Those sacred few Fisker Ocean owners continue to discover new ways they’re getting worked over. The latest? The now-bankrupt EV maker is only providing the parts for recalls free of charge. Owners will need to pay the labor costs.
Fisker officials just revealed the company will not be paying for all recall repairs while in bankruptcy.
Fisker Motors, the second attempt by Danish designer Henrik Fisker to create an auto company, just finalized its bankruptcy plants late last month. Fisker Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June but has been negotiating with creditors and a group of owners to develop a plan that would satisfy all involved.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also expressed interest in ensuring Ocean owners get the assistance needed to ensure the vehicles are safe — and there lies the latest problem.
Some free help
Currently there are five open recalls on the Fisker Ocean, the all-electric SUV that represents the company’s only product. The company recent revealed that it will cover the costs of over-the-air repairs at no cost to the customer.
Fisker will cover the costs of parts for recalls, but not the labor for completing the repair.
However, not all of the current recalls are software related. Some include door handles that stick or a loss of power. While the latter may be resolved with an OTA, the former definitely will not. Nor will be the replacement of a cabin electric water pump.
Not everything’s free
The parts for the repairs will be available by the end of this month, according to the company’s website. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll be free.
“By the end of September 2024, we will send you an email with a list of authorized service providers,” the company’s latest update reads. “This list will include locations where you can bring your vehicle to have the recall issues addressed.
“For the software updates delivered over the air, there will be no cost to you as the owner of the vehicle. These updates are part of our commitment to ensuring the ongoing safety and performance of your Fisker Ocean.
Fisker didn’t even own an assembly plant. It contracted production of the Ocean to Magna Steyr in Austria.
Paying up
“Regarding the recalls that require physical inspections and potential repairs, Fisker will provide the necessary parts (including the labor) at no cost to you,” the company notes.
However, due to Fisker’s current financial situation under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Fisker is only able to cover the cost of the parts required to address these issues.”
It continues, “Please note that the labor costs associated with the inspection and repair process will need to be covered by you, the vehicle owner.”
More Fisker Stories
- Fisker Talks with Nissan Collapse; Bankruptcy Looms
- You Could Buy Henrik Fisker’s House for Less than his Car Company
- Consumer Reports Reviews Calls Fisker Ocean “Inexcusable”
Final resolution
The new plan, which was finalized last month in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, allows the company to liquidate some assets to remain in operation to help existing owners with some recalls and other repairs.
Fisker executives will oversee the operations while the company winds down. This ensures owners get the help they need with vehicles. However, they must also submit a Chapter 11 plan by Oct. 9 to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Horan.
This result came after a group of creditors pushed to move the Chapter 11 to a Chapter 7 filing after the company sold its remaining vehicles for $46 million. CVI Investments argued there was no business left to reorganize and was using too much cash — leaving too little for creditors.
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