Fisker Karma owned by Consumer Reports breaks down

Like pretty much any driver, we've had our share of car trouble over the years, both with vehicles loaned to us for review by automakers and our own private rides. What we haven't experienced is being the first media outlet to plunk down over $100,000 for a luxury plug-in hybrid, only to have it konk out before we even put 200 miles on it.

That "honor" goes to Consumer Reports and their brand new Fisker Karma, which broke down during calibration tests, just a few days into CR's ownership period. After the dashboard flashed a warning, the driver stopped to see what was wrong, and then couldn't get the PHEV into gear again. Self-repairs (i.e., let's leave it alone for an hour and see what happens) didn't work and the manual was no help, so the nearby dealer sent out a flatbed truck to haul the Karma away. As CR writes:
We buy about 80 cars a year and this is the first time in memory that we have had a car that is undriveable before it has finished our check-in process.

The Karma's problems are widespread. It has been plagued by a variety of problems, including two recalls, one for a software glitch and one for battery issues, following a long delay getting the car to market. Owners commenting on the FiskerBuzz forum are also reporting various issues. Not exactly behavior that leads to a "Recommended" rating.

Source and Quick Video on broken Karma:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/f...s-breaks-down/

 

fisker, like solyndra, was also loaned over half a billion of taxpayer (or chinese, take your pick) money, and this is another dodo.

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/..._solyndra.html

no amount of lipstick can save this pig.

 

Start-up Bright Automotive will close its doors

been flooded with resumes from them as well, all these places are going belly up

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...FhR_story.html

 

Exactly why the government shouldn't get involved in the free market. If Bright Automotive's business plan can only be accomplished with government funding, they obviously didn't have a very strong plan.

Rather than hand out free money to everyone who thinks they might have a good idea, government needs to take a step back and maybe don't stick its nose in places it has no experience in.

 

Wow, and a while ago there was a thread here that mentioned that the sales goal is 10,000 units for 2012 too.

I don't think so. lol

 

Man, that sucks

 

A complicated high performance plug-in hybrid made by a tiny styling company, I don't expect it to ever run at all.

It is very good looking though, perfect garage or driveway decoration

 

Not surprising from a very overly complicated car. The Fisker plant at the old GM plant in Wilmington DE, is having a bunch of issues and some are saying the car to be made there is unlikely to ever get built.

 

 

They are a dead duck. They are not getting the 2nd portion of their 500 million dollar loan. Its a shame. Leonardo Dicaprio got the first one and Colin Powell got the 2nd.

 

Interesting, I've seen a 2-3 on the roads around southeast Michigan.

 

Saw at least 5 at a meet over here last Sunday. I don't think any broke down.

 

Whatever, like any new technology, it will have its problems.

 

Somebody better tell Justin, to return his B-day present.

 

^ That's enough to put a dent in Fisker sales alone