smart Fortwo Complaints

407 consumer complaints on file.

#10555019December 6, 2013
SEATS, SEAT BELTS
THE 2013 SMART FORTWO PURE EDITION (BASE MODEL) SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DRIVER LEANS FORWARD TO LOOK OUT EITHER SIDE WINDOW TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE SEAT BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE GUIDE UNLESS IT IS HAND FED. THIS ALSO REMAINS TRUE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT APPEARS IT IS BEING CAUGHT UP IN THE GUIDE ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEATS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555102December 6, 2013
SEAT BELTS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552967November 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I OWN 2 OF THE 2008 SMART FORTWO AUTOMOBILES (PURE & CABRIO). BOTH HAVE PERIODICALLY BEEN BALKY SHIFTERS (STUCK WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE GEAR SELECTOR OUT OF PARK). ONE HAS BRIEFLY REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, INDEPENDENT OF THE GEAR INDICATED. BOTH HAVE BRIEFLY REFUSED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK... UNTIL TODAY WHEN MY WIFE WAS STUCK IN PARK AT A RED LIGHT. THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON, MY WIFE DECIDED TO SEE IF SHE COULD CLEAR THE INDICATOR. SHE QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK, ENGINE OFF THEN ON, BUT VEHICLE REMAINED STUCK IN PARK. A DEPUTY MOVED TRAFFIC AROUND HER. I ARRIVED & AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS FOR 20 MINUTES, IT FINALLY RELEASED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. I DROVE IT HOME & THOROUGHLY LUBRICATED THE SHIFTER MECHANISM PER POSTS ON THE SMART CAR OF AMERICA FORUMS. AS I RE-READ THIS THREAD CONTAINING 4 YEARS OF CONTRIBUTORS, THERE IS AN IMPRESSION THAT THE FACTORY RELEASED A 1ST, THEN 2ND GENERATION OF SHIFTER REPLACEMENT HARDWARE. THERE IS ABUNDANT OWNER FEEDBACK THAT THERE IS A RELIABILITY ISSUE IN GEAR-SHIFTING, AT LEAST ON THE 2008 MODEL. PER MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN ST CHARLES, IL, THERE IS NO FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL RUN A $120 DIAGNOSTIC, BUT REPAIR IS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. APPARENTLY, I AM ON MY OWN TO PURCHASE UPDATED SHIFTER HARDWARE, OR SELF-MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT LUBE ON THE ORIGINAL, BALKY SHIFTER HARDWARE. IF ONE EVER PULLS OVER IN A REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREA & PUTS THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, HE MAY BE STUCK THERE PERMANENTLY, UNTIL RESCUED. IN DANGEROUSLY COLD WEATHER, THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD BE FATAL. IN TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ON WHAT OTHER VEHICLE WOULD THIS BEHAVIOR BE TOLERATED? IF 2 OUT OF 2 OF MY VEHICLES EXHIBIT THIS ISSUE, IT IS WIDESPREAD, & A DANGER TO OPERATORS OF THIS VEHICLE. I'M GOING TO REPORT IT USING MY OTHER 2008 SMART FORTWO VIN NEXT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552970November 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I OWN 2 OF THE 2008 SMART FORTWO AUTOMOBILES (PURE & CABRIO). BOTH HAVE PERIODICALLY BEEN BALKY SHIFTERS (STUCK WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE GEAR SELECTOR OUT OF PARK). ONE HAS BRIEFLY REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, INDEPENDENT OF THE GEAR INDICATED. BOTH HAVE BRIEFLY REFUSED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK... UNTIL TODAY WHEN MY WIFE WAS STUCK IN PARK AT A RED LIGHT. THE ABS LIGHT HAD COME ON, MY WIFE DECIDED TO SEE IF SHE COULD CLEAR THE INDICATOR. SHE QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK, ENGINE OFF THEN ON, BUT VEHICLE REMAINED STUCK IN PARK. A DEPUTY MOVED TRAFFIC AROUND HER. I ARRIVED & AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS FOR 20 MINUTES, IT FINALLY RELEASED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. I DROVE IT HOME & THOROUGHLY LUBRICATED THE SHIFTER MECHANISM PER POSTS ON THE SMART CAR OF AMERICA FORUMS. AS I RE-READ THIS THREAD CONTAINING 4 YEARS OF CONTRIBUTORS, THERE IS AN IMPRESSION THAT THE FACTORY RELEASED A 1ST, THEN 2ND GENERATION OF SHIFTER REPLACEMENT HARDWARE. THERE IS ABUNDANT OWNER FEEDBACK THAT THERE IS A RELIABILITY ISSUE IN GEAR-SHIFTING, AT LEAST ON THE 2008 MODEL. PER MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN ST CHARLES, IL, THERE IS NO FACTORY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP WILL RUN A $120 DIAGNOSTIC, BUT REPAIR IS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. APPARENTLY, I AM ON MY OWN TO PURCHASE UPDATED SHIFTER HARDWARE, OR SELF-MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT LUBE ON THE ORIGINAL, BALKY SHIFTER HARDWARE. IF ONE EVER PULLS OVER IN A REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREA & PUTS THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, HE MAY BE STUCK THERE PERMANENTLY, UNTIL RESCUED. IN DANGEROUSLY COLD WEATHER, THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE COULD BE FATAL. IN TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ON WHAT OTHER VEHICLE WOULD THIS BEHAVIOR BE TOLERATED? IF 2 OUT OF 2 OF MY VEHICLES EXHIBIT THIS ISSUE, IT IS WIDESPREAD, & A DANGER TO OPERATORS OF THIS VEHICLE. I'M GOING TO ALSO REPORT IT USING MY OTHER 2008 SMART FORTWO VIN NEXT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552988November 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
