The ultimate plug-in hybrid, the nearly $100,000 Fisker Karma, will soon be recalled. The issue stems from, of all things, the car’s electrical system. The high-voltage battery pack that supplies power for the electric motor assist may not have been installed and positioned correctly during manufacturing. The hose clamps for the system’s cooling could be entirely too close the battery and its compartment cover which could cause an interference between the two. This has the possibility of leading to the hose breaking and leaking, spilling coolant on to the battery. An electrical short would then occur which might lead to a vehicle fire.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fisker is looking into 239 cars, all of which are 2012 model year Karmas. The ones being recalled were built from July 1 through November 3, 2011. The notification process is looking to start in January of 2012 with the remedy following soon after. Certified dealerships will inspect and if needed, completely replace the battery with a new unit at no extra cost to Karma owners.
Source: NHTSA
