Consumer Reports' Fisker Karma is back after technicians found a problem with the vehicle's wiring harness/battery and replaced it.
Two days after the Fisker Karma purchased by Consumer Reports died during initial testing, the luxury extended-range electric vehicle is back and the magazine said it is operating fine.
Last week, the magazine reported that a battery light on the instrument panel went on during a calibration run with just 180 miles on the odometer. After stopping the car, it locked itself in park. The dealer collected the car on a flatbed and returned it two days later.
Fisker spokesman Russell Datz told TheDetroitBureau.com in an email that the issue was tracked to a “high-voltage isolation fault” in the wiring harness/battery pack unit. The company replaced the wiring harness/battery pack unit under warranty.
“Basically, the Karma did exactly what it was supposed to,” Datz said. “On board diagnostics detected a fault and prevented the car from being driven to prevent damage to other components until it could be serviced.”
In a story posted on its website, CR reported that the dealer’s repair invoice says the problem was “duplicated repeatedly.” The invoice said a problem was found in the battery and inverter cable and both were replaced.
The magazine said that the dealer’s service department kept them apprised of the status of the car and were courteous throughout the process.
The Karma is an electric car that operates on battery power for up to about 35 miles. When the car’s battery power is exhausted, a gasoline engine provides additional driving range for longer trips.
Click here to read the original story on CR’s problems with the Karma.
Click here to read TheDetroitBureau.com’s first drive of the Karma.