The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary probe into 6,813 Ocean SUVs produced by Fisker in 2023 due to complaints regarding the vehicles’ automatic emergency braking system engaging inadvertently.
According to the NHTSA, it has received eight complaints alleging that the braking system activated without any visible obstruction, leading to sudden vehicle deceleration. Three of these complaints also reported injuries.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation will conduct an evaluation to determine the extent and seriousness of the potential issue and its impact on safety. The regulator noted that it could conclude the investigation without taking further action against Fisker.
This investigation adds to Fisker’s existing challenges, as its Ocean SUVs were already under NHTSA scrutiny for three prior incidents. Additionally, recent complaints have surfaced regarding the failure of the company’s electric vehicle doors to open.
Fisker has been struggling financially, expressing doubts about its financial viability in February. The company’s stock was subsequently delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, and talks with a major automaker for a potential deal collapsed in March. In April, Fisker disclosed that it failed to make an $8.4 million interest payment on notes due in 2026 within a 30-day grace period.
As it seeks to address its financial situation, Fisker initiated insolvency proceedings for its Austrian unit on Tuesday to explore strategic options for raising funds to meet its debt obligations.
