Troubles continue to mount for Fisker as reports surface alleging the automaker’s use of parts from prototypes and inventory vehicles to repair customer cars. The company, which has faced financial challenges and regulatory scrutiny in recent times, now confronts accusations of using unconventional methods to address customer service needs.
Citing sources within Fisker, a report from Business Insider details claims from three current employees and five former employees. These individuals assert that Fisker’s La Palma, California facility has been utilizing parts from production and pre-production vehicles to fulfill service requests for damaged customer cars.
According to one employee, between 10 and 15 percent of service requests are reportedly resolved using parts from other vehicles. “Technicians are just doing this to help customers. Customers are basically begging for parts, and the mentality is: If we have parts available, let’s use them,” the employee stated.
Another former employee described this practice as a common occurrence, indicating that supervisors were aware of and seemingly condoned the use of parts from other vehicles for repairs. “It was done so often that it became second nature and people weren’t asking if they could do it anymore — they were just doing it,” the source revealed.
In response to these allegations, Fisker has denied the claims. A spokesperson stated, “No parts have been taken off these vehicles for use in customers’ cars,” noting that parts may have been removed from engineering vehicles “for analysis or to retrofit other engineering vehicles, but never customer vehicles.”
Despite Fisker’s denial, one customer reported being informed by the automaker that their vehicle would be repaired using parts from another car. However, the customer has yet to receive their repaired vehicle after waiting for approximately 10 weeks.
Consumer Law Group’s managing attorney, Daniel Blinn, weighed in on the situation, suggesting that while uncommon, using parts from other vehicles for customer repairs can sometimes occur when automakers need to reduce wait times for customers.
As of the time of reporting, Fisker has not responded to requests for comment on these allegations. The situation underscores the challenges facing the automaker as it navigates a turbulent period marked by financial uncertainty and operational difficulties.
