VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Fisker Karma2012–2012
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Fisker Karma Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 4 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Fisker Karma — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 86 | 41 | 70 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Fisker Karma Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Karma compares — best year within each era shown.
Pre-2013
Older Karma models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Karma to buy?+
See the Buyer Score table above for a full ranking of every Karma model year.
Which Karma years have the most problems?+
The 2012 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2012 Karma leads with 2 recalls and 4 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Karma problems?+
The most frequently reported Fisker Karma issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.