THE 2008 SMART CAR, HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY, WHEN ENTERING, OR EXITING A HIGHWAY, OR AT AN INTERSECTION (SPEED CHANGES). THE CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN USUALLY SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE REAR ENDED, FROM UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS BEHIND THIS VEHICLE..THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE, WHILE PARKED..SMART OFFERED A SOFTWARE FIX, TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. HAD THAT DONE, THEN PROBLEM PROGRESSED, TO SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLING OUT...AT TIMES CAR, WOULD RESTART, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, INDICATING ONLY A FLASHING NEUTRAL POSITION. AT TIMES, CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL, BECAUSE WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WAS IN...IF WAITED 10-20 MINUTES, OR SEVERAL HOURS, IT MIGHT RESTART, AND SHIFT, FOR A SHORT PERIOD, BEFORE IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN...APPARENTLY IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, WITH THE SMART CAR FORUMS, FULL OF COMPLAINTS, ABOUT THE 2008 YEAR, WITH SMART CO., AT TIMES, AUTHORIZING REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT WITH 2009 MECHANISMS, THAT DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL FOR THE 2008 SMART CAR, MODEL YEAR, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED, ENTERING, EXITING A HIGHWAY, AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, OR AT AN INTERSECTION, WHERE THE CAR, SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, WON'T SHIFT OUT, AND SHUTS OFF... THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10552991November 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
THE 2008 SMART CAR, HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY, WHEN ENTERING, OR EXITING A HIGHWAY, OR AT AN INTERSECTION (SPEED CHANGES). THE CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN USUALLY SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE REAR ENDED, FROM UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS BEHIND THIS VEHICLE..THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE, WHILE PARKED..SMART OFFERED A SOFTWARE FIX, TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. HAD THAT DONE, THEN PROBLEM PROGRESSED, TO SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLING OUT...AT TIMES CAR, WOULD RESTART, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, INDICATING ONLY A FLASHING NEUTRAL POSITION. AT TIMES, CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL, BECAUSE WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WAS IN...IF WAITED 10-20 MINUTES, OR SEVERAL HOURS, IT MIGHT RESTART, AND SHIFT, FOR A SHORT PERIOD, BEFORE IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN...APPARENTLY IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, WITH THE SMART CAR FORUMS, FULL OF COMPLAINTS, ABOUT THE 2008 YEAR, WITH SMART CO., AT TIMES, AUTHORIZING REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT WITH 2009 MECHANISMS, THAT DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL FOR THE 2008 SMART CAR, MODEL YEAR, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED, ENTERING, EXITING A HIGHWAY, AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, OR AT AN INTERSECTION, WHERE THE CAR, SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, WON'T SHIFT OUT, AND SHUTS OFF... THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10548855October 22, 2013
POWER TRAIN
COULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORST. THE FAILURE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY. THE SMART DEALER STATED I NEED A NEW CLUTCH. THIS START AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES. ALL OTHER MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC SHIFTING IS NORMAL. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR BACKWARDS TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE AND CAN NOT BE TRUSTED (I HAVE HAD TO GET HELP GETTING OUT OF A PARALLEL PARKING SPACE). THE CAR NOW HAS 55,000 MILES AND SHIFTS FINE EXCEPT WHEN I WANT TO GO INTO REVERSE (IT STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548291October 17, 2013
POWER TRAIN
