Federal Safety Regulators Investigate Fisker’s Electric Vehicle Over Braking Problems
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Fisker’s first electric vehicle, the Ocean SUV, due to complaints of braking problems. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) issued a notice stating that it is probing the issue, which includes nine complaints so far, including one incident involving a crash and an unspecified injury.
Background on the Investigation
The NHTSA has identified four types of investigations that can be opened: Defect Petition, Preliminary Evaluation, Recall Query, and Engineering Analysis. The agency classified the Fisker probe as a preliminary evaluation, which typically takes eight months to complete. In contrast, defect petitions are completed in four months, recall queries take eight months, and engineering analysis probes last 18 months.
Complaints Against the Ocean SUV
Fisker’s Ocean SUV has been plagued by issues since its launch. Owners have lodged 19 complaints with NHTSA on various problems, including:
- Brake loss: Several owners reported experiencing partial loss of braking over low traction surfaces without alerting the driver.
- Gear shifter problems: Some owners encountered difficulties with the gear shifter, which made it challenging to shift gears smoothly.
- Driver door failure: One owner reported that their vehicle’s driver door failed to open from the interior.
- Hood flying up: Two instances of the vehicle’s hood suddenly flying up on the highway were also reported.
Crash Involving a Driver Injury
One complaint, submitted in November, involved a low-speed crash between two vehicles. The owner stated that their Ocean SUV vibrated and felt more plastic than elastic during braking. As a result, the car slid as if the tires seized up. Although neither driver filed a police report, the other driver has since filed an injury claim with the owner’s insurance agency.
Fisker’s Response
A Fisker spokesperson declined to comment on the investigation. The company is currently grappling with lower-than-expected demand and failing to meet internal sales goals, which TechCrunch exclusively reported earlier this month.
Deliveries and Sales Performance
In 2023, Fisker delivered approximately 4,700 SUVs worldwide. This figure falls short of the company’s expectations. The Ocean SUV began shipping in June 2023, about six months after contract manufacturing partner Magna Steyr started building the vehicles. Initially, the launch was delayed due to software issues.
Regenerative Braking Problems
The complaints also mentioned problems with regenerative braking, which allows electric vehicles to recover some of the energy lost during braking and convert it into electrical energy. This feature is crucial for extending battery life and improving overall efficiency.
Timeline of Events
- October 2023: The first complaint about brake loss was submitted to NHTSA.
- November 2023: A low-speed crash involving a driver injury occurred, which was documented in the complaint.
- December 2023: Additional complaints were submitted, including issues with regenerative braking.
Conclusion
The investigation by the NHTSA into Fisker’s Ocean SUV is a significant development for the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. The company faces stiff competition from established players and new entrants in the market. Addressing safety concerns and improving performance will be crucial to maintaining customer trust and driving sales growth.
Related Topics
- Electric vehicles
- EVs
- NHTSA
- Transportation
Additional Resources
For more information on this topic, consider the following:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website: www.nhtsa.gov
- Fisker’s official website: www.fiskerinc.com
- TechCrunch article on Fisker’s sales performance: www.techcrunch.com
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