- 20% of Fisker Oceans cannot complete OTA updates due to low battery health or bricking risks, requiring technician intervention for the 2.2 software recall.
- Fisker’s 2024 bankruptcy dismantled its service network, causing recall and repair chaos.
- Ed Rios is approved by Dundon to provide service in Southern California, but without the FAST diagnostic tool, thousands of owners still lack access to service.
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Owning a Fisker Ocean should have been a dream. An electric SUV combining sustainability and advanced features. But for thousands of customers, it has turned into a nightmare of recalls, bricked vehicles, unavailable parts, service solutions, and unanswered cries for help.
With a competitive starting price of $37,499, a range of up to 350 miles, and a solar panel roof, the Fisker Ocean initially turned heads as a promising choice for drivers.
But for many owners, the excitement quickly turned to frustration. After Fisker’s bankruptcy in mid-2024, as its service network was starting to form and address customers requests, it quickly fell apart, leaving critical service gaps and customers with irreparable and sometimes bricked vehicles.
Thousands of owners have since struggled with safety recalls, bricked vehicles, and the lack of reliable repair options, raising serious concerns about long-term ownership.
In a recent conversation with Electrify News, Ed Rios, Fisker’s former Director of Service Operations, Customer Experiences, and Parts Operations, shed light on the company’s struggles and shared the untold stories of the technicians and customers who faced these challenges head-on.
The Fallout of Bankruptcy
When Fisker filed for bankruptcy in June 2024, the ripple effects were immediate and deeply felt. The court-approved plan in October attempted to reorganize operations but left the service infrastructure in shambles.
Rios reflected on the chaos during the bankruptcy period. “Many customers contacted me as there was a lack of technical system knowledge, OTA capabilities, parts, and a physical service network,” he explained. “They are having a very challenging time finding qualified service, and when they do, they are being taken advantage of.”
This lack of support has left owners vulnerable.
Rios added, “A lot of them are being overcharged for the recalls and repairs. This should not happen to anyone, especially when these issues stem from a lack of proper support post-bankruptcy.”
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Fisker Ocean Owners Struggle with Recalls and Repairs Amid Service Gaps
The core issues for Fisker Ocean owners revolve around unaddressed recalls, bricked vehicles caused by over-the-air (OTA) software updates, and basic maintenance challenges. Rios, who developed and launched Fisker’s Cloud Based Service Network, noted that 20% of vehicles were affected by bricking issues during OTA updates.
He detailed the repair process under these constraints.
“The advantage to having all vehicles on the cloud is you can perform triage via OTA Remote Diagnosis. In every case, we would remote dial into the vehicle, pull the last data recording, and see what caused the vehicle to be bricked,” Rios continued. “This efficiently allowed us to prepare the tech for a mobile service visit and equip them with the correct parts and technical support. 90% of the time we could repair cars via OTA remote guided support without dispatching a technician.”
Despite these efforts, limited resources and leadership priorities often hindered effective repairs.
“During bankruptcy, the biggest challenge was going against the CRO’s directive, as they had instructed us to stop working on customers’ cars,” Rios shared, “and prioritize new vehicle readiness for delivering 3100 cars to American Lease.”
Nevertheless, his team of 14 technicians went above and beyond to help owners nationwide, even as the company’s resources dwindled. “I prioritized every available technician, arranged repairs directly with customers, and managed to un-brick many vehicles despite enormous constraints.”
One example of these challenges involved a customer in Philadelphia who received their vehicle in February 2024 but could not drive it because of a faulty key fob. By October, the problem was still unresolved.
“I met with the CRO, obtained approval, worked with American Lease to get the part, and personally called the customer to facilitate the repair. The technician finished the job on October 11, the same day he was terminated,” Rios told us.
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Fisker Ocean Owners Urged to File Complaints Over Safety and Service Failures
If you own a Fisker Ocean and are dealing with safety issues or a bricked vehicle, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. Rios strongly recommends taking action by filing formal complaints with key organizations.
Start with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to document safety concerns.
“Filing complaints with these institutions allows them to know the severity of the Recall issues, SW issues, and Service issues,” Rios explained. “It also gives them the insight they need to realize that the impromptu service network that was set-up by the CRO does not meet EV training or Fisker Ocean training requirements.”
Additionally, reach out to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and your financing institution, such as Chase Bank, to escalate your concerns.
According to Rios, “These complaints not only document the severity of the situation but also pressure authorities and stakeholders to address systemic issues within Fisker’s reorganized service network.”
A Glimpse of Hope for Fisker Ocean Owners
Despite the grim realities, Rios is committed to rebuilding trust and support for Fisker Ocean owners. Approved as a Fisker Service Provider, he plans to launch operations in Los Angeles and San Diego, focusing on remote-guided diagnostics and cost-effective repairs.
However, the inability to get set-up as a service provider has led Rios to consider withdrawing his initial request to become a Service Provider. “They are playing games, picking and choosing who they will allow FAST Diagnostic Tool Access. In the meantime there is only 1 FAST tool in all of SoCal leaving customers with no options for repairs.”
His ultimate goal is clear, “I want every customer to be able to enjoy their Fisker Ocean. They should have the peace of mind that their vehicle can be repaired and parts are available.”
Rios believes service is the backbone of any successful automotive brand. “Service is the only one that can restore the customer brand and product experience. This should be the goal of every service organization,” he stated.
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Lessons for the Future
Fisker’s challenges reveal a simple truth in the car industry. No matter how impressive a vehicle may be, its worth crumbles without reliable customer support to back it up.
An advanced EV like the Fisker Ocean, with its impressive range and innovative features, means little to owners who face unresolved recalls, bricked systems, or a lack of access to repairs. A great product is only as valuable as the service network standing behind it. Because without that foundation, even the best cars risk becoming expensive, undrivable burdens.
As Rios explains, “You can have a good product and bad customer service and be okay. You can have a bad product and good customer service and be okay. But you cannot have a bad product and bad customer service because you will end up in a really bad situation. However, if you have an exceptional product and exceptional customer service, you will be a winner.”
Fisker Ocean owners deserve better.
As Fisker moves forward, its success, and customer satisfaction, hinges on learning from these challenges and making real changes.
In the meantime, owners need to stand up for their rights and push NHTSA, DOJ, FOA and American Lease to deliver the support they were promised.
This is a dynamic story, in the interest of Fisker Ocean owners, we will continue to report any updates as they unfold.
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