Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2009 record →
FUEL LEAK OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN/CAUSE WHILE STATIONARY, FORMING A PUDDLE BENEATH THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. VEHICLE OTHERWISE IN PRISTINE CONDITION. NO ACCIDENT OR OTHER IMPACT TOOK PLACE -- NORMAL DRIVE HOME, GARAGED THE CAR, FOUND PUDDLE IN THE MORNING AND GARAGE FILLED WITH GAS FUMES, OBSERVED DRIPPING FROM UNDERSIDE OF CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE VEHICLE UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE KNOCKING SOUND AND SMOKE CONTINUED. THE HORN AND ALARM BEGAN TO SOUND. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DECLARED UN-DRIVABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
WITHIN THE SPACE OF THREE MONTHS, IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING MY SMARTCAR, MY DASH DISPLAY HAS GONE FROM SHOWING D (FOR DRIVE) TO N AND THEN FLASHING THREE VERTICAL BARS. I HAVE LOST ALL CONTROL OF DRIVING THE CAR AND LUCKILY THERE WAS SPACE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO COAST TO A STOP. WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, THE THREE BARS REMAIN. THERE IS A WAY THROUGH THE SHIFTER TO RESTART THE CAR OR AT LEAST GETTING IT INTO NEUTRAL. A SERIES OF PUMPING THE BRAKE, TURNING THE START KEY AND TRYING TO MOVE THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH THROUGH GEARS. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR WILL START. UNFORTUNATELY, THE THREE BARS OF DEATH (AS NICKNAMED ON THE SMART CAR FORUMS) CAN HAPPEN FOR ANY NUMEROUS TYPES OF FAULTS SUCH AS WEAK BATTERY TO FAULTY COMMUNICATION WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TO HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING OPERATING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. THE LIST IS LONG. THE PROBLEM IS MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
I AM ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE FEB 09 (MANF 12/08) AND ITS NOW 7 YRS OLD AND REQS NEW BATTERY. LIFTING UP FLOOR MAT TO REMOVE OLD BATTERY I NOTICED STICKY RED OILY SUBSTANCE (UNKOWN SOURCE BUT NOW SUSPECT BATTERY VAPOR CONDENSATION) AROUND TOP OF COMPARTMENT (MOSTLY WHERE HOLDDOWN BRACKET CONNECTS). REMOVING THE BATTERY THEN EXPOSED CORRODED FLOOR PAINT FROM BATTERY ACID. IN ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN UP THE MESS, I HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY VENT TUBE EXITING THE FLOOR. THIS TUBE HAD A SPIDER NEST INSIDE ABOUT 2" FROM OPENING. WD40 DID NOT PENETRATE NESTS END SEALS & HAD TO EXTRACT SPIDER & NEST MANUALLY. I CAN NOT PROVE THIS IS SAFETY RELATED BUT IM WONDERING IF OTHER VENTED BATTERY CARS HAVE THIS VENT BLOCKAGE-CORROSION PROBLEM AND ALSO IF THESE BLOCKED FUMES WERE TOXIC TO OCCUPANTS OF MY CAR? I TOOK SOME PHONE PHOTO EVIDENCE. ON UNRELATED PROBLEM. IN THE LAST 1-2 YEARS I ALSO HAVE THE PEELING TOP CLEARCOAT PROBLEM REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF 2009 RED PAINT (NON METALIC) WHICH IS PRIMARILY ON HOOD PANEL & OTHER TOP SURFACES EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUN WHICH LEAVES THE DULL RED BASE COLOR OF THE PLASTIC PANELS. (THIS IS ONLY EXHIBITED ON 2009 RED MODELS). *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT ON. NO ACCIDENT
THERE IS THIS HORRIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 SMART FORTWO RALLY RED! THE CLEARCOAT IS PEELING FOR NO REASON AND THERE IS AT LEAST 60 PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH PROOF AND STATEMENTS TO PROVE IT! MERCEDES/SMART SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OR REPLACE THESE PANELS FREE OF CHARGE! THIS RUINS THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR AND EVEN THE DEALERSHIP WONT HELP OUT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY OR IM NOT "LOYAL ENOUGH" TO THE DEALERSHIP! MY AND EVERYONE ELSE WITH A RED FORTWOS CLEAR COAT IS PEELING FOR NO EXACT REASON AT ALL, THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW WITH VERY THIN CLEAR COAT, I UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS JUST A FEW CARS BUT WE ARE TALKING MORE THAN 60 CARS AND LETS NOT FORGET THE SAFETY RECALL THAT WAS MADE IN 2008 FOR MESSED UP PAINT AS WELL! FIX THIS MERCEDES! I HONESTLY BELIEVE SOMETHING BAD CAN HAPPEN IN THIS CAR, MAKES ME FEEL VERY UNSAFE
WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND I START IT AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE GEAR INDICATOR INSTEAD OF SHOWING "R" SHOWS BLANK. I HAVE TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND TRY AGAIN. I SUCCEED IN ABOUT 3 TRIES. THERE ARE TIMES THAT WHEN I SHIFT INTO REVERSE THE GEAR INDICATOR DISPLAYS "N". THIS EPISODE HAPPENS ABOUT TWO TIMES A WEEK. MY OBSERVATION IS THAT IT DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE TIME OF DAY - WHETHER MORNING, AFTERNOON, OR EVENING; OR, COLD OR HOT DAY. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR AT RANDOM.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE CITY HIGHWAY - ROUTE 283 TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AS I TURNED MY CAR STALLED OUT COMPLETELY. TRYING TO TURN OVER IT WOULD TRY TO START BUT NEVER START. CAR HAS JUST OVER 17K MILES ON IT. THANKFULLY I WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BY SOMEONE REAR-ENDING ME BECAUSE OF THE REDUCED SPEED AND STALL. I HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE PUSH ME UP TO A PARKING LOT WHILE I WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. A MONTH LATER I AM STILL WAITING ON A REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP. THE ORIGINAL BOSCH KEEPS BLOWING FUSES AND STALLING OUT. MY MECHANIC TEST DROVE IT AND HE HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO HIS SHOP AS WELL BECAUSE OF A STALL/BLOWN FUSE BECAUSE OF THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE. THESE FUEL PUMPS SEEM TO BE ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE LOTS OF SMART CARS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AT THE MOMENT WITH THEIR BOSCH FUEL PUMPS.
THE FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM FROM SMART GOES OFF FOR NO REASON INTERMITTENTLY. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED OR COMPLIMENTARY FIXED!
SEAT BELTS FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES BECAME TWISTED WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. DESPITE ATTEMPTS BY SERVICE TECHNICIANS TO UNTWIST AND REPAIR THE MECHANISM THE SEAT BELTS REMAIN TWISTED. SEAT BELT LATCH ON DRIVER'S SIDE FINALLY FAILED AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES. BOTH SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. ALSO, THE CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE PROPERLY. IT SOMETIMES TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE.
VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS SHIFT INTO REVERSE FROM PARK.SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE FROM PARK MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. PLEASE PLEASE HELP US GET THE MANUFACTURER THE FIX THIS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
I ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AFTER ENGINE STARTS. IT HAPPENS ABOUT 2 TO 3 TIMES A YEAR. IT CAN HAPPEN AFTER AN OVERNIGHT STOP OR JUST A FEW MINUTES. IT ALWAYS WORKS AFTER A FEW MINUTES HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF TIMES THE NON ENGAGING TRANSMISSION ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL INTO A VULNERABLE POSITION IN THE STREET. I FELT LUCKY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ENGINE WILL REV AND THEN THERE IS ONLY NEUTRAL SHOWING. I HAVE NO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THANK GOODNESS WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE HAD A PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I TURN THE CAR OFF AND SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, TURN IT BACK ON AND HAVE ALL THE GEARS. I HAVE TRIED DRIVING IN THE "MANUAL" POSITION BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. LATELY IT IS MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. ONE OF THESE DAYS THIS CAR WILL GET ME SMUSHED. SMART NEEDS TO DO A MAJOR RECALL ON THIS! I AM ONLY THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR AND GOT IT WITH ONLY 18,000 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE 35,025 MILES ON IT. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND GIVES A PO803 CODE, WHICH STATES A CLUTCH SENSOR. SMART CARS CODE SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW CLUTCH! WTH!?? AND IF IT NEEDS A NEW CLUTCH THEN WHY DOES THIS ONLY OCCURR IN THE COLDER WEATHER AND NOT THE SUMMER!!??!! I AM SO PISSED! SMART CAR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR SCREWUP IN THE DESIGN OF THIS CAR! THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES!!!
DRIVING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, ABOUT A 10-15 MIN. DRIVE... FRIEND SAY HE SMELLS SMOKE, LOOK TO THE RIGHT SIDE ONTO THE MIRROR AND ITS SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK SIDE OF MY CAR. OPEN THE BACK TO LOOK AT THE ENGINE - A LOT OF SMOKE IS COMING OUT AND AS THE SMOKE IS CLEARING MY FRIEND SEES FLAMES AND WE QUICKLY AFTER GRAB A HOSE AND CALL 9-1-1. DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, FIREMEN SAID NOT TO START THE CAR CALLED AAA. FIREMEN SAID WE GOT LUCKY IT DIDN'T REACH THE GAS TANK.
