Why is my Fisker Ocean dead after sitting, and how do I wake it up?

Short answer: When an Ocean sits for a week or more, the small 12-volt battery (the one that runs the locks, screens and computers, not the big drive battery) can run flat. Then the fob and app stop working and the car looks dead. Owners get going again by opening the front panel and hood, charging or jump-starting the 12V battery, then plugging the car in. If it keeps happening, the 12V battery itself is usually worn out. Fisker went bankrupt in 2024, so expect to use independent EV shops.

Symptom: The fob and app don't unlock the car, the screens stay dark, or a '12V battery low' message with climate and other features shut off, often after one to four weeks parked.

What to check first

1. Open the hood and charge the 12V battery. Owners use a plastic trim tool to remove the panel below the hood and a magnetized 13 mm deep socket with an extension so the bolt doesn't drop. One owner said use a charger of at least 10 amps, and it may take most of a day.
2. Expect the alarm to go off when the 12V comes back, because the hood was opened while locked.
3. Once it unlocks, plug in the charger. If it won't start charging, finish charging the 12V first.
4. If it keeps going flat, replace the 12V battery. Owners use a donor battery hooked up during the swap to keep settings.
5. Check the recalls listed below were done (many were software updates).

Likely causes

1. Worn or deeply drained 12V battery. An Ocean Forums owner's 12V battery stopped taking a charge after four weeks parked and stayed around 40%.
2. Car stops topping up while parked. Another owner watched the main battery drop about 1% a night while the car refused to accept a charge near its set limit, which they suspected was a software bug.

What it usually costs

A 12V battery and charger are inexpensive DIY items. Fisker's warranty support ended with the bankruptcy; owners now use independent EV shops and techs with Fisker's diagnostic software.

Is it safe to keep driving?

If it wakes up and drives normally after charging, yes. If you keep getting 12V warnings while driving, get it checked, because a failing 12V system can shut down the car's electronics. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Charging or replacing the 12V battery is DIY if you're comfortable with basic tools. Anything on the high-voltage side is a job for a trained EV tech.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recall 24V404 (all 2023 Ocean): motor and vehicle control software can put the car into a protection mode unexpectedly, causing loss of drive power. Fixed by an over-the-air software update.
• Recall 24V499 (2023–2024 Ocean): a communication fault with the cabin electric water pump can put the battery system into limp mode and cause loss of drive power. The pumps are replaced.
• Recall 24V466 (2023–2024 Ocean): exterior door handles can stick and not open. Handles inspected and replaced.
• If your car is part of these recalls, the repair was meant to be free. Since Fisker's bankruptcy, ask an independent EV shop or the owners' association which are still being done.
• NHTSA complaints: 304 keyword-matched complaints for Fisker Ocean 2023 (of 884 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-18; keywords: 12v, 12 v, 12-volt, 12 volt, battery, wont start, no start, dead, unlock, power).

What owners report

• In Ocean 12v dead after 4 weeks parked, an owner who left the car plugged in found it unresponsive anyway. After a jump, the 12V wouldn't charge past about 40%, so they wired in a second AGM battery. Others explained how to open the hood and charge the 12V, and later noted there's no Fisker warranty line anymore.
• On r/Fisker, an owner posted that their 12v battery died a second time, and on r/FISKER_MAINTENANCE another found the car dead after sitting two weeks.
• Ocean Forums also has a thread on swapping out the 12v battery.

My take

My advice as a former finance manager: a used Ocean can be cheap, but you're buying a car with no factory behind it. Before you sign, find the nearest independent shop that can scan it, and keep a 12V jump pack in the car.

Vehicle focus: 2023 Fisker Ocean (all trims).

Safety / mechanic note

A failing 12V system can shut down the car while driving. Verify with a mechanic.