMBLY. IF POSITIONED INCORRECTLY, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH THE HOSE CLAMPS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSES. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALL 11V-598.

Safety consequence

IF COOLANT ENTERS THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL KNOWN OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO CHARGE OR DRIVE THE VEHICLE. OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED FISKER DEALER WHO WILL ARRANGE TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THEIR REPAIR FACILITY. THE REPAIR FACILITY WILL REPLACE THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY WITH A NEW PART, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FISKER CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1-855-575-7577, OPTION 2, 6AM - 7PM (PST) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

Notes

FISKER'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 51611001.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

COOLANT LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE

NHTSA #11V598000 · Electrical System — Propulsion System — Traction Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported December 27, 2011 · Karma Automotive LLC

Potentially affected: 239 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 51611001 · Owners notified January 5, 2012 · Vehicles built July 1, 2011 – November 3, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

FISKER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FISKER KARMA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 3, 2011. WITHIN THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY, CERTAIN HOSE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN POSITIONED INCORRECTLY DURING ASSEMBLY. IF POSITIONED INCORRECTLY, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH THE HOSE CLAMPS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSES.

Safety consequence

IF COOLANT ENTERS THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

FISKER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY WITH A NEW PART AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FISKER CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1-855-575-7577, OPTION 2, 6AM - 7PM (PST) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

Notes

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2012 Fisker Karma. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Fisker Karma.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11556005

Incident: November 20, 2023 · Filed: November 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

Power Train; Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11173062

Incident: December 30, 2018 · Filed: January 30, 2019

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

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10789523

Incident: November 3, 2015 · Filed: November 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.

Electrical System

ODI #10681284

Incident: January 10, 2015 · Filed: February 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.

Power Train; Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10455714

Incident: March 19, 2012 · Filed: April 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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #10440815

Incident: December 19, 2011 · Filed: December 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

Check your 2012 Fisker Karma VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Fisker Karma at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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