Safety regulators in the U.S. have opened an investigation into Fisker’s Ocean electric vehicle (EV) following fresh complaints of a braking issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a preliminary investigation into the braking issue, marking the Ocean’s second braking issue this year.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received eight complaints alleging inadvertent deployment of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system on model year 2023 Fisker Ocean vehicles, resulting in sudden deceleration and an increased risk of a crash. Three of the complaints claimed that the issue resulted in an injury, with the severity of braking issues varying widely across them, according to the regulator’s investigation report.
The ODI report states that the braking applications range from momentary, partial application resulting in rapid loss of speed to full application, which brings the vehicle to a complete stop in the travel lane. The investigation will cover approximately 6,813 Fisker Ocean units.
Following the preliminary investigation, the NHTSA will decide whether to escalate the case to recall status. In addition to the braking issue, the struggling EV company has also been facing non-compliance with the New York Stock Exchange, as its shares dropped below $1 on average for 30 days.
According to Fisker’s 10-K filing, the company anticipates seeking protection under applicable bankruptcy laws in multiple jurisdictions within 30 days if it does not receive adequate relief from its debt holders and additional sufficient liquidity from potential providers. In conclusion, the Fisker Ocean electric vehicle is under investigation by safety regulators due to complaints of a braking issue, while the company is facing financial challenges.
The outcome of the investigation and the company’s financial struggles will determine the future of Fisker and its vehicles.