Makes›Fisker›Karma›2012

2012 Fisker Karma

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
KARMA
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid
MPG (best)
20 combined · 20 city / 21 hwy
Length
196.9 in
Curb weight
5,300 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Few owner complaints4 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 240 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Fisker Karma is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 124-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,300 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (20 city / 21 highway), 8% worse than the 2012 subcompact car average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,100 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
KARMA196.9 in78 in52.4 in124.4 in66.5 / 66.9 in5,300 lb47/53

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Karma Plug-in Hybrid2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (A1)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 21 / 20-8%$4,100169
21.7 MPG2012 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Fisker Karma.

Similar 2012 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Fisker Karma (this car)20 MPGNot rated5
2012 Honda Accord27 MPGNot rated8
2012 Chevrolet Impala22 MPGNot rated3
2012 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated2
2012 Chevrolet Malibu26 MPGNot rated2
2012 Volkswagen Passat34 MPGNot rated11
2012 Buick Regal28 MPGNot rated7

Recalls (5)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V181000 · 472 vehicles

Problem
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, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the District of Columbia. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 · Jan 6, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V004000 · 811 vehicles

Problem
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 crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 5.84.17.001.01.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan · Aug 22, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V413000 · 1,377 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A direct short may ignite the fan housing, shroud and surrounding components, causing a vehicle fire.
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, option 2, 6am - 7pm (pst) Monday through Friday.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · May 30, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V241000 · 19 vehicles

Problem
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 EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALL 11V-598.
Risk
IF COOLANT ENTERS THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FISKER CONSUMER AFFAIRS AT 1-855-575-7577, OPTION 2, 6AM - 7PM (PST) MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Dec 27, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V598000 · 239 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
IF COOLANT ENTERS THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Fisker Karma is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

4Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
10,059 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train1
Unknown Or Other1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/02: 115/11: 119/01: 123/11: 115/0215/1119/0123/11max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Fisker Karma buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 2 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Power Train — 1 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 10,059 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Fisker Karma. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Fisker. How we calculate this →