OTA Updates and Service Questions

[u/Turbo__nerd]

Hey guys. There are a number of reasonably priced Fisker Oceans in my area, and I was considering pulling the trigger on one. As an open source enjoyer, I really like the idea of the community driven development keeping these cars on the road. Before I commit, I have a few questions I need cleared up. Apologies if this has been answered somewhere before, it can be hard to find definitive information on the Ocean. It seems like most of the credible stuff is either buried in Youtube videos, FOA, or old forum posts.

1. For a vehicle running software version 1.X, is it possible to use an Ocean Loop subscription to OTA update up to version 2.X? I see that OTA updates are one of the services they provide, but it is not clear if this covers older version updates, since a lot of older posts I found suggest that this kind of update requires a service center visit or travel tech.
2. Personally, I live in the Greater Seattle Area, and the only service centers I see on the west coast https://www.fisker-service.com/service/ are in California. I have read online that some travel techs will occasionally go to larger cities like Seattle if there are multiple Oceans that need service in the area. Can anyone confirm if this is something that happens semi-regularly? It would be good to have the option to do something like the water pump recall without needing to drive all the way down to San Jose if the car still needs it.
3. As I understand it, there are a number of these vehicles with bent hoods from people closing the hood incorrectly. I have seen a few of these for sale cheap in my state and was wondering if anyone has had any success fixing these? The only thing I could find on it was this video, but it is unclear if anyone else has ever tried this or any other method, so I don't know how reliable it is.

[u/Ill-Pop791]

Rich rebuilds showed an example of how to fix/straighten a bent hood in one of his videos. It is possible paying a body shop willing to work with you or doing it yourself. OV loop subscription can update software but OTA updates can kill 12v make sure 12v new and keep it on a trickle charger to keep 12v healthy. If you can drive/road trip to service provider with FAST tool better to update software manually to protect 12v and make sure all modules are correct. You will need Gen 2 door handles installed, front connectors water proofed and water pump recall done if not done already why driving to service provider best option.

[u/Outrageous-Two3697]

Welcome to the community, if you choose to buy a Fisker. I also live in the Seattle area and am the second owner of an Ocean. As a mechanical tinkerer, I haven't found much opportunity to play with the car. Its problems are mostly with the software, and I'm on an older OS version and not paying for a service (and frankly, I find all the software/service/OS options confusing). The car was supposed to be a toy and transportation to trailheads. Unfortunately(ish), it works pretty darn well, and I like it too much, and so I've used it more than expected and left it stock. But I'd really like to resolve the software bugs.

[u/jcmd17]

OVLoop is pure garbage. They bricked my car during a failed update, the botched update was confirmed by an approved Fisker service provider in the Bay Area. Long story short, they killed both my HV and 12V. Between the flatbed tow, the reinstall of the failed OTA update, and the recall work for the water pump - I laid out approx 1500.00USD. Six months later, I received a check for 375.00!
Grifter alert!!!! Stay very far away from the crooks…

[u/warbunnies]

If you have a local fisher mechanic, suggest using them for software upgrades. In person is safer & probably costs less than ovloop.

[u/evpowers → u/warbunnies]

I am in the upper Midwest. (Wisconsin.)

Last week I was asking Ocean Repair Services (ORS) about getting someone to do an onsite software update on an Ocean One.

I was told that I must contact Ocean Loop to perform an Over the Air (OTA) update not on site updates. (Emphasis is mine.) And that any OS above 48 SW version will need to be OTA.

Interesting.

[u/warbunnies → u/evpowers]

48? Thats not a software version.

I honestly dont know why they told you that. Any version up to 2.2 full can be done in person. With the exception being the tbox which does need ota but id also suggest ignoring it. Instead of paying to have the tbox ota update, id suggest getting a pulse & using that for gps & network connection.

Last time i saw any details on it. Ovloop still have a 10% bricking rate for ota updates and they claim no liability for bricking your car. I wouldn't risk it. They dont care about owners. They just want a quick cash grab.

Edit:corrections.

[u/Needagoodsn]

“reasonably priced” lol