Recall 11V598 affects 239 2012 Fisker Karma cars for a high-voltage battery coolant leak. Repair is free at any franchised Fisker dealer.
Fisker is recalling 239 2012 Karma passenger cars under recall 11V598 because hose clamps inside the high-voltage battery were positioned incorrectly during assembly. The battery compartment cover can interfere with those clamps and cause a coolant leak; if coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short can result in a fire.
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What's wrong?
The high-voltage battery in the 2012 Fisker Karma is the large traction battery that stores energy for the electric propulsion system. That battery uses cooling hoses to move coolant through the battery compartment, which helps carry heat away from the battery while the car operates. The hoses and their clamps need clearance from the battery compartment cover.
On affected Karma cars, some hose clamps inside the high-voltage battery were positioned incorrectly during assembly. When the battery compartment cover is installed, it can press against those clamps instead of clearing them. That interference can disturb the cooling hoses and lead to a coolant leak from the battery cooling system.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver who sees fluid under the vehicle or notices coolant loss should treat it as related to the high-voltage battery area and have the recall repair handled by a Fisker service dealer.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Fisker Karma | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 239 |
Not every 2012 Fisker Karma is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Coolant in the high-voltage battery compartment can trigger an electrical short and result in a fire. If you suspect coolant intrusion, stop using the vehicle and contact the dealer before further driving. Repair will be free at any franchised Fisker dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Fisker Karma is included in this recall.
- Contact Fisker consumer affairs at 1-855-575-7577 to confirm the current repair path before arranging service.
- Ask about the free high-voltage battery replacement that fixes the hose-clamp interference and coolant-leak risk inside the battery compartment.
- Bring the owner notice if Fisker mailed one after January 5, 2012. If not, reference recall number 11V598 when you call.
- Avoid driving the car if you see coolant leaking near the battery area or smell electrical burning; call Fisker for instructions before moving it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Fisker technician replaces the high-voltage battery with a new part. The recall remedy calls for that battery replacement at no cost to the owner, but the remedy status for this page is not listed as available. Treat the dealer repair as free once available. Before arranging service, confirm the appointment path with Fisker Consumer Affairs or a Fisker service desk.
Timeline
| December 27, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V598?
Recall 11V598 covers 239 2012 Fisker Karma cars with incorrectly positioned high-voltage battery hose clamps. In NHTSA campaign 11V598, coolant entering the battery compartment is tied to electrical short and fire risk. Fisker dealers replace the high-voltage battery for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Fisker Karma is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Karma is included in recall 11V598. If it is, contact a franchised Fisker dealer or Fisker Consumer Affairs at 1-855-575-7577 to arrange the high-voltage battery replacement. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The remedy for recall 11V598 says Fisker dealers replace the high-voltage battery with a new part at no cost to the owner. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles, regardless of where the car was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a coolant leak into the high-voltage battery compartment. In NHTSA campaign 11V598, that leak is tied to an electrical short and fire risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free battery replacement before continuing regular use.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V598000 |
|---|---|
| Fisker customer service | 1-855-575-7577 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V598 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V598000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →