Even with the allure of electric vehicles, the ownership experience can sometimes be less than seamless. For those considering Fisker Vehicles, it’s crucial to be aware of potential issues that can detract from the driving experience. Our experience with a Fisker Ocean highlights some significant drawbacks, starting with a seemingly minor, yet persistently irritating problem: the key fob.
Key Fob Frustrations with Fisker Vehicles
Our journey with Fisker vehicles began just four months ago, and already we’ve encountered a recurring issue with the key fob. We’ve had to replace the key fob battery not once, but twice within this short ownership period. This isn’t an isolated incident; despite a software update in March 2024 intended to improve key fob performance, locking and unlocking our Fisker Ocean remains a major hassle. Often, the vehicle fails to detect the key, preventing ignition until the fob is held directly against the steering column. Adding to the inconvenience, Fisker only provided a single key fob upon purchase, and promises of valet cards or a second fob have yet to materialize. This key fob situation raises questions about the reliability of Fisker vehicles‘ basic functionalities.
Uneven Driving Dynamics in Fisker Vehicles
Beyond key fob anxieties, the driving experience of Fisker vehicles, while offering initial thrills with its quick acceleration, reveals areas needing refinement. Specifically, the regenerative braking system in our test Fisker vehicle felt jarring. In ‘high’ regenerative mode, instead of a smooth transition between deceleration and acceleration, the system feels abrupt. Unlike many EVs that carefully modulate pedal input for a seamless experience, Fisker vehicles, in their current software iteration, exhibit a more switch-like behavior. This lack of a smooth midpoint in pedal modulation detracts from the overall driving pleasure one might expect from Fisker vehicles.
Infotainment and Feature Shortcomings in Fisker Vehicles
The infotainment system within Fisker vehicles also presented a range of problems from the outset. Boot-up times were consistently slow, and once operational, the system’s performance felt sluggish and unresponsive. The TomTom-powered navigation system proved equally disappointing, plagued by low-quality maps and outdated destination information. Further compounding usability issues, adjusting the air vents is solely controlled through the touchscreen, making it difficult to direct airflow effectively. Perhaps most concerning is the absence of promised features. Adaptive cruise control and voice commands, features listed on the Fisker vehicles‘ specification sheet, were notably missing from our test vehicle. This discrepancy between promised and delivered features impacts the perceived value and functionality of Fisker vehicles.
In conclusion, while Fisker vehicles may hold appeal in the EV market, our initial experience reveals significant areas for improvement, particularly concerning key fob reliability, driving dynamics, and infotainment system functionality, as well as the delivery of promised features. Potential buyers should carefully consider these aspects when evaluating Fisker vehicles.
