Feds Investigating Fisker Ocean Over Doors That Won’t Open

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary probe into the 2023 Fisker Ocean after receiving complaints about the doors. The Office of Defects Investigation received 14 complaints about doors that failed to open, with the problem reportedly related to a latch/handle failure. Some owners claim the emergency override mechanism failed, which could be dangerous under certain circumstances.

It’s worth noting this is not a full-blown investigation, as the NHTSA still has to determine whether there is a consistent problem. If the probe discovers an issue, the government organization will investigate further. A Fisker spokesperson got back to us with only the following comment: “Fisker is fully cooperating with NHTSA on this matter.” No insights to be gleaned there, then.

This isn’t the first time customers have complained about being unable to exit their vehicles. Earlier this year, an internal report revealed the Ocean suffered from a litany of woes, including problematic key fobs that trapped owners in their cars.

The Latest In A Series Of Painful Blows

This is the third probe into Fisker, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time. The automaker has had to pause Ocean production to stave off bankruptcy. Fisker has been looking for a lifeline, but no one seems to be throwing a rope.

There was reportedly a glimmer of hope from Nissan, but nothing came of it, leading the company to look elsewhere for assistance. Things are getting desperate for Fisker, which went so far as to slash Ocean pricing below $25,000, making the premium SUV even cheaper than the Chevrolet Bolt.

Related

Fisker Delivered Some Cars Without Getting Paid

Sloppy bookkeeping had Fisker scrambling to collect what it was owed.

The top-spec Extreme derivative saw a whopping $24,000 discount, bringing the price of the top-spec model down to $37,499. This hasn’t stirred up sales as intended; the opposite has happened, with half of all reservations since 2019 canceled.

Fisker Is Fighting To Stay Alive

Despite a promising start, the all-electric automaker has had to contend with build quality issues, tough competition, and declining electric vehicle sales. Customers are also reticent to splurge on big-ticket items like expensive vehicles, with increasingly more consumers looking for affordable hybrids and PHEVs.

No recalls have been issued for the Ocean as yet. Still, it’s worth noting that the Office of Defects Investigation is also investigating allegations regarding the braking system and the vehicle rolling away unintentionally. Hopefully, no more issues are waiting to be discovered.