smart Fortwo Complaints

407 consumer complaints on file.

#10501295March 4, 2013
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
(1) POWER TRAIN ISSUE; NO RHYME OR REASON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. AFTER SOME TIME, I DISCOVERED THAT YOU MUST SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RE-START TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS! I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AFTER PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND TRYING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO R OR D, I HAVE TRIED PLACING THE CAR INTO N AND BACK TO EITHER R OR D WITH NO LUCK, AGAIN HAD TO RE-START WHILE BLOCKING TRAFFIC! THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A NEWER VEHICLE. (2) ELECTRICAL ISSUE; NO RHYME OR REASON THE HEATER/AC BLOWER WILL NOT POWER ON AND IS INTERMITTENT ISSUE. AFTER SOME TIME NOW, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT I HAVE TO RAP ON THE DASH BY THE GLOVE BOX TO START THE BLOWER. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BLOWER STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE OR A BIG BUMP. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE WIRING, BUT I,M UNABLE TO LOCATE IT. REALLY WORRIED ABOUT A VEHICLE FIRE OVER TIME? (3) ELECTRICAL ISSUE; I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLAMPS SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE OF THE FIXTURE NOT SEALING CORRECTLY. LUCKILY, I HAVE ONLY LOST ONE HEADLAMP AT A TIME, WHY HAS THEN NOT BEEN ADDRESSED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495192January 30, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY HEAD LIGHTS KEEP ON BURNING OUT ABOUT EVERY 6 TO 7 MONTHS ONE AT A TIME AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT 14 DOLLARS EACH TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493540January 20, 2013
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR WAS IN PARK AND I COULD NOT MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT TO DRIVE. I AM TRYING TO SELL THE CAR. SOMEONE BOUGHT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND I AM WORRIED THEY WILL WANT TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491689January 7, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491528January 5, 2013
WHEELS, TIRES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490202December 27, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO CABRIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED SOME TIME LATER. IN THE INTERIM, THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS TO THE DIODE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,500. UPDATED 2/4/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED AND THE SHIFT LEVER COULD NOT BE MOVED. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE HAS BEEN REPORTS OF ELECTRICAL BACK FLOW VIA THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WHICH CAUSED THE SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER ADVISED NOT TO CHARGE CELLULAR DEVICES OR GPS IN THE OUTLET. FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED 12/28. UPDATED 2/21/2013 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489554December 23, 2012
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLOWER MOTOR OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL COME ON AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, NO RHYME OR REASON TO IT. HEATER AND AC FUNCTION PROPERLY, BUT WITHOUT A FORCED AIR SYSTEM. THIS BECOMES A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN THE WINDOWS FOG UP DURING RAINY OR COLD WEATHER AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CLEAR THEM. I HAVE READ OF MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS ONLINE EVEN ON THE SMART CAR FORUM. SMART DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM. OUT OF 20 OR SO CARS IN MY LIFE I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN ISSUE OF THIS NATURE AND IT CAN CREATE A HAZARD DUE TO INABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489288December 19, 2012
VISIBILITY/WIPER, STRUCTURE
THE PLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIAL THAT MAKES UP THE CLEAR ROOF PANEL ON SMART FORTWO PASSION MODELS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO "CRAZE" OR HAZE OVER WITH FINE MARKS, THAT CATCH AND REFLECT THE SUN. THIS MAKES THE ROOF'S MATERIAL APPEAR TO WEAR DOWN DUE TO THE SUN'S UV LIGHT. OWNERS THAT PARK THEIR CARS IN GARAGES HAVE FEWER SYMPTOMS, AND ADVERSELY, THOSE WHO ALWAYS KEEP THEIR CAR OUTSIDE AND EXPOSED TO SUN SEE EXASPERATED ISSUES. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE MATERIAL WARPING DUE TO WEAR AND EXPERIENCING LEAKS AROUND THE EDGES. AS THE PANEL IS NOT A SUN ROOF, BUT INSTEAD THE VEHICLE'S ROOF ITSELF, THE PROBLEM IS NOT CHEAP TO REPAIR. THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN KNOWN TO "CRAZE" SINCE THE SMART FORTWO WAS UPDATED IN 2008, AND AS OF 2012 THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488696December 13, 2012
