Fisker has issued a recall for 7,745 Ocean electric SUVs due to a transmission defect that could cause the vehicle to roll away unintentionally while in Drive or Reverse, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall centers on a software glitch that may prevent the vehicle from maintaining its selected gear. Although Fisker introduced an over-the-air update in March 2024 to address the issue, the recall suggests that not all owners have implemented the fix. Vehicle rollaways pose significant safety risks, with NHTSA data showing they contribute to approximately 144 fatalities and 1,900 injuries annually in the United States.
This latest action adds to a challenging year for Fisker, which has grappled with a series of recalls for its Ocean SUV. Previous recalls addressed issues such as sudden loss of drive power, malfunctioning warning lights, and problems with regenerative braking. Additional mechanical defects, including faulty outer door handles and a failing water pump, have further compounded the vehicle’s reliability concerns.
Fisker, which underwent bankruptcy proceedings earlier this year, initially sought to pass recall-related labor costs to owners. However, intervention by the U.S. Department of Justice prompted the automaker to revise its stance, committing to cover all costs associated with the recalls as part of its restructuring efforts.
The company has faced mounting pressure to reassure both current and prospective buyers of the Ocean’s long-term reliability amid these ongoing challenges.
This was fixed OTA via OS 2.0 back in March. Looks like NHTSA is catching up on documentation (understandable, given that Fisker went bust). Some vehicles (especially those in dealer lots, storage, fleets) may not have gotten this OTA.