Is the 2023 Fisker Ocean a bad year?
881 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ocean years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2023 Fisker Ocean are in line with other Ocean years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 Ocean owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 6,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 322 (37%) | 0k–12k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 378 (43%) | 3k–9k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Collision avoidanceSTANDS OUT | 210 (24%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assistSTANDS OUT | 122 (14%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 91 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 59 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 57 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 52 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 47 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 40 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 17 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 15 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 12 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 6,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 881 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
11 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2023 Fisker Ocean: 6
The transmission may not shift into the selected gear, allowing the vehicle to roll away while in Drive or Reverse. A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The brake module software may cause an unexpected reduction in regenerative braking, decreasing the braking performance. Decreased braking performance can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
A communication failure with the cabin electric water pump can cause the high voltage battery management system (BMS) to enter limp mode, causing a loss of drive power. A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The exterior door handles can stick and fail to open. A door that fails to open can prevent occupants from exiting in an emergency, increasing the risk of injury.
The instrument panel displays the incorrect font size of the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights, and displays certain warning lights in amber instead of red. Warning lights that do not display correctly can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The Motor Control Unit (MCU) and Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) software may cause the vehicle to enter a safe state protection mode unexpectedly, causing a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Fisker: 15
Repair instructions Fisker sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Fisker Ocean. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
TSB regarding the potential for the tire sealant canister to leak
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Failure to open door
Unintended vehicle movement
Loss of braking performance
Every Fisker Ocean year
2023 · All Ocean years side by side
Questions
Is the 2023 Fisker Ocean a bad year?
881 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Ocean years. At 6,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Fisker Ocean?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (322), electrical system (378), collision avoidance (210), lane assist (122), transmission and drivetrain (91).
How many recalls does the 2023 Fisker Ocean have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 24V-865), Brakes (NHTSA 24V-623), Electrical system (NHTSA 24V-499), Body structure (NHTSA 24V-466) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.