Fisker Karma Recalled After Cooling Fan Fire Prompts Safety Action
Fisker Automotive is recalling around 2,400 Karma saloons to replace a faulty cooling fan unit after a fire incident in California was traced to the component.
Fisker Automotive has announced a recall of approximately 2,400 Karma plug-in hybrid saloons to address a defect in the cooling fan unit, after a fire in California was traced to overheating wiring in the component. The recall, confirmed by the company in August 2012, follows an incident in Woodside, California, where a parked Karma caught fire in front of the left front wheel, precisely where the fan is located.
Fisker said the fire was caused by a failure in the wiring of the fan, which led to overheating and a slow-burning fire. The company emphasised that the issue was isolated to the fan assembly and not related to the Karma’s lithium-ion battery pack or hybrid drivetrain. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The recall covers Karmas built before the fault was identified. Owners are being contacted to bring their vehicles to dealers for a replacement of the fan unit. Fisker stated it is working with the supplier responsible for the component and does not expect the campaign to have a material financial impact on its operations.
Previous recalls and ongoing scrutiny
This is the third recall for the Fisker Karma in less than a year. The first, in December 2011, affected the initial 240 cars delivered and was intended to fix a coolant leak that could have led to a battery fire. That issue drew attention after a Consumer Reports test car suffered a breakdown soon after purchase, raising questions about reliability.
Implications for owners and the company
For Karma owners, the recall requires a visit to a Fisker dealer for the replacement of the cooling fan. The company has stated that the repair should be straightforward and that the vehicle remains safe to drive in the meantime, though owners are advised to respond promptly to recall notices.