THE VEHICLE FAILS INTERMITTENTLY TO SHIFT FROM BRAKE TO REVERSE OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, ALL THAT IS SEEN ON THE FRONT DASHBOARD IS A BLANK SCREEN AND THE CAR ALERT SYSTEMS LETS OUT A CONTINUOUS BEEPING DENOTING THE FAILURE OF THE SHIFT. IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES IMMEDIATE TURNING OFF OF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IN ORDER TO GET TO THE DESIRED GEAR. SELDOM THAT DOES NOT WORK, AND TURNING OFF AND WAITING 10 MINUTES SEEMS TO ALLOW GEAR SHIFTS. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN THE REVERSE TO DRIVE FAILURE AS WHEN COMING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ON A BUSY ROAD, IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS OCCURRED AFTER WARRANTY AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS A MERCEDES BENZ SOFTWARE UPGRADE MEANT TO SOLVE IT. BUT THIS IS A CHARGED SERVICE. AS A SAFETY ISSUE, I IMPLORE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A CHARGED BUT REQUIRED SAFETY RECALL. UPON VIEWING THE COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS A FEW OTHER SUFFER THE SAME DEGREE OF FAILURES. AS THE CAR IS A NICHE BRAND, THE CONSUMER BASE IS SMALLER AND YOU DO NOT HAVE AS LARGE A COMPLAINT POOL AS A HONDA ACCORD, WHICH IS FAIRLY POPULAR AND HAS A LARGE CONSUMER BASE. I HUMBLY REQUEST THE NHSTA MAKE DAIMLER AG AND MERCEDES BENZ USA RESPONSIBLE TO REPAIR THIS AND HAVE EVERY SMART ON THE ROAD'S TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE UPGRADED FREE OF COST.
AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, MY CAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL GOT RIPPED APART AND MY CAR GOT UNSTABLE TO THE POINT I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF. MY CAR WAS TOWED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S TPMS STEM VALVE HOLDER BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENS. THE QUALITY OF THE STEM HOLDERS IS BAD AND BREAKS ALL THE TIME. SMART SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND CHANGE THE PIECES THAT COULD SAVE LIVES.
THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS THE SECOND COIL SPRING TO BREAK WITHIN A ONE YEAR PERIOD. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ..UPDATED 12/02/15 *BF *CN
UPON STARTING CAR, ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. CAR SHOWS EITHER A BLANK WHERE THE GEAR (P, R, N, D) WOULD NORMALLY APPEAR, OR SHOWS 'N' WHEN SHIFTER IS IN THE 'R' POSITION. IF 'N' IS SHOWING, CAR BEGINS BEEPING AS IT WOULD IF SEATBELT WEREN'T FASTENED. SHIFTING INTO 'D' MAKES NO DIFFERENCE, CAR CAN ONLY HAVE 'N' OR 'P' SELECTED AT THIS POINT. CAR MUST BE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THEN TURNED OFF AND BACK ON (SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES) FOR THE PROBLEM TO RESOLVE.
WHERE DO I BEGIN? AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF OWNING MY SMART CAR, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I FEEL MY CAR PULL TO THE RIGHT AND START SHAKING. I PULL SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER TO FIND THE VALVE STEM FOR MY TIRE HAD DETACHED AND MY TIRE WAS NOW FLAT. NOT HAVING A SPARE, I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED TO THE REMAINING 3 TIRES IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS TO A YEAR. WHILE DRIVING THE VALVE STEM WOULD DETACH AND ALL AIR DEPLETING FROM THE TIRES. I CALLED THE SMART DEALER TO BE TOLD THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE VALVE STEMS WERE BOLTED TO THE RIM, WELL CLEARLY NOT SINCE IT HAD HAPPENED TO EVERY TIRE.I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRES WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALKALOID TIMING SENSOR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR MY HEAT AND A/C. MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT EVERY OTHER MONTH. CAR HAS STOPPED BECAUSE A WIRE CAME LOOSE IN THE BATTERY. WHEN I TURN RIGHT OR GO ON AN ONRAMP, I HEAR THIS AWFUL CLUNKING SOUND AS IF SOMETHING IS HITTING A TIN. WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS MY CAR MAKES A SQUEAKING SOUND. WHEN GOING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE...CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. MY CAR WILL READ P AND N. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF/ON MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL AS MESS WITH MY SHIFTER FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE I CAN GO ANYWHERE. THE CHERRY ON TOP HAPPENED TODAY ON MY WAY HOME TO AKRON FROM COLUMBUS. AS I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A SEMI TRUCK BEHIND ME MY CAR STARTED LOSING SPEED, EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE GAS.
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY OVER HEAT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND ABOUT 20 SECONDS LATER THE CAR LOSS ALL POWER. I ALMOST GOT HIT MY THE CAR BEHIND ME, BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MOLD DAMAGE DUE TO WATER PENETRATION FROM A CRACK IN THE ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE SEAL BETWEEN THE ROOF AND THE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.