SMART CAR HAD HISTORY OF NOT GOING IN REVERSE. "R" WOULD NOT COME UP ON SCREEN, CAR WOULD JUST ROLL FORWARD, HITTING VEHICLE(S) IN FRONT. THEN FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, (2 YEARS) CAR WOULD GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, (EVEN ON HIGHWAY) COAST FOR A WHILE, THEN SHUT DOWN, AND NOT RESTART. IF YOU WAITED 10 MINUTES, IT WOULD USUALLY RESTART. IF TRIED SOONER, IT EITHER WOULD NOT RESTART, OR ONLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE OTHER DAY, AFTER APPROACHING HILL, AT RED LIGHT, CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SHUT DOWN, AND BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND QUICK ENOUGH SINCE CAR TURNED OFF, AND HIT TWO (2) PEDESTRIANS, CROSSING IN INTERSECTION. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, WAITED 1 1/2 HOURS, WOULD RESTART AT TIMES, BUT STAYED IN NEUTRAL, (10/2013). HAD TO BE TOWED TO SMART/MERCEDES CENTER, QUOTED ME $3000, TO CHANGE ACTUATER, CLUTCH MOTOR, CLUTCH PRESS, CLUTCH PLATE, AND MAYBE MORE IF NEED TO REPLACE CLUTCH. SMART FORUMS ARE ALL FULL OF THE SAME PROBLEMS, WITH THE SMART CARS, ESPECIALLY THE 2008. MANUFACTURER MUST HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE BY NOW, BUT IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM, APPARENTLY CHANGED DESIGN AND CLUTCH PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR 2009 SMART CARS. BUT HAS NOT RECALLED 2008 YEAR WHERE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON, AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10545986September 28, 2013
ENGINE
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER AND THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE, STOP AND TURN THE CAR ON IN THE RIGHT LANE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545435September 25, 2013
SEAT BELTS
I ATTEMPTED TO SECURE MY RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT CLIP INTO THE DESIGNATED RIGHT SEATBELT RECEPTOR BUT IT WOULD NOT COMPLETELY INSERT NOR LOCK INTO PLACE. THEN, I CHECKED IF ANY DEBRIS HAD BECAME LODGED IN THE SEATBELT RECEPTOR THAT MAY HAVE BLOCKED THE SEATBELT RECEPTOR ENTRY WAY. NO FOREIGN DEBRIS WAS FOUND SO I TRIED AGAIN, BUT RESULTED IN NOT LOCKING. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542673September 9, 2013
POWER TRAIN
THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AFTER STARTING THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE DASH BOARD SHIFT INDICATOR REMAINED ON THE "N" , BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT, THEN WENT INTO REVERSE. WE LIVED WITH PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME, BECAUSE WE, AT LEAST HAD A SOLUTION.JUST RECENTLY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2013 MY WIFE CALLED ME FROM A SHOPPING PLAZA TELLING ME THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE) IT TOOK ME ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF BEFORE THE CAR WAS ABLE TO GO INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON A HIGHWAY OR TRYING TO PARALLEL ON A BUSY STREET. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, WHICH NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BY THE MERCEDES PEOPLE. AFTER VIEWING THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY SMART CAR 2008 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE IF A CALL BACK HAS BEEN ISSUED OR WILL BE ISSUED. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535615August 15, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THIS BEING A 2008 SMART PASSION FOR TWO......A LEAKING GAS TANK ON A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE......CONTACTED MB/SMART AT THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN NJ...TRYING TO GET THEM TO REPLACE THIS UNDER THE MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE PART TO NO AVAIL. LOCAL MB/SMART DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $1717 FOR ITS REPLACEMENT.....NO VEHICLE SHOULD LOSE ITS GAS TANK BEING ONLY FOUR YEARS OLD, ANY BRAND.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10526050July 22, 2013
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WINCH
I BOUGHT A KIT TO TOW A SMART CAR WITH MY RV. THERE ARE 2 BRACKETS THAT AFTER INSTALLATION THEY WILL BE ONLY 0.236" AWAY FROM THE FRONT TIRES DURING TURNINGS. I CONSIDER THIS ISTALLATION AS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. I DIDN'T INSTALL THIS KIT AND CONTACTED DISTRIBUITOR AND MANUFACTURER TO TELL THEM WHAT I FOUND. THEY REFUSED TO REFUND EVEN I SENT THEM PICTURES AND EXPLAINED WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. PACKAGE, DESCRIPTION AND INSTRUCTIONS DON'T SHOW IF THIS PRODUCT MEETS THE DOT OR SAE STANDARDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524174July 10, 2013
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522854July 2, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY/WIPER
