smart Fortwo Complaints

407 consumer complaints on file.

#11586101April 30, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Faulty n83 and Electric Drive Failure occured after charging @ public charging center. No longer under warranty but currently owe 5k on Mercedes lease . Mercedes dealership recommended replacement of both @ 16k I leased the car from them used . Time when lease began 19k
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585774April 29, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated with a loud whirring noise. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air intake changeover valves had failed. The independent mechanic advised the contact that the parts needed to fix the vehicle were difficult to locate. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that about a month later, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact took the vehicle to the same independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a secondary air injection pump failure. The independent mechanic advised the contact that the parts were difficult to find. The contact found the parts, and the vehicle was repaired. The check engine warning light illuminated again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 58,299.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540919August 26, 2023
SEAT BELTS
The cable attaching the seatbelt is frayed and only being held on by a few strands of cable. My research into the problem on forums and the internet has shown that this is an issue on the drivers side seatbelt for Smart Car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535062July 28, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car won't charge over 20% due probably a faulty manufacturer part of N83 high voltage control box. This could cause very serious electrical/battery issues if the high voltage box is faulty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11532331July 14, 2023
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2015 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated while buckling the seat belt, he became aware that a metal cable through the eyelet bolted to the frame by the door jamb on the driver's side had started to fray. The contact stated that the vehicle was not driven frequently and felt that there could not be a wear and tear issue. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530259July 3, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The driver was sitting a red light when flames started emerging from the hood. The driver exited the car before the entire front of the car was engulfed in flames and ultimately destroyed. It is unclear what caused the fire but it might have been a wiring harness (or at least there was a wiring harness in the front drivers area under the hood). The car is available for inspection upon request. The safety of the drivers was at risk; he was lucky to be at a red light although he was forced to exit in the middle of a busy street. There is no problem to be reproduced but the incident was reported to Mercedes. The vehicle has not been inspected but the police and fire departments were on scene. There was no prior warning via lamps or other symptoms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520076May 2, 2023
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2009 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that on multiple occasions when the vehicle was parked and the gear shifter was shifted, the transmission would only shift into neutral. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, parts to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517032April 14, 2023
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car just shuts off while I am driving. I can tell now when it is about to shut off. I have had this problem since I purchased the car in 2016. I have taken the car to the dealership and called Mercedes Benz several times and they will not do anything. I will die because the car is getting worse and shuts off more frequently now. Can you get Mercedes Benz to help me? They told me that they don't care if I die due to a bad product they sold me. Please help. Please, I am begging you I do not want to hurt someone else due to this bad car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11501955January 16, 2023
AIR BAGS
The SRS light is on. Technician scanned vehicle and performed guided tests on drivers side seat airbag, found that HE airbag squib is faulty. This is an internal part of the airbag and airbag will need to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500754January 9, 2023
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
175 55 r15 Tge tires wires startes to unravelling and chabgibg the ahape of tge tire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497260December 13, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
The brake booster malfunctioned while I was driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11490643October 24, 2022
POWER TRAIN
2008 Smart Fortwo has a recall open for reprograming the transmission computer because of rough shifting and bucking while shifting and lugging the engine to much before down shifting. Mine is a 2008 but the VIN was not included in the recall and I am having the same problems with mine. Can mine be added to the recall?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484742September 15, 2022
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
We were driving in Greensboro NC this afternoon on the way to my husbands birthday dinner when off of Bridford? Parkway our 2008 smart car passion for two started malfunctioning all lights flashing on instrument panel & brakes quit & another motorist drove up beside us with window down screaming GET OUT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!!! We managed to stop on side of road at woods & jumped out car was on fire looked like under back tires and engine in back! We grabbed what we could save & ran. 911 was called & fire and police came. 2 Witnesses also to event we have photos & videos. Our car burned all the way down to frame! Total loss! We could have died because we couldnt see the fire behind us under car & if not for the man we may have blown up!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469708June 17, 2022
SEAT BELTS
Driver’s seatbelt broke at the tensioner as if the cable had been cut with wire cutters. My vehicle has not been involved in a wreck. Under normal driving conditions. Safety issue is if it broke this easily what would’ve happened if I had been involved in an accident? Of course I took the vehicle immediately to a repair shop and the cost to repair is $843.31. Of course the parts have to be ordered. This is a safety issue it’s a law issue you have to have a seatbelt it’s not like I can’t live without the seatbelt. All my research shows that several people have complained about the same incident happening to them I was not driving the vehicle at the time I had just stopped at a store got back in my car and the seatbelt was broken.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469109June 14, 2022
SEAT BELTS
The drivers side seatbelt connecting floor (I think it's the belt force limiter) has a cable that has broken off. This is the 2nd time this has happened to my SmartCar. It is a design flaw because the cable runs against the metal of the seat cutting thru the cable. It isn't usually noticed until it breaks off making the seatbelt complete become broken from the floor. Additionally, SmartCars including this one have a known issue where AirBags become I op (light on) due to connection issue under seat. So now I have no restraints in my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463676May 6, 2022
SEAT BELTS
The cable that connects the driver's seatbelt to the seatbelt tensioner (smart/Mercedes part number 4518600084) frayed. The car has less than 49,000 miles on it. Six of the seven strands of the cable frayed and broke, leaving just one strand connecting the driver's seatbelt to the car. I've attached photos of the tensioner as mounted in the car and removed from the car. The frayed cable is part of the tensioner (smart/Mercedes part number 4518600084). Mercedes of Portland said that the seatbelts are not covered under the warranty. I paid $252.23 to have the tensioner assembly replaced. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had been in an accident with this defective seatbelt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457487March 20, 2022
STEERING, SUSPENSION, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Since purchasing the car the power steering has been bad. The dealership where I purchased the car and Mercedes refused to fix the issue. There is electrical issues and the gas tank gauge and gas tank have been replaced 3 times. Please do not purchase a Smart Car thecmakers do not stand behind their product. I took it to Mercedes Hampton VA Auto Mall and they are so rude. I have almost died 4 times due to bot bring able to turn steering wheel.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457491March 20, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING
Since I purchased the car from Hampton Auto Mall 757 865 8000 there has been an issue with the steering, brakes, gas system, fuel gauge etc.. The dealership or Mercedes refuses to fix the problem since I purchased it in 2016. I have almost died due to steering problems and gas tank. Please get a mechanic to check the steering and for small tears in your gas tank on Smarts. The dealership I bought my car from refuses to fix issue because of lemon laws the Service Advisor told me so.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11450806February 7, 2022
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2009 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated and would not turn off. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the driver’s side air bag replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The independent mechanic had to order the parts for the repair. The dealer was contacted however, the dealer was unable to confirm when the part would be available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11448747January 25, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Three weeks after got the car from carmax check engine light went on and the after a smell of burning oil every time after driving somewhere. Cruise control failure about a month and half after getting the car, spring shocks in bad condition. Front windshield replaced looks like by the writing on the upper corner driver side (pieces of glass found on the car). Cargo cover missing and no mats.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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