I WAS DRIVING MY SMART CAR TO WORK AT 1:30 AM. THERE WAS SOME SNOW ON THE ROADS SO I LEFT 10 MINUTES EARLIER THAN NORMAL SO I COULD DRIVE SLOWLY. I HAD TO GO UP A HILL AND THE CAR FISHTAILED AND CRASHED INTO THE STEEL RAIL.I WAS GOING 43 MPH IN A 55 MPH ZONE WHEN THE CAR FISHTAILED. I HIT THE STEEL RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT MY HEAD AND HAVE A SORE BACK AND KNEE PLUS I MISSED A DAY OF WORK. I DO NOT BELIEVE THESE CARS ARE SAFE TO DRIVE IN WINTER DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE AND THE AIR BAGS THAT DO NOT WORK. THANKS FOR READING MY STORY.
WHILE A BODY PANEL WAS BEING REPLACED ON A 2009 SMART FORTWO PASSION, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT, UNBEKNOWNST TO THE CAR'S OWNER, THE MECHANISM SECURING THE TAILGATE IN PLACE HAD CORRODED SO BADLY THAT THE TAILGATE WAS IN DANGER OF, LITERALLY, FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. HE REATTACHED THE TAILGATE BUT WAS SINCERELY CONCERNED THAT IT HAD BEEN IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF OR--GIVEN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS, LIKE OPEN WINDOWS AND HIGHWAY SPEED--FLYING OFF AND PERHAPS HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED FILING A REPORT IN CASE THIS CORROSION PROBLEM AFFECTS OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. MORE DETAILS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE MECHANIC. TO CONTACT THE MECHANIC, SIMPLY EMAIL OR CALL THE FILER OF THIS REPORT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,724. UPDATED 11/21/14*CN UPDATED 5/7/2015 *JS
THE VALVE STEMS ARE CRACKING AND IF THEY FAIL WHILE DRIVING A DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL. THE CRACKED VALVE STEMS WERE NOTICED WHEN THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED FOR SERVICE. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. *TR
THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE SUSPENSION. THE SPRING IS CLEAN WITH NO RUST OR CORROSION AT THE BREAK POINT. THE SPRING PAINT STILL LOOKS NEW. THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A SPRING SHOULD BREAK AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS ON THE INTERNET FOR SPRINGS BREAKING, SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES, ON SMART VEHICLES. THE BREAK WAS AT THE LOWER PORTION OF THE SPRING WHICH MAY PUNCTURE A TIRE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES OR POSSIBLY JAM THE HUB AND THROWING THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL. IF THE SPRING BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT SPEED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER MAY BE AT RISK. *TR
WHEN I START MY CAR AND PUT IT IN DRIVE IT SHOWS REVERSE ON THE SCREEN OR NOTHING AT ALL. THEN MY CAR WILL BACK UP INSTEAD OF GOING FORWARD. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO ME MORE THAN ONCE. THE AIR TUBES IN THE ENGINE ALREADY HAVE CRACKS IN THEM LIKELY BECAUSE A CHEAP MATERIAL WAS USED TO PRODUCE THEM, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FIRES IN MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. IN ADDITION, SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE ALREADY WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR IS NOT EVEN THAT OLD. *TR
OK THE MOTION SENSOR STOPPED WORKING, THE RADIO WAS DRAWING 870MA WHILE CAR IS SHUT OFF SO HAD TO GET THAT DISCONNECTED. THE HEATER FAN WENT THEY REPLACED THE HEATER FAN FROM MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE OTHER TWO THINGS WAS NOT SO NOW IM WITH OUT A RADIO THAT WAS PUT IN BY THE SMART CAR PEOPLE AND WHEN MY TOP IS DOWN I HAVE NO MOTION SENSOR THE RADIO DREW SO BAD OF A DRAW THAT THE BATTERY WOULD DIE OVER NIGHT WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF YES THE CAR WAS OFF AND SO WAS THE RADIO. I AM UP SET THAT BEING IT WAS NOT MY DOINGS AT ALL OF THE MISS HAPS OF THE RADIO AND MOTION SENSOR THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO GO WITH OUT A RADIO OR SENSOR IN MY 2009 CAR IM NOW AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS AND THAT I HAVE NO RADIO IN IT OR MOTION SENSOR. I CANT AFFORD TO PAY THE DEALER SHIP OR ANYONE ELSE FOR A NEW ONE I DIDN'T BRAKE IT ITS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH AT ALL. MERCEDES WILL NOT PAY FOR IT OR FIX IT AND WANT US TO PAY OUT OF POCKET . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTROL TO ALSO FAIL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,600.
THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH NOT GOING IN REVERSE WHEN YOU PUT THE GEAR SHIFTER IN 'R' POSITION? USUALLY AFTER DRIVEN AND THE CAR IS WARMED UP. THE CAR JUST ROLLS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, AS IF THOUGH IT'S IN NEUTRAL.. WHEN GIVING GAS IT JUST REVS THE ENGINE AND NOTHING HAPPENS.. THE CAR IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AND IT CAN BE DANGEROUS PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE IF IT'S ON A SLOPE. THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL. THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH THE 08-09 YEAR. THIS SHOULD DEFIANTLY BE A RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR TAKEN THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BECAME INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,800.
