Model year guide

2012 Fisker Karma

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Fisker Karma is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

2012 Fisker Karma — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Fisker Karma at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints6
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$46,461

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 Fisker Karma recalls 5

Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery NHTSA Campaign #11V598000 · 27/12/2011

FISKER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FISKER KARMA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 3, 2011. WITHIN THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY, CERTAIN HOSE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN POSITIONED INCORRECTLY DURING ASSEMBLY. IF POSITIONED INCORRECTLY, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH THE HOSE CLAMPS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSES.

Fix: FISKER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY WITH A NEW PART AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FISKER CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1-855-575-7577, OPTION 2, 6AM - 7PM (PST) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan NHTSA Campaign #12V413000 · 22/08/2012

Fisker Automotive (Fisker) is recalling certain model year 2012 Fisker Karma passenger cars manufactured from June 15, 2011, through July 9, 2012. A manufacturing defect in the low temperature cooling fan may result in a direct short.

Fix: Fisker will notify owners, and dealers will remove the two potentially affected low temperature cooling fans and replace them with one improved low temperature cooling fan, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 24, 2012. Owners may contact Fisker consumer affairs at 1-855-575-7577, op…

Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery NHTSA Campaign #12V241000 · 30/05/2012

FISKER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FISKER KARMA PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 20, 2012. WITHIN THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY, CERTAIN HOSE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN POSITIONED INCORRECTLY DURING ASSEMBLY. IF POSITIONED INCORRECTLY, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH THE HOSE CLAMPS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE COOLING HOSES. THIS RECALL IS AN E…

Fix: ALL KNOWN OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND INSTRUCTED NOT TO CHARGE OR DRIVE THE VEHICLE. OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED FISKER DEALER WHO WILL ARRANGE TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO THEIR REPAIR FACILITY. THE REPAIR FACILITY WILL REPLACE THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY WITH A NEW PART…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V181000 · 06/03/2019

Karma Automotive (Karma) is recalling certain 2012 Fisker Karma vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvan…

Fix: Karma has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Karma customer service at 1-855-288-6109. Karma's number for this recall is 5.84.17.001.01.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V004000 · 06/01/2017

Karma Automotive LLC (Karma) is recalling certain 2012 Fisker Karma vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a …

Fix: Karma will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2017. Karma Automotive Client Services Team can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 1-855-288-6109. Karma's number for this recall is 5.84.17.001.…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2012 Fisker Karma common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2012 Fisker Karma MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2012 Fisker Karma worth?

Low
$37,000
Typical price
$46,461
High
$54,500

From 9 comparable 2012 Fisker Karma listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Fisker Karma costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,500
Fuel only$20,500
Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Fisker Karma trims & engines on record

Trims
Eco-Sport
Engines
2.0L

2012 Fisker Karma vehicles on record

2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AAXCA001360 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA5CA001170 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA4CA000463 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA3CA001782 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA4CA000656 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA9CA000653 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA3CA000602 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA4CA002049 2012 Fisker Karma 2012 Fisker Karma Eco-SportYH4K14AA1CA001652

2012 Fisker Karma — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Fisker Karma have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Fisker Karma. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fisker Karma?

Across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Fisker Karma get?

The 2012 Fisker Karma has a U.S. EPA estimate of 20 mpg combined (20 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2012 Fisker Karma worth?

Comparable 2012 Fisker Karma listings run roughly $37,000–$54,500, typically around $46,461 (from 9 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.