Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Fisker Karma
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Fisker Karma has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V181000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V004000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V413000 Low Temperature Cooling Fan NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V241000 COOLANT LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V598000 COOLANT LEAK/POSSIBLE FIRE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 4 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 1 complaint
- Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 complaint
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $12,000–$20,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Fisker KARMA faces several reliability concerns, including major recalls for airbag inflators, cooling fans, and traction batteries, leading to a below-average rating. Complaints primarily involve electrical and propulsion systems.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 30,000–50,000 miles | $1,000–$2,000 | common |
| Traction battery | 40,000–60,000 miles | $5,000–$8,000 | occasional |
| Cooling fan | 50,000–70,000 miles | $400–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspection and service
- Battery coolant check
- Electrical system check
- Tire rotation and balance
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Battery coolant leaks
- Electrical system faults
- Cooling fan noises
- Propulsion system warnings
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Fisker Karma at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.