I WAS DRIVING ON A SUBURBAN SIDE STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE CUT OFF AND THE CAR CAME ROLLING TO A STOP. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TRAVELING FAST AND THERE WAS ROOM TO PULL OVER BUT I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF THE INCIDENT WAS ON A HIGHWAY. A LOCAL MECHANIC COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM SO I EVENTUALLY HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH TESTED IT AND FOUND THAT THE COUPLING MOTOR (A COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION) WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS RUNNING OKAY NOW BUT THE REPAIRS COST OVER $1,000 AND IT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. *TR
I WAS DRIVING FROM WORK WHEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES AFTER THIS, THEN A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. BOTH TIMES THE PRESSURE MONITOR IN THE VALVE LET GO. THIS LEAD TO AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. VERY DANGEROUS I WROTE SMART, BUT THE NEVER RESPONDED. *TR
THE POLYCARBONATE ROOF HAS CRAZING OR SPIDERWEBBING THROUGHOUT. THIS IS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. I FEAR THE ROOF WILL FRACTURE AND FALL INTO THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED SMART ABOUT REPLACING THE ROOF. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO GIVE ME A NEW ROOF AND I WILL NEED TO PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION AND SEALANT WHICH WILL COST AROUND $500! FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON LINE THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE ROOFS IN 2008 AND SOME OF THE 2009 CARS ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE. MINE BEING ONE OF THEM. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS RIGHT FOR SMART TO ASK ME TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I HAVE TRIED TALKING WITH THEIR HEADQUARTERS ABOUT THE ISSUE STATING I FEEL IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS ROOF. THEY TOLD ME MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I MAINTAIN THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE FROM MANUFACTURE AND FEEL IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER REQUESTING TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR NUMEROUS TIMES THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP PUT IN A REQUEST FOR ME. HIS SUPERVISOR CALLED ME AND SAID EITHER ACCEPT THE OFFER OR HE WILL RESCIND THE OFFER. OBVIOUSLY SMART WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT I HAVE A CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE ROOF WHICH I BELIEVE PRESENTS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE READ OF OTHER CARS HAVING SUNROOFS THAT HAVE CRAZED AND THEN EXPLODE. SEEING HOW THE ENTIRE ROOF OF MY CAR IS CRAZED, I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT MY SAFETY AS WELL AS ANY PASSENGER IN THE CAR. SHOULD THE ROOF FRACTURE OR EXPLODE WHILE I'M DRIVING THIS WOULD MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY WINDS, THE HOOD FLEW BACK AND STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD, OBSCURING THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE HOOD, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO LATCH TO SECURE THE HOOD BACK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. UPDATED 03/01/13*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE LATCHES COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN DAMAGED BY SOMEONE OPENING THE HOOD IMPROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATCH PART WAS A POP ON ASSEMBLY THAT APPARENTLY COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE WIND ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY. UPDATED 03/07/13
ON JANUARY 1ST 2013, I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY PREOWNED 2009 SMART CAR BRABUS, I HIT A AVERAGE SIZE POT HOLE BUT DIDN'T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT MUCH BECAUSE I'M USED TO HITTING THESE POTHOLES. BUT AS I DROVE ON FOR ANOTHER MINUTE, THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. AND SLOWLY PULL OVER. COME TO FIND OUT THAT MY TIRES WERE POPPED, THE RIMS ARE BENT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WHEELS, I FOUND THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CUSHION TO WITHSTAND IMPACTS SUCH AS A DECENT SIZE POTHOLE OR BUMP. I ALSO WENT ON THE SMART CAR OF AMERICA FORUMS, OTHER SMART CAR BRABUS OWNERS ALSO IS GOING THROUGH WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH. IT IS REALLY WEIRD FOR ME ESPECIALLY I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR ONLY 130 MILES. THE SIZE OF THE TIRE(215/35R17) CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CUSHION FOR ANY TYPE OF DECENT SIZE IMPACT. *TR
