- Fisker might be in bankruptcy proceedings, but the Ocean is still subject to active recalls.
- After initially saying it wouldn’t cover warranty coverage, and then seemingly agreeing to do so, now it’s back to saying it won’t.
- It turns out that the NHTSA is fully aware of the issue and said it will ensure owners won’t have to pay for the recalls.
The rollercoaster that must be Fisker Ocean ownership just never seems to end. The brand went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last month and then told owners that they’d need to pay for recall labor. Two weeks ago it appeared that Fisker was going back on that demand and willing to foot the bill. Now, an update to its FAQ page says that indeed owners must cover labor costs.
Carscoops initially noted that Fisker had removed its demand for customers to cover labor on September 17. We documented the original page with its language and then what was the current page at the time with the following line: “Regarding the recalls that require physical inspections and potential repairs, Fisker will provide the necessary parts (including the labor) at no cost to you.”
Read: Fisker Avoids Chapter 7 Liquidation, EV Owners Will Keep Getting Support
Fisker didn’t return our request for comment and we might understand why now. As of September 26, the FAQ page is updated again, and here’s the new language present:
“For the two recalls that require physical inspection and repair related to the outer door handles and electric water pumps, Fisker will provide the necessary parts and diagnostic tools at no cost to you, but as of now, the customer will be responsible for the labor costs incurred to complete the repair(s).
“Through the bankruptcy process, Fisker was able to fund the purchase of service parts while funding for labor costs is not currently available. It was a priority to make service parts available to avoid delaying these two safety recalls. Fisker is diligently working to secure funding for these labor costs and will update you as and when appropriate.”
Interestingly, Fisker also includes a list of the applicable labor hours for each recall replacement service task. The electric water pump takes 0.7 hours, the door handle check takes 0.1, and the door handle replacements vary between 0.5 and 0.7 hours. Labor rates vary wildly across the nation, but often hover between $100 and $200 depending on location.
That said, the federal government requires automakers to pay for recalls including parts and labor. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told InsideEVs that it “is aware of Fisker’s statement and is working to ensure vehicle owners receive recall remedies without charge, as required by federal law.”