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Fisker KarmaModel year report

2012 Fisker Karma Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
8,530miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined (gas only), 2.0L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid RWD · 20 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Fisker Karma (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Fisker Karma. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,530 miles. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 24 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the traction battery and 17 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Car was delivered march 19th, 2012 with engine warning lights. Dealer refused to have vehicle evaluated, or inspected. Dealer did not return my call and Fisker motors did not return my calls. Car lost all power, while driving on three occasions in first 60 miles. In one instance headlights and controls turned off at approximately 60 mile per hour at night and twice around 40 mile per hour, within 1/4 mile of a stop light. Dealer has had car returned in less than 3 days and is unable to diagnose and fix problem, due to the fact that many Fisker cars do not store engine light codes. …”

NHTSA complaint #10455714, filed 2012-04, 50 miles

Fuel system: “After baseline 520 update performed by Karma automotive vehicle exhibits issues with loss of propulsion and multiple clicking noises when this occurs. Was on a major freeway and vehicle lost propulsion in the fast lane.”

NHTSA complaint #10789523, filed 2015-11, 7,000 miles

Brakes: “While driving the car, a 2012 Fisker Karma, at 35 MPH, the car shut itself off, all lights on the dash illuminated, the brakes did not work and the steering was impaired leaving basic directional control only.”

NHTSA complaint #10440815, filed 2011-12

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,000 and 10,059 miles.

50%0–1025%10–2525%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 8,530 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201120122015220192023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Fisker Karma version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Karma RWD2.0L 4-cyl · plug-in hybridsingle-speed202120 gas only—

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Fisker Karma → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 24 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 24 bulletins →

Other model years of the Fisker Karma

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201268,5305—20—Not enough data

All Fisker Karma model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Fisker Karma have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2012 Fisker Karma as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Fisker Karma is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (67% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.

Has the 2012 Fisker Karma been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Fisker Karma get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Fisker Karma (Karma, 2.0L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid) at 20 mpg combined, 20 city and 21 highway when running on gasoline in hybrid mode. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Fisker Karma reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,530 miles and the middle half falls between 7,000 and 10,059 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.