AFTER GETTING HOME FROM SCHOOL, COMING IN SAYING HELLO TO THE FAMILY I WENT BACK OUT TO MY CAR TO GET MY BAG. WHEN I APPROACHED MY CAR I COULD HEAR WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE MY RADIATOR FANS STILL RUNNING DESPITE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. MY LOGIC WAS "MAYBE A GLITCH IN THE COMPUTER." SO I PROCEEDED TO SIMPLY TURN THE CAR ON AND THEN OFF TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP. NOPE, THAT DIDN'T DO THE TRICK. PUZZLED I CAME INSIDE TO INFORM MY DAD WHAT WAS GOING ON, WHILE I WAS TALKING TO MY DAD I COULD HEAR THE FACTORY ALARM GOING OFF, THEN IT STARTED HONKING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE RUNNING. WHEN I APPROACHED MY CAR TO SEE IF THE THERE WAS A CHANCE THAT I LEFT SOMETHING ON. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, I SAW SMOKE COMING UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE CONSOLE, THEN SPARKS, THEN FIRE!!!! I RAN AND GRABBED THE HOSE TO PUT IT OUT BEFORE IT GOT WORSE AND POSSIBLY LOSING THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE BATTERY OUT TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. THE CARPET NEAR THE PEDDLES ARE SINGLED FROM THE FIRE AND THE FUSE BOX IS EXPOSED AND MOST OF THE PLASTIC HOUSING HAS MELTED AWAY. SADLY MY CAR IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY SO SMART WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. SO NOW I AM MAKING SOME CALLS TO SEE WHAT MY NEXT OPTIONS ARE. I'VE CALLED SMART CUSTOMER CARE AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. NOT SURE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN, THE ONLY UPGRADE I'VE DONE ON MY SMART IS JUST UPGRADING THE HORN, BUT THAT WAS WHEN I FIRST GOT IT. I'LL POST PICTURES LATER. NEEDLESS TO SAY I'M GLAD THIS HAPPENED AFTER I PARKED THE CAR AT MY HO
MY SMART IS NOT GOING INTO REVERSE GEAR. THIS BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY OR PARALLEL PARKING ON A BUSY STREET. OTHER DRIVERS BECOME IMPATIENT ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE CARS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS BLOCKED BECAUSE OF THE SMART UNABLE TO REVERSE. SMART PROVIDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM BUT IT STILL PERSISTS. I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH SMART CARS AND THEY BOTH HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO GOOGLE SEARCHED "SMART CAR REVERSE" AND WHAT POPS UP IS GEAR, PROBLEM AND GEAR PROBLEM. THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY SMART OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
FROM REVIEWING THE SMARTUSA WEBSITE AND OTHER FORUMS ONLINE I HAVE SEEN EXACTLY WHAT ISSUE I AM SEEING. IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS A BAD BATCH OF AC BLOWER MOTORS. SEEMS AT ONE TIME THEY WERE ON BACKORDER AS THEY WERE REPLACING UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT MY YEAR WAS ONLY 2/24K AND NOW I AM OVER 4 MONTHS OF MY WARRANTY AND WAS HOPING THAT THERE WOULD BE A WAY FOR POSSIBLE RECALL FOR THE BLOWER MOTORS AS MB AND SMART WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND I AM NOW LOOKING A 400 DOLLAR REPAIR WITH ONLY 10K MILES. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. MANY ONLINE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. MINE IS INTERMITTENTLY WORKING COMING ON GOING OFF HALF SPEED ETC. *JS
THIS SHIFTING PROBLEM OCCURRED ERRATICALLY SINCE I'VE OWNED NEW. FIRST INCIDENCE WAS WITH SELECTING REVERSE AND THEREBY LOOSING THE ABILITY TO SELECT ANY GEAR MODE (FWD OR REV). THIS ODDITY IS USUALLY RESOLVED BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF &RESTARTING BUT SOMETIMES BY SELECTING NEUTRAL & WAITING. THE NEXT PROBLEM CAME WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AT APPROX 20 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO IDLE & CAR TO COAST AS IN NEUTRAL. THE FIRST 2+ YEARS, THIS WAS RESOLVED BY LIFTING OFF THE GAS COMPLETELY & REAPPLYING. THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALWAYS WHEN ACCELERATING. NOTE: ENGINE REVS FOR BOUT 1/2 SECOND BEFORE FAILURE. MY GUESS IS, IT HAPPENS WHEN IT NEEDS TO DOWNSHIFT 2 GEARS. THEN ALSO BEGAN TO HAPPEN UNDER LOAD (UP LONG HILLS REQUIRING AUTO DOWNSHIFT) ALWAYS SOLVED BY GAS RECYCLE AND EVOLVED INTO HAVING TO RECYCLE MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT. OVER TIME,I LEARNED THAT I COULD PREVENT THIS BY DOWNSHIFTING MANUALLY & NOT WAITING FOR "AUTOSHIFT FAILURE". SOMETIME IN THE LAST YEAR, IT HAS BECOME MORE FRIGHTENING AS IT WILL NOT RECOVER BY RECYCLING THE GAS. I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATE OR MILEAGE IT FIRST HAPPENED BUT I MUST ALMOST STOP BEFORE IT REGAINS ABILITY TO SHIFT/ACCEL NORMALLY. IT IS ERRATIC BUT WAS A LONG TIME BEFORE IT REPEATED ITSELF AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. THEY ARE HAPPENING MORE RECENTLY & A COUPLE OF TIMES IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC & NOW MY WIFE REFUSES TO RIDE WITH ME. I TALKED WITH SMART REP WHEN CAR WAS NEW & HE STATED THAT "REPROGRAMING THE TRAN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO PASSION. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 19,000. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST IN REPAIR COST. THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON FEB 2009 AT ABOUT 62000 MILES/DEC 2011 - JAN 2012 THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT ANYTHING HAPPENING. I TOOK TO THE MECHANIC WHO SAID THEY PUT IT THROUGH DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND ALL WAS SUPPOSE TO BE FINE AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY LIGHT WAS ON. THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE THE CAR APART IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. THIS IS ALL VERY STRESSFUL AS IM EXPECTING AND EVERYTIME I GET IN MY CAR IM AFRAID OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT AND NOT HAVING AIRBAG. *TR
ON OR ABOUT 2 MONTHS OR APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND HAD STOPPED AT MY MOTHERS DRIVEWAY PUT THE CAR ON PARK AND LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE WHILE I HANDED SOMETHING TO MY MOTHER WHO APPROACHED THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE BACK ON DRIVE TO TAKE OFF THE ENGINE WAS NONRESPONSIVE AND READ NEUTRAL. AT WHICH POINT I WENT BACK TO PARK AND TRIED AGAIN TO PUT IT IN DRIVE TO NO AVAIL. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED IT AGAIN AND NOTHING. ABOUT THE 5TH ATTEMPT OF OFF AND ON IT FINALLY WENT INTO DRIVE GEAR. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVERSINCE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE JUST RANDOMLY, EVEN WHILE I HAVE BEEN AT INTERSECTIONS WHICH HAS PLACED ME AND MY PASSANGER IN GREAT DANGER. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO THE DEALER AND THE HAVE NO ANSWERS FOR ME. *TR
AFTER STARTING THE SMART FORTWO THE SRS (AIRBAG SYMBOL) STAYED LIT. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD BE COMPROMISED; DO NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM THE SMART DEALER AND PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR THIS ISSUE OCCURRED JUST AS SMART WAS TRANSFERRED FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO MERCEDES (SUMMER 2011) SO NO DEALER WAS ABLE TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 WEEKS AS THE MERCEDES DEALERS WEREN'T TOOLED TO SERVICE THEM YET. AFTER THE TRANSITION PERIOD, THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS (NEARLY $200). IF THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED TO BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I WOULD GET THAT BACK. DUE TO BUDGET CONSTRAINTS I WAS NOT ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY PERFORM THE DIAGNOSIS. NOW, BEGINNING OF 2012, MERCEDES HAS PERFORMED THE DIAGNOSIS AND CONFIRMED THAT THE ADAPTER FOR THE WIRING HARNESS HAS A RESISTANCE THAT IS TOO HIGH AND TRIGGERING THE SYSTEM STATUS LIGHT AND THE SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERATE UNLESS FIXED. THEY HAVE PERFORMED A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE FIXES. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE ESTIMATE FOR PARTS AND LABOR IS $541. I WAS INFORMED THAT SMART HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS 'UPGRADED' THE ADAPTER CHOICE, BUT DOES NOT COVER THE PART/LABOR FOR FIXING IT. MY NEW CAR, LOW MILEAGE, GARAGED, NO WRECKS OR DAMAGE OTHERWISE, IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208 (FMVSS 208) REQUIRES MINIMUM SRS STANDARDS
THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST YEAR, AT LEAST A FEW DOZEN TIMES. SOMETIMES IT'S HAPPENED AS OFTEN AS 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. I WILL START MY CAR, AND SHIFT INTO REVERSE, AND WHERE THERE WAS A P FOR PARK ON THE DISPLAY, THE DISPLAY IS NOW BLANK, AND MY CAR WILL NOT REVERSE. IT WILL ALSO NOT GO INTO DRIVE, OR DISPLAY D. I WILL TRY MOVING IT BACK AND FORWARD AND THE DISPLAY STAYS BLANK, AND MY CAR WON'T MOVE. SOMETIMES WHEN I RESTART MY CAR IT WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL, SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, AND DISPLAYING AN R ON THE DISPLAY PANEL...OTHER TIMES IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES FOR IT TO RESPOND, AND TO BE ABLE TO MOVE. I HAVE READ ON-LINE ABOUT OTHER OWNERS HAVING SEVERAL PARTS REPLACED AND SOFTWARE UPDATES, BUT ALWAYS THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO COME BACK. OTHERS CLAIM IT'S THE CLUTCH PLATE ASSEMBLY, AND THAT THOSE HAVE BEEN FIXED FOR THE 2009 MODEL...BUT I'VE STILL EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. I'VE READ ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS IN TRAFFIC, AND I'VE READ ABOUT DEALERSHIPS NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND "ANYTHING WRONG" WITH CARS IN THIS SITUATION. *TR
