2012 Fisker Karma Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 20, 2023 · 6 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Karma years
Not enough data
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Fisker Karma. The most reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints, 67%), typically at around 10,059 miles. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2012 Fisker Karma problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System4 · ~10,059 mi
Fuel/propulsion System2 · ~25,616 mi
Power Train2 · ~22,141 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Exterior Lighting1 · ~50 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Unknown or Other1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System467%10,059——
Fuel/propulsion System233%25,616——
Power Train233%22,141——
Engine and Engine Cooling117%———
Exterior Lighting117%50——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic117%———
Unknown or Other117%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2015, with 2 complaints
2011: 1201112012: 1201212015: 2201522019: 1201912023: 120231

n = 6 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2012 Fisker Karma recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleMar 6, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V181000 · 472 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJan 6, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V004000 · 811 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fanAug 22, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V413000 · 1,377 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction batteryMay 30, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V241000 · 19 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short could occur possibly resulting in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction batteryDec 27, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V598000 · 239 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short could occur possibly resulting in a fire.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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

Unknown or Other · received Nov 20, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11556005

The high voltage lithium-ion battery is faulty and burns out or shorts out the battery modules.

Electrical System · received Jan 30, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11173062

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.

Fuel/propulsion System · received Nov 10, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10789523

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…

Electrical System · received Feb 4, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10681284

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…

Electrical System · received Apr 18, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10455714

Other Fisker Karma years

YearComplaintsRecalls
201265

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fisker Karma?

Owners most often report electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Fisker Karma?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2012 Fisker Karma a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Karma model years, the 2012 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.