2023 Fisker Ocean Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a cluster of software- and electronics-related problems: the vehicle losing motive power or refusing to start, false warning messages about the charge port and driver-assist systems, and braking that feels inconsistent or weaker than expected. Complaints tend to appear early in ownership, many under 10,000 miles, and numerous owners mention that recall remedies were unavailable for extended periods. A recurring theme is that dealers declined service or that the manufacturer was difficult to reach.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Loss of motive power or vehicle will not start

   • 175 complaints (20%)
   • median 5,133 mi at 1.8 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $617 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle losing power while driving at highway or around-town speeds, sometimes with several warning lights flashing at once. Others report the vehicle failing to start, failing to shift into gear, or becoming inoperable after an over-the-air update, including cases where the 12-volt battery drained. According to complaints, some vehicles restarted after a delay while others did not, and several owners say recall remedies were not yet available or that the manufacturer could not be reached. Reported across a wide mileage range, from nearly new vehicles to those past 30,000 miles, with many occurring under 10,000 miles.

   Recall 24V499000Recall 24V4040004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether both the BMS and motor/vehicle control unit software recalls were completed and whether any 12-volt battery or water pump-related repairs were done. Confirm the vehicle starts, shifts into gear, and takes a charge reliably on a test drive, and check for stored service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The braking system failure and the radar not detected messages were displayed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11648927, filed 2025-03, 7,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V499000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that unknown warning lights had flashed on each time. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60. The VIN was not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #11610441, filed 2024-08, 60 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal feel, weak or inconsistent braking

   • 256 complaints (29%)
   • median 3,900 mi at 1.5 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe the brake pedal feeling soft, loose, or pushing back against the driver's foot, along with shuddering, vibration, or abnormal noises when braking. Some owners report longer stopping distances or the vehicle failing to slow as expected, and a number connect the behavior to a regeneration or software message on the display. Owners say they were often told a software update was needed, and some note the behavior began or persisted after an update. Reported at very low mileage, often within the first few thousand miles, and sometimes shortly after a software update.

   Recall 24V623000Recall 24V865000Recall 24V4050003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the brake pedal for softness, vibration, or noise at low speed and over bumps, and ask whether the regenerative braking and brake software recalls were applied. Check that the brake, park, and ABS warning lights display correctly when the vehicle is started.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to operate as needed when the vehicle drove over a bump in the roadway. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200.”

   NHTSA complaint #11588381, filed 2024-05, 200 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that the VIN was included NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V404000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH downhill and depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, the vehicle skidded, lunged forward, and the vehicle then stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11602897, filed 2024-07, 150 miles
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   Warning messages and driver-assist faults

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report recurring messages such as radar or front camera faults, driver-assist features unavailable, and forward collision warnings appearing when nothing is in the path. Some describe the instrument panel becoming inoperable or showing incorrect or missing warnings, and a few report the vehicle braking or shifting into park on its own during a stop. Complaints also mention lane departure and blind spot alerts activating intermittently, often alongside other electrical messages. Mostly reported in the first several thousand miles, frequently after software updates.

   Recall 24V405000Recall 24V4040003 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, check for persistent radar, camera, or driver-assist warnings and confirm the instrument panel displays warnings correctly. Ask whether the latest over-the-air software updates and any instrument cluster recall work were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the ADAS warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the message Radar Fault - Some Features Limited or Unavailable was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11600909, filed 2024-07, 1,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, warning lights displaying incorrect warnings were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V405000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the braking system disengaged, causing the vehicle to move forward. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11597563, filed 2024-06, 150 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Doors, locks and key fob problems

   • 266 complaints (30%)
   • median 5,300 mi at 1.6 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $490 (median of 24 quotes)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe doors failing to unlock or open, both from the key fob and manually, and in some cases occupants being unable to exit the vehicle. Owners also report unintended locking and unlocking, doors opening or closing on their own, and the key fob not being recognized even after battery replacement. Several complaints reference a recall for sticking exterior door handles. Reported across the mileage range, including vehicles with only a few thousand miles.

   Recall 24V4660002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test every door from inside and out, including with the key fob and keypad, and ask whether the exterior door handle recall was performed. Check that the key fob is reliably recognized before and after locking the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and the Low Battery Power message was displayed. The contact attempted to exit the vehicle but was unable to unlock the door with the key fob or manually. The contact's husband was able to open the driver's side door from outside the vehicle. A day later the vehicle was able to restart and taken to the residence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11598044, filed 2024-07, 2,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was pumped, the wheel was turned to the left, and the vehicle came to a stop. On another occasion while the vehicle was on and running, the contact attempted to exit the driver's side door, but the door failed to open as intended. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11611404, filed 2024-08, 12,200 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and gear selection faults

   • 113 complaints (13%)
   • median 2,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $617 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle shifting out of the selected gear unexpectedly, locking in park, or displaying gear shift error messages. Some report the vehicle rolling backward while in drive, or refusing to shift into drive or reverse until restarted. Complaints note that some vehicles could not be diagnosed or repaired, and a recall describes the possibility that the vehicle may not hold the selected gear. Mostly reported under 10,000 miles, with some cases at delivery mileage.

   Recall 24V8650002 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, shift through drive, reverse and park repeatedly and confirm the gear indicator matches the selected gear. Ask whether the transmission software recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated that while stationary at a stop sign, the vehicle shifted from neutral to park unintendedly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11605220, filed 2024-07, 8,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the infotainment system screen displayed that the vehicle was rebooting. The contact stated that the automatic emergency braking system, the regenerative braking system, and braking system were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle rebooted again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11599247, filed 2024-07, 4,800 miles

Buying note. Ask for a written record of completed recall work, since several of the recalls involve software updates that a buyer cannot verify by inspection. If recall remedies are still outstanding, confirm that parts or software are available and that a service provider will still perform the work before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.