NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Failure to Open Door in 2023 Fisker Ocean (PE24-010)
Opened April 1, 2024 · Fisker Group Inc
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE24-010) on April 1, 2024 into failure to open door in 2023 Fisker Ocean. The investigation is closed on August 26, 2024 and led to recall 24V466000.
PE24-010 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE24-010 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | April 1, 2024 |
| Status | Closed August 26, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2023 Fisker Ocean |
| Component | Latches/Locks/Linkages > Doors > Latch |
| Manufacturer | Fisker Group Inc |
| Resulting recall | 24V466000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Fisker Ocean?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On April 1, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24010 to investigate instances of failure to open the door in model year (MY) 2023 Fisker Ocean vehicles manufactured by Fisker Group Inc.
Some complaints allege the inability to open the door from either the interior or exterior door handle, resulting in the need to use another door to egress.
The investigation revealed that all four exterior door handles are subject to sticking in the extended/unlocked position, which may result in the inability to unlatch the door from either the interior or exterior door handle.
The root cause is a dimensional interference between the exterior door handle chassis pocket and door handle, causing friction during handle deployment and retraction.
The inability to open and egress from the occupant's adjacent door presents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.
On June 27, 2024, Fisker filed recall 24V-466 for certain MY 2023 Fisker Ocean vehicles.
The recall remedy includes an inspection procedure for all four doors and provides replacement of the outer door handle if a "Not Okay" result is found.
In view of the recall action being taken by Fisker, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation.
The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 24V466000 as the result of this investigation: 2023-2024 Fisker Ocean Body Exterior Recall (24V466).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Fisker | Ocean |
What are Fisker Ocean owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 884 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2023-2024 Fisker Ocean Autohold Brake System Software Recall (24V865)
- 2023-2024 Fisker Ocean Software and Programming Recall (24V623)
- 2023-2024 Fisker Ocean Electrical Management System Recall (24V499)
- 2023-2024 Fisker Ocean Body Exterior Recall (24V466)
- 2023 Fisker Ocean Electrical Management System Software Recall (24V404)
- 2023 Fisker Ocean Instrument Cluster Recall (24V405)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.