Fisker Charging Ocean Owners For Recall Fixes

Fisker is dead — no, not that dead Fisker, the other one — but every Ocean crossover it managed to release before bankruptcy is still out there. Those cars are still being recalled for various issues, which has led buyers to wonder: Who’s actually going to pay for those recall repairs? Well, the verdict is now in: them. 

Henry Lloyd-Hughes Bought His First Car In An English Pub

A recent update to Fisker’s website included a recall FAQ page, where Ocean owners can look at current recalls for the car and the company’s plans to carry them out. Of the five listed recalls, three can be fixed with over-the-air updates, but the remaining two require physical work on the cars — work that owners will have to pay for, if they can ever get their hands on the parts.

The two recalls requiring physical labor are an outer door handle fix and a cabin electric water pump replacement. When talking about these recalls, Fisker states that affected Oceans “will need to be inspected by a Fisker-authorized service provider.” With the company dead, the number of authorized shops likely won’t be growing — hopefully you like the shop you’ve got, because you’re stuck with it.

The company goes on to talk about the parts involved:

6. When will the parts required for these recalls be available?

– We are working to ensure that all necessary parts are available to authorized service providers by the end of September 2024.

7. How will I know where to take my vehicle for inspection and repairs?

– By the end of September 2024, we will send you an email with a list of authorized service providers. This list will include locations where you can bring your vehicle to have the recall issues addressed.

Fisker has just two weeks to get these parts manufactured and distributed, along with its list of providers capable of doing the work. Interestingly, the company states that the “list of authorized service providers” will include shops that can handle the recall — not that the list is entirely comprised of shops that can do it. It sounds, from this wording, like some authorized service centers may not be getting the parts necessary to fix broken Oceans.

The real kicker, of course, is the cost. Recalls at most manufacturers happen free of charge for the consumer, but most manufacturers aren’t zombie companies going through Chapter 11. With Fisker, there’s no question: The buyer is on the hook.

9. Will I be charged for the recall-related inspections or repairs?

– For the software updates delivered over the air, there will be no cost to you as the owner of the vehicle. These updates are part of our commitment to ensuring the ongoing safety and performance of your Fisker Ocean.

– Regarding the recalls that require physical inspections and potential repairs, Fisker will provide the necessary parts at no cost to you. However, due to Fisker’s current financial situation under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Fisker is only able to cover the cost of the parts required to address these issues.

– Please note that the labor costs associated with the inspection and repair process will need to be covered by you, the vehicle owner. We understand that this may be an additional burden, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Our priority remains your safety and the continued reliability of your vehicle, and we are working diligently to make the process as smooth as possible despite the current challenges.

Door handles are fairly exposed on most vehicles, and it’s possible the fix there won’t be too time consuming for techs. The water pump, however, is much more concerning — jobs like this can cost four figures on other EVs, and Fisker specifying an interior water pump makes the job almost sound heater core levels of involved. Labor costs here likely won’t be so light.

If you own a Fisker Ocean, be prepared to break open your piggy bank to cover recalls — now and in the future, as the company isn’t exactly getting more flush with cash. The issue with early adopting is that sometimes you’re left with an orphaned product at the end. A very, very expensive orphaned product.