Total Complaints
12 filings
FISKER KARMA · model year
2012 FISKER KARMA
12 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012FISKERKARMA carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 KARMA is electrical system with 4 filings, followed by power train (2) and fuel/propulsion system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 2012 KARMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
12
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
Recalls (5)
12V24100030/05/2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
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 COVE
11V59800027/12/2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
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 COUL
12V41300022/08/2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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.
19V18100006/03/2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, Ne
17V00400006/01/2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
Recent Complaints
20231120UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
20190130ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.
Mileage: 44,231
20190130FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.
Mileage: 44,231
20190130POWER TRAIN
THE HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IS FAULTY AND BURNS OUT OR SHORTS OUT THE BATTERY MODULES.
Mileage: 44,231
20151110FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 7,000
20150204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,059.
Mileage: 10,059
20120418ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 CONTROLS TURNED OFF AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILE PER HOUR AT NIGHT AND TWICE AROUND 40 MILE PER HOUR, WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF A STOP LIGHT. DEALER HAS HAD CAR RETURNED IN LESS THAN 3 DAYS AND IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX PROBLEM, DUE TO THE FACT THAT MANY FISKER CARS DO NOT STORE ENGINE LIGHT CODES. SOFTWARE PROBLEMS AND A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MAIN POWER SYSTEM ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS FAIL ROUTINELY, INCLUDING THE HANDSFREE PHONE AND THE AUDIO HAS LOUD POPS. THE DEALER HAS TRIED MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES OVER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT ON PRIOR DELIVERIES AND IS WAITING LIKE MANY OTHERS FOR THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY PACKS TO BE REPLACED. I DO
Mileage: 50
20120418POWER TRAIN
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 CONTROLS TURNED OFF AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILE PER HOUR AT NIGHT AND TWICE AROUND 40 MILE PER HOUR, WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF A STOP LIGHT. DEALER HAS HAD CAR RETURNED IN LESS THAN 3 DAYS AND IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX PROBLEM, DUE TO THE FACT THAT MANY FISKER CARS DO NOT STORE ENGINE LIGHT CODES. SOFTWARE PROBLEMS AND A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MAIN POWER SYSTEM ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS FAIL ROUTINELY, INCLUDING THE HANDSFREE PHONE AND THE AUDIO HAS LOUD POPS. THE DEALER HAS TRIED MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES OVER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT ON PRIOR DELIVERIES AND IS WAITING LIKE MANY OTHERS FOR THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY PACKS TO BE REPLACED. I DO
Mileage: 50
20120418EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 CONTROLS TURNED OFF AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILE PER HOUR AT NIGHT AND TWICE AROUND 40 MILE PER HOUR, WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF A STOP LIGHT. DEALER HAS HAD CAR RETURNED IN LESS THAN 3 DAYS AND IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX PROBLEM, DUE TO THE FACT THAT MANY FISKER CARS DO NOT STORE ENGINE LIGHT CODES. SOFTWARE PROBLEMS AND A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MAIN POWER SYSTEM ARE CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS FAIL ROUTINELY, INCLUDING THE HANDSFREE PHONE AND THE AUDIO HAS LOUD POPS. THE DEALER HAS TRIED MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES OVER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT ON PRIOR DELIVERIES AND IS WAITING LIKE MANY OTHERS FOR THE DEFECTIVE BATTERY PACKS TO BE REPLACED. I DO
Mileage: 50
20111220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A 2012 FISKER KARMA, AT 35 MPH, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE STEERING WAS IMPAIRED LEAVING BASIC DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ONLY. *TR
20111220ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A 2012 FISKER KARMA, AT 35 MPH, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE STEERING WAS IMPAIRED LEAVING BASIC DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ONLY. *TR
20111220SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A 2012 FISKER KARMA, AT 35 MPH, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE STEERING WAS IMPAIRED LEAVING BASIC DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ONLY. *TR
Compare 2012FISKERKARMA to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2012 FISKER KARMA have?▼
The 2012 FISKER KARMA has 12 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 FISKER KARMA?▼
Yes, the 2012 FISKER KARMA has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 FISKER KARMA?▼
The most-complained component for the 2012 FISKER KARMA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2012 FISKER KARMA safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.