THE PANORAMIC ROOF ON MY PASSION MODEL HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE FROM THE REST OF THE CAR IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CORNER. IT RATTLES WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER A BUMP AND WIND NOISE FROM THE PANEL LIFTING OCCURS AT 50 MPH AND ABOVE. DUE TO THE FORCE EXERTED BY THE WIND AND THE FACT THAT THIS PANEL IS MERELY GLUED TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE -NOT BOLTED, SCREWED, OR OTHERWISE FASTENED- THE CONDITION IS WORSENING AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL I IMAGINE THE ROOF SEPARATES COMPLETELY IN A HIGH-SPEED INCIDENT. (OF COURSE I WILL HAVE THE ROOF REPAIRED BEFORE THIS OCCURS, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE'S TWO-YEAR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.) I FIND THIS POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS DEFECT TO BE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 2009 SMART FORTWO PASSION'S TRANSMISSION. WE PICKED UP OUR CAR ON SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM: I WAS DRIVING ALONG & ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR SEEMS TO THINK IT'S IN N. EVEN CHANGING THE GEARS PROMPTS AN "N" IN THE GEAR POSITION. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN & THE DREADED THREE BARS APPEARED. WE TRIED THE "TEACH-IN" FIX & IT WORKED TEMPORARILY BEFORE ACTING UP AGAIN. WE HAD OUR CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND PICKED IT UP ON SATURDAY AFTER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND A CODE APPEARED. THEY THEN RESET WHATEVER NEED TO BE RESET FOR $112.98. WE WERE ALSO OFFERED A SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR $75 ON THE BASIS THE SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE UPGRADE DOES, BUT HE DID KNOW IT WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY, WE TURNED DOWN THE UPGRADE. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES TO ABSORB THE COST OF FIXING THIS DEFECT. OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED ONLY 6 WEEKS AGO. SINCE THERE IS A METHOD TO "LIMP" TO A SAFE PLACE IN THE USER MANUAL, IT SEEMS THEY ANTICIPATED THIS PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. FROM READING BLOGS ABOUT THIS, I WAS NOT SURPRISED WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN ON SUNDAY. NOW WE ARE HAVING IT TOWED IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. I URGE MERCEDES-BENZ TO ACTIVATE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL! SOONER OR LATER THIS DEFECT IS GOING TO KICK IN ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEONE WILL BE REAR-ENDED OR EVEN KILLED. THIS IS NOT SIMPLY A NUISANCE MALFUNCTION! *TR
SIX WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY - I WAS DRIVING ALONG & ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR SEEMS TO THINK IT'S IN NEUTRAL, WON'T LET ME CHANGE GEARS - WAS ONLY ABLE TO COAST TO A SAFE AREA OFF THE HIGHWAY. ANY GEAR I SHIFTED TO KEPT COMING ACROSS THE DASH AS THE NEUTRAL POSITION. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN & THE DREADED THREE BARS APPEARED. WE TRIED THE "TEACH-IN" FIX RECOMMENDED IN THE USER MANUAL & IT WORKED TEMPORARILY BEFORE ACTING UP AGAIN. FROM THE INTERNET BLOGS I'VE READ, THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THE 2008 MODEL - AN UPGRADE WAS PROVIDED FOR A FIX. MY CAR IS A 2009 AND I FEEL SMART USA SHOULD RECALL THE 2009 MODEL DUE TO THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHEN THE CAR IS ONLY SIX WEEKS PAST WARRANTY! OUR DEALER KEEPS TRANSFERRING US TO MERCEDES-BENZ FINANCIAL SINCE THEY'RE THE ONE WHO APPROVE THE WARRANTY ISSUE. NO ONE FROM MERCEDES IS ANSWERING OR RETURNING OUR CALLS. *TR
I HAVE A 2009 SMART FOR TWO PASSION MODEL ON 7/21 I WENT TO GO INTO A PARKING PLACE AT A SMALL SHOPPING AREA AND THE BRAKES SLOWED ME DOWN BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS GOING VERY SLOW BUT COULD NOT STOP THUS I HIT THE WINDOW OF A FURNITURE STORE. IT BROKE THE WINDOW AND THE ONLY DAMAGE TO MY CAR WEE CUTS IN THE PLASTIC FROM THE FALLING GLASS AS IT TOOK THEM 2 HOURS TO PICK IT UP. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT, NO ONE WAS INJURED, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I WENT SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT PUTTING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT I AM AWARE OF. ALL I REMEMBER IS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. THERE ARE FACTORY FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR AND I HAVE MANY PICTURES. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND THEY SAID THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SMART IS SUPPOSE TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO SEE IT. I REALLY HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN THIS DEALERSHIP AND YOU CAN NEVER REACH ANYONE TO TALK TO ALL YOU GET ARE VOICEMAILS AND NO CALL BACK. FINALLY GOT THROUGH ON WED 7/28 WHEN THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT IS STILL AT SMART OF TREVOSE (PA). *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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