IN COMPLIANCE WITH MY 2013 SMART FORTWO VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL, I WASHED MY VEHICLE IN AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH, LOCATED AT A FUEL STATION. UPON THE START OF THE DRYING CYCLE, THE FRONT "HOOD ASSEMBLY" DETACHED FROM THE CAR AND FLEW BACK, STRIKING MY WINDSHIELD. IT WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF ONE OF TWO PLASTIC CLIPS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT GRILLE. THE CLIP WAS STRESSED TO THE POINT OF BREAKAGE. THIS EVENT BLOCKED ALL VISIBILITY, THEREFORE, CAUSING A POSSIBLE CRASH HAZARD AND/OR A PEDESTRIAN STRIKE. THE EVENT ALSO PLACED RISK TO OCCUPANTS, IN THE EVENT OF WINDSHIELD GLASS INJURY AND/OR HOOD PENETRATION INTO THE OCCUPANT CABIN. IN THIS SPECIFIC INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS AT LOW SPEED, AND RISK WAS MINIMAL; HOWEVER, I DO NOT KNOW THE WIND SPEED OF THE DRYER MECHANISM. IT SEEMS POSSIBLE THAT SIMILAR EXPOSURE TO SUCH FORCES COULD BE REPLICATED NATURALLY, DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IN SUCH CASE, THE POSSIBILITY OF MECHANISM FAILURE EXISTS. FOR INSTANCE: IF WIND SPEEDS/GUSTS AND SPECIFIC DIRECTIONALITY IS COMBINED WITH THE OPPOSING DIRECTIONALITY, AND A MUCH HIGHER VELOCITY OF A VEHICLE (THAN THAT OF ONE IN A CAR WASH). RESEARCH CONDUCTED, AFTER THE INCIDENT, INDICATED A HIGH PREVALENCE OF OCCURRENCE; THIS INFORMATION WAS FOUND ON PUBLIC SMART CAR INTERNET FORUMS, BY THE FUEL STATION COMPANY'S DISTRICT MANAGER, AND MANAGEMENT OF A WELL-ESTABLISHED, NATIONAL CAR WASH FRANCHISE. NOTE: ACCORDING TO THE 2013 SMART FORTWO OWNER'S MANUAL, OWNERS CAN UTILIZE AUTOMATIC CAR WASHES. IT DOES NOT WARNS AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED SITUATION. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS STATE: "WASHING YOUR VEHICLE IN AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH: WHEN RUNNING YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH, WATER DROPLETS CAN RUN DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE SIDE WINDOWS. UNSCREW YOUR VEHICLE'S ANTENNA BEFORE DRIVING INTO AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH" (P.154, SMART OPERATOR'S MANUAL, OCT 2, 2012). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512691May 19, 2013
WHEELS, TIRES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509372April 24, 2013
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT CYLINDER THREE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504648March 26, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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 ACCIDENT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE A MANUFACTURER DO A SAFETY RECALL, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS LOOKING INTO. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504116March 22, 2013
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR DOES NOT PULL OUT OF PARKING AND DOES NOT TAKE GEARS. IT HAS GONE 4 TIMES WITH THE SAME ISSUES TO THE DEALER TO LEAVE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A LAST RESORT THEY TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION 4,000.00 AND NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIX. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THIS IS ABUSIVE. AND I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT MY CREDIT AFFECTED BUT THESE CARS ARE NO GOOD. NOT EVEN THE DEALER KNOWS HOW TO FIX THEM. AND SMART USA SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THEIR OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS IS THE 5 TIME MY CAR HAS NOT LEFT THE DEALER FOR 4 AND HALF MONTH WITH DIFFERENT TEST EACH MONTH IS FIX AND WHEN I GO OUT AND RUN IT BY THE END OF THE BLOCK I HAVE TO RETURN TO THE DEALER AND LEAVE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503982March 21, 2013
ENGINE
I WAS ON THE ONRAMP TO A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 50 MPH SO THAT I COULD MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT SLOWING TRAFFIC DOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S MOMENTUM. LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH FAST ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR ABOUT 2 TO 3 TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED. I MANAGED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT HOME, BUT EVER SINCE THIS INCIDENT I AM TERRIFIED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND I WILL GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT THE SMART DEALERSHIP AFTER THIS INCIDENT. IT HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER WE LEASED IT DUE TO THESE INTERMITTENT ISSUES: A LOUD "POPPING" NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, NOT GOING INTO REVERSE AND ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL (THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR WOULD SAY THAT THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL, BUT THE GEAR STICK WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION),AND NOT ACCELERATING. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN, THE SMART DEALER TOLD US THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUES. IT IS AMAZING THAT THEY WOULD OPT TO IGNORE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION CONSIDERING THAT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE SMART CARS SINCE 2009. ARE THEY WAITING FOR SMART CAR OWNER CASUALTIES BEFORE OFFICIALLY ISSUING A RECALL? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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