SEAT BELTS
SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM BROKE. THIS, IN COMBINATION WITH THE FACT THAT THE SEATBELT MECHANISM ITSELF FREQUENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT, SUGGESTS THAT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS FAULTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487276December 4, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
HEATER BLOWER SQUEAKS AND STOPS RUNNING CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AND DISCOMFORT. POTENTIAL DANGER DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THESE CARS IN THE USA SO PLEASE CONSIDER THIS WHEN LOOKING AT NUMBER OF REPORTED ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487367December 4, 2012
SEAT BELTS
BOTH SEAT BELTS, BUT ESPECIALLY THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, LOSE TENSION AND ARE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE. THEY CAN STILL BE FASTENED, BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRAINT. I REQUESTED A REPAIR OF AT LEAST THE PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT DURING A 11/19/12 CAR REPAIR AND THE DEALER'S REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT MANY SMART FORTWO VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. HE WAS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT. FROM READING THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SEATBELTS OF SMART VEHICLES, THIS LAST OF PROPER RESTRAINT SEEMS TO BE AN ON-GOING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486440November 29, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH. THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAME APART CAUSING THE HOOD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,424. UPDATED 12/11/12*LJ THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND HOOD LATCH WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478536October 3, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 HOUSE RATHER THEN BEING STUCK ON THE SIDE OF ROAD WATCHING IT BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND LOSING MY CAR COMPLETELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477561September 19, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING STORE PARKING LOT, ENTERED CAR, STARTED ENGINE, MOVED GEAR SHIFT TO "R" BUT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE "R" DOES NOT APPEAR IN DASHBOARD DISPLAY. TRY MOVING SHIFTER TO "D" BUT STILL NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT OR DASH DISPLAY.. SHIFT BACK TO "P" THAT NOW DISPLAYS ON DASH. TRY "R" AGAIN, NOTHING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION FAIL, TURN ENGINE OFF, AND RESTART. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY. THIS TYPE OF OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED MANY, MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. CAN'T IDENTIFY WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THIS ISSUE, I.E. COLD ENGINE, HOT ENGINE, RAIN, HOT SUMMER DAY, COLD WINTER, IT HAPPENS UNDER ANY UNEXPECTED SITUATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10475775September 18, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS CAR IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD, ONLY 24,928 MILES ON IT. IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE SMART DEALERSHIP OF BUCKHEAD, GA AND THEY TOLD ME TO TRY TO "RE-TRAIN" IT BY TURNING IT ON PART WAY 3 TIMES WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN IT WOULD SHIFT. NOPE. I CALLED THEM BACK UP AND THEY SAID THAT I WAS OVER MY 24,000 MILE WARRANTY (EVEN IF ONLY BY 928 MILES WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS WORTH OF DRIVING FOR ME) AND BECAUSE I DID MY OIL CHANGES SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY WON'T DO THIS AS WARRANTY WORK. (EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM I HAD THE RECORDS!) HOW CAN A TRANSMISSION FAIL WITHIN 24,000 MILES! I AM VERY UPSET I EVER BOUGHT A SMART CAR FROM THESE PEOPLE. WHO WOULD ALLOW THIS TYPE OF "QUALITY" OUT THERE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED! AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES I'VE HAD WITH THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE A DODGE RAM THAT'S 8 YEARS OLD AND HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM! BAD SMART CAR PEOPLE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466970July 22, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY (5 LANE) IN MY 2012 SMART FORTWO PASSION COUPE IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 65-70 MPH. ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY ACCELERATOR WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT MY SPEEDOMETER AND GEAR INDICATOR WERE ALSO NON-FUNCTIONAL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST (DESPITE HEAVY TRAFFIC) TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FAST LANE - IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO GET TO THE SLOW LANE SHOULDER DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE BREAKS ONCE I HIT THE SHOULDER (UNSURE IF POWER BRAKES OR NOT) AND ONCE STOPPED WAS UNABLE TO USE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES. AFTER 2 MINUTES I TRIED AGAIN TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK. AT THAT POINT I WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR AND ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE SHOULDER (AS IT ENDED ABOUT 200 YARDS DOWN THE FREEWAY). THE EXPERIENCE WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10466522July 18, 2012
WHEELS
I OWN THE 2009 BRABUS MODEL SMART WHICH COMES WITH LOW PROFILE TIRES THAT IN THE 5000 MILES THAT I HAVE DRIVEN, I HAVE BENT OR CRACKED ROUGHLY 7 RIMS TO THE POINT OF REPLACEMENT. I AM PRESENTLY ON MY 7TH AND 8TH BROKEN RIM WITH THIS CAR AND ON OCTOBER 18TH OF LAST YEAR I LOST CONTROL OF MY SMART ON THE HIGHWAY LEADING TO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. ONE SECOND I WAS GOING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, THEN I COULD NOT TURN AT ALL. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD WHERE THE FRONT WAS PRETTY MUCH MISSING. WHAT STOOD OUT WAS THERE WAS BASICALLY HALF A RIM ON THE RIGHT FRONT AND NO TIRE. I HAVE HELD ONTO THE RIM AND AFTER THE ACCIDENT CONTACTED SMART SO THAT THEY COULD LOOK FOR METAL FATIGUE, OR SOME FORM OF CAUSE FOR THE RIM TO BE IN THAT SHAPE. I SENT SMART MY PHOTOS OF THE CAR, THE RIM ETC., THEY RECEIVED THEM AND I NEVER HEARD BACK. I KEPT THE RIM AT HOME WITH THE HOPES OF ONE DAY THEY WOULD CONTACT ME, NOTHING. RECENTLY, I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK IN BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRE WAS "WOBBLING" AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BADLY DENTED AND SO WAS THE BACK RIM AS WELL. THESE ARE EITHER RIMS 7 AND 8 OR 8 AND 9 THAT NEED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER COULD CARE LESS ABOUT MY ISSUES, MY ACCIDENT OR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS THAT MIGHT HAVE THIS SIMILAR PRODUCT. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW, TWO DENTED RIMS AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A "REFURBISHED" REPLACEMENT FOR ONE RIM AND THE OTHER DOES NOT WARRANT REPAIR ACCORDING TO THEM. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL HOW THEY DISMISS MY ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. NEITHER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, OR WHATEVER USELESS SMART CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER THEY GAVE ME DO ANYTHING. HELP! I AM EITHER GOING TO GET KILLED IN THIS THING, OR SOMEONE ELSE WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS ME AND GET HURT. THIS IS NOT TO MENTION, WE NEVER DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10465413July 12, 2012
POWER TRAIN
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464576July 7, 2012
POWER TRAIN
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ON A HOT DAY. AFTER APPROX. 1 HOUR OF DRIVING, SLOWED DOWN TO CHANGE LANES, PUT ON BRAKES, SCREEN WENT BLANK AND THERE WERE NO GEARS. NOTHING...THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO MOVE, AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT OTHER OWNERS HAD SAME PROBLEM. WENT THROUGH A COMPUTER RESET AND IT RAN FINE. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $200 FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE (AFTER I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR $300 TO GET HOME). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10464578July 7, 2012
POWER TRAIN
IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY AND HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN ONTO RAMP AND CAR WENT OUT OF GEAR (WHILE DRIVING!). SCREEN WENT BLANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE IN A SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCE SO I PULLED OVER. TURNED OFF CAR AND FOUND ADVICE ON THE SMART CAR FORUM (THIS HAS OBVIOUSLY HAPPENED TO OTHERS AS WELL). AFTER ABOUT 3 TIMES OF COMPLETING THE CYCLE TO REBOOT THE SYSTEM, IT FINALLY WORKED AND I CONTINUED ON MY WAY. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED DEALER DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE AT MY COST ($200+) BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS...WILL SOMEONE NEED TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE WITH A RECALL OF THESE CARS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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