smart Fortwo Complaints (2009)

111 consumer complaints on file.

#10891495July 28, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10875516June 21, 2016
POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10870101May 20, 2016
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10860443April 19, 2016
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808393December 4, 2015
POWER TRAIN
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!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10790017November 12, 2015
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10783535October 19, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10764708September 17, 2015
WHEELS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10745791August 3, 2015
SUSPENSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10724032June 8, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10705509April 14, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, WHEELS, POWER TRAIN, TIRES
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. I ALMOST WAS STRUCK BY THE SEMI DUE TO THE SUDDEN DECREASE OF SPEED BUT THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. ONCE STOPPED, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR SHUT OFF. PUT MY CAR IN PARK TO TRY TO START MY CAR AGAIN, NOTHING. MY ENGINE WILL REV BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. WILL FIND OUT WHAT THAT IS TOMORROW HOPEFULLY. CAR WAS BRAND NEW WHEN PURCHASED AND BOUGHT THE CAR 5YRS AND 1 MONTH AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10694916March 17, 2015
ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10673110January 16, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10670499January 6, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAN BLOWER MOTOR WILL NOT WORK TO MOVE HEAT TO WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST IN WINTER. I CAN NOT SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10670497January 6, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10654214November 11, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10640838October 2, 2014
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10619397August 6, 2014
WHEELS, TIRES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10595802June 3, 2014
SUSPENSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10595006May 30, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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