Fisker Resolves Federal Safety Investigation Into Rollaway Risk

Image Credits: Fisker

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it has closed a preliminary investigation into Fisker over complaints that its all-electric Ocean SUV rolls away unexpectedly. The U.S. safety regulator opened an investigation in February after receiving four complaints – one of which resulted in an injury – over the failure of the vehicles to shift into park.

Table of Contents

Background on the Investigation

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) was responsible for conducting the probe. The agency received complaints from Fisker customers who reported that their all-electric SUVs would roll away unexpectedly, even when they had shifted into park. In some cases, this led to injuries or near-misses.

Fisker’s Response and Recall

In response to the investigation, Fisker issued a recall of 7,745 of its all-electric SUVs. The company provided a software update that addressed the issue by providing additional robustness to prevent unintended vehicle movement via two major changes.

According to NHTSA, the software upgrade was released last month and has been successfully implemented in affected vehicles. The agency stated that the recall and software update have resolved the problem of rollaway risks associated with Fisker’s all-electric SUVs.

Remaining Probe into Emergency Braking Issues

While the investigation into rollaway risks has been closed, NHTSA still has one remaining probe focused on complaints that Fisker vehicles have problems with inadvertent emergency braking. In 2024, federal regulators opened four investigations into Fisker vehicles that included complaints of sudden loss of braking performance, multiple claims of inadvertent automatic emergency braking, rollaway risks, and problems opening doors to the vehicle.

Investigations into Fisker Vehicles

In recent months, NHTSA has opened several investigations into Fisker vehicles. Some of the key issues being investigated include:

Sudden loss of braking performance: In some cases, Fisker vehicles have reportedly experienced sudden loss of braking performance, which can increase the risk of accidents.
Inadvertent automatic emergency braking: Multiple complaints have been received about Fisker vehicles engaging in inadvertent automatic emergency braking, which can lead to unintended consequences such as collisions or injuries.
Rollaway risks: As mentioned earlier, some Fisker customers have reported that their all-electric SUVs will roll away unexpectedly, even when they have shifted into park.
Problems opening doors: Some Fisker owners have complained about difficulty opening the doors to their vehicles, which can be a safety concern in emergency situations.

Timeline of Events

Here is a brief timeline of events related to the investigation:

February 2024: NHTSA opens an investigation into rollaway risks associated with Fisker’s all-electric SUVs.
March 2024: Fisker issues a recall of 7,745 of its all-electric SUVs and provides a software update that addresses the issue of unintended vehicle movement.
November 2024: NHTSA announces that it has closed the investigation into rollaway risks associated with Fisker’s all-electric SUVs.

Conclusion

The closure of the investigation into rollaway risks associated with Fisker’s all-electric SUVs is a positive development for the company and its customers. However, the remaining probe into emergency braking issues highlights the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the safety of vehicles on the road. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it is essential that manufacturers prioritize the development of safe and reliable vehicles.