smart Fortwo Complaints
407 consumer complaints on file.
- #10925581November 12, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
THE CARS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SWITCH TO REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY ITS AN ELECTRICAL THINGS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10924637November 7, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE IN THE FLOOR BOARD. HE WAS ABOUT .5 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE AND WENT TO TURN AROUND WHEN HE NOTICED FIRE IN THE BACK/ENGINE AREA OF THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN TO A HOUSE TO CALL 911. AS THE HOME OWNER WAS CALLING THEY HEARD THE CAR EXPLODE. THE ENTIRE CAR BURNED WITH ONLY THE METAL FRAME OF THE CAR, SEATS, ETC. LEFT STANDING. IN SEPTEMBER THE CAR PASSED THE STATE INSPECTION. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I ARRIVED (WHICH WAS ONLY MINUTES FROM IT HAPPENING SINCE WE WERE ONLY .5 MILES AWAY) THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THANKFULLY MY SON WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. I'M ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE RAIN THAT HAD JUST STARTED BECAUSE IT SOAKED THE PREVIOUSLY DRY LEAVES AND TREES THAT COULD'VE BEEN ALSO ENGULFED IN THE FLAMES AND CAUSED HOME/PROPERTY DAMAGE TO OTHERS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10924311November 4, 2016STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING REAR MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10916505October 17, 2016ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE NORTH DALLAS TOLLWAY I HEARD A SUDDEN LOUD "POP" NOISE IN THE BACK OF MY CAR WHERE MY ENGINE IS LOCATED. IT WAS STARTLING ENOUGH TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND EXIT MY CAR IMMEDIATELY TO SEE WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM. UPON EXITING MY VEHICLE, I SAW COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR WHERE THE ENGINE IS LOCATED FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MYSELF FROM THE VICINITY OF THE CAR AND WITHIN MOMENTS MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. HAD I NOT PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER WHEN I DID, MY STORY WOULD NOT BE COMING DIRECTLY FROM ME BUT FROM MY OBITUARY STATING MY CAUSE OF DEATH. I CHECKED WITH MY AUTO INSURANCE TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS HAD BEEN MADE ON MY CAR BUT NONE HAD BEEN MADE. I CURIOUSLY SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD EXPERIENCE SOMETHING SIMILAR WITH THERE SMART CARS TO FRIGHTENINGLY COME UPON THE WEBSITE WWW.SMARTCARSSUCK.COM. TO MY HORROR I SAW PHOTO AFTER PHOTO OF CARS IN VARIOUS STAGES OF BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE I SEE THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS DEATH TRAP YET HAVE NOT CHOSEN TO RECALL OR CHECK INTO THE ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED AS THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DEATH OR INJURY ATTACHED TO THIS OCCURRENCE NO CHANGE WILL BE MADE. IT IS VERY TRAGIC THAT A COMPANY AS LARGE AS MERCEDES BENZ HAS BEEN A DERELICT IN HOW THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS ISSUE. I WAS ALWAYS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY STRIVED TO MAKE THE SAFEST VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. IT WILL BE MY MISSION TO INFORM PEOPLE OF THE DANGERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE PURCHASED. I WILL ALSO INFORM AS MANY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES OF THIS AND TO NOT INSURE THESE VEHICLES UNTIL IT IS RESOLVED. I CONSIDER MYSELF ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES WHO WAS ABLE TO GET OUT ALIVE AND WILL TAKE THIS SECOND CHANCE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MY MESS INTO A MESSAGE AND SAVE LIVES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10915682October 13, 2016STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10914887October 8, 2016FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON EXIT 231 B IN VIRGINIA. THE SMART HAD A GAS TANK DEFECT. I WAS NEARLY KILLED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TYSINGER MOTORS IN VIRGINIA MULTIPLE TIMES.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10914472October 7, 2016POWER TRAIN
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10911135October 3, 2016FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL GAUGE AND MPG INDICATORS ARE BOTH FAULTY. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, AND THE MPG DIGITAL INDICATOR IS HARDLY EVER TRUE. ESPECIALLY THAT THE CAR'S ACTUAL CITY MPG IS WAY OFF FROM THE WHAT IS SHOWN ON THE STICKER.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10910436September 28, 2016UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER ONLY 10.000 MILES THE ENGINE MOUNTS ALL GO BAD!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10907128September 16, 2016SEAT BELTS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO BUCKLE. NOTHING LODGED IN BUCKLE, BUT MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE BROKEN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10907130September 16, 2016AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR ON INTERSTATE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10906862September 15, 2016STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PANORAMIC ROOF IS CRAZING! IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE GLASS CAN SHATTERED ON TOP OF MY HEAD AT ANY GIVING MOMENT! WHEN IT'S RAINING OR WASHING THE CAR AT THE CARWASH THE ROOF IS ALSO LEAKING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SMART CAR PASSION MODEL! A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10904213September 6, 2016FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10903047September 1, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN MY GARAGE I TRIED TO START CAR AFTER EMPTYING WATER FROM FLOODED BATTERY BOX AND ALLOWING TO DRY FOR 4 DAYS. ELECTRICAL CABLE RUNNING THROUGH BATTERY BOX CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH, SEE PICTURE. BATTERY BOX FLOODED FROM A/C CONDENSATION TUBE DISCONNECT IN BATTERY BOX, SEE PICTURE, WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON SMARTUSA BLOG.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10899842August 31, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE, FOUND VEHICLE BATTERY BOX AND PASSENGER SEAT FLOODED DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATION TUBE JOINT LOCATED IN THE BATTERY BOX DISCONNECTED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, VEHICLE WILL NOT START, EVEN AFTER EMPTYING THE WATER FROM THE BATTERY BOX AND RECHARGING THE BATTERY. HAVE A READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE ON THE SMART BLOG. POSSIBLE ELECTRIC SHOCK ISSUE AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTS OUT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10892481August 8, 2016ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 SMART FORTWO PASSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT AND FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH AND THE FUEL IN THE TANK WAS OLD. SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED AN INSPECTION AT A COST OF $414.00 WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,037. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10891495July 28, 2016UNKNOWN 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
- #10889229July 28, 2016POWER TRAIN
TWICE, SO FAR THIS YEAR, WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, PUT IT IN PARK, SHUT IT OFF, AND RESTART THE SYSTEM. I CONSIDER THAT TO BE AN EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LATER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, I WAS TOLD THAT SMART USA WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT A SOFTWARE UPGRADE WAS NEEDED. THERE WAS NO RECALL!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10885818July 19, 2016SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
ON STEEP UPHILLS AND WHEN YOU HAVE COME TO A STOP BECAUSE OF A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE TOO WEAK TO PUSH THE TRANSMISSION FORWARD AND ACTUALLY THE CAR MY ROLL BACK AND BRAKES GO IN A LOCK MODE WHICH CREATES A BIG SAFETY ISSUE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10883432July 7, 2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,157.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0