US authorities have opened a fourth Fisker Ocean SUV inquiry over "inadvertent automatic emergency braking."
These braking accidents have prompted eight complaints to the agency's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), with three resulting in injuries.
According to TechCrunch, the vehicle has been investigated for brake loss, rollaway, and door malfunction. Despite these probes, no SUV recalls have been ordered.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received complaints about the Automatic Emergency Braking System activating suddenly without cars or impediments.
According to the agency, these braking occurrences ranged from fleeting, partial applications that reduce speed to full applications that halt the vehicle in the travel lane.
Defective Fisker Ocean Automatic Emergency Braking Under Fire
The Fisker Ocean SUV, the company's first electric car, has had several issues. TechCrunch reported unexpected power loss and braking troubles quickly after the vehicle's introduction last year in February.
Fisker stopped production after selling fewer than 10,000 units to achieve internal sales objectives.
Since the NHTSA was investigating Fisker's Ocean SUVs for three incidents, the current inquiry compounded its problems.
Last month, the safety regulator received complaints about the company's electric vehicle (EV) doors not opening.
Fisker's problems have grown in recent months.
In February, its shares were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, raising doubts about its viability. Deal discussions with a big automaker failed in March.
In April, the firm declared its $8.4 million interest payment default on 2026 notes within a 30-day grace period.
Due to financial difficulties, the firm initiated insolvency moves for its Austrian branch on Tuesday.
According to Reuters, Fisker is seeking smart ways to acquire debt-service money.
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Fisker Ocean Price Drops Amid Troubles
Fisker dropped Ocean SUV prices in March to make them more affordable, per Business Insider. The most expensive Ocean model is now $37,499, down nearly 40% from the lowest trim at $24,999.
With these cuts, the company's production interruptions and insolvency fears aim to attract buyers.
Fisker has recruited a restructuring officer to explore ways to survive bankruptcy. The corporation has over 30 lemon law complaints, as well as a lawsuit from the engineering group that created a low-cost EV and pickup vehicle.
Fisker has more NHTSA complaints than Rivian and Lucid despite being on the road for less time. As of publication, the NHTSA's database has 135 Fisker Ocean complaints.
Rivian has supplied over 80,000 EVs since 2021, with around 50 complaints, while Lucid has sent over 12,000 air vehicles, with 35 complaints.
In addition to Fisker, the NHTSA is pressuring EV manufacturer Tesla to reveal details on its December voluntary Autopilot software recall.
As reported by TechTimes, Tesla must comply with the NHTSA's requirement by July or face a $135.8 million fine.
The recall improved Tesla's driver-engagement systems, which monitor Autopilot capabilities, including lane keeping, traffic-aware cruise control, and auto steering. The NHTSA website reports at least 20 Tesla car crashes following the recall that may have used Autopilot.
Since the Autopilot recall update, the NHTSA has requested precise crash data from electric vehicle manufacturers. This material comprises vehicle video and data.
A three-year assessment determined that Tesla Autopilot safety flaws caused at least 467 collisions and 14 fatalities between January 2018 and August 2023, triggering the recall and probe.
