smart Fortwo Complaints

407 consumer complaints on file.

#10399430May 7, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 SMART FOURTWO PASSION. 25,380 MILES. CAR FAILED TO START. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD CRACKED. ENGINE HAD TO ESSENTIALLY BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. INITIAL COST ESTIMATE WAS OVER $6000. AFTER MUCH HAGGLING IT WAS LOWERED TO $3000. NOTE THE SMART WARRANTY IS 2 YEARS, 24,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397144April 22, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
1. HIGH FAILURE RATE OF HEATER BLOWER MOTORS. 2. HIGH REPLACEMENT COST (PRICE GOUGING) FOR A BLOWER MOTOR BASED ON THE BELIEVED HIGH CURRENT FAILURE RATE. 3. 3 BLOWER FAILURES IN 54K MILES. 4. VEHICLE WAS NEW IN 4/2008, I AM ORIGINAL OWNER 5. NO HEAT CREATES A HIGH SAFETY RISK TO CONSUMER WHO USE THE VEHICLE IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. 6. NO HEAT CAN CREATE VISIBILITY ISSUE DUE TO INABILITY TO PROPERLY DEFROST THE WINDOWS. 7. NO HEAT PRESENTS A HEALTH ISSUE TO OLDER USERS IN COLD WEATHER WHO MAY HAVE LIMITED CIRCULATION. 8. NO HEAT PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE TO OTHER DRIVERS DUE TO: A. POOR VISIBILITY B. DRIVER DISTRACTION DUE TO COMFORT C. DRIVER DISTRACTION DUE TO GAGE PANEL MANIPULATION 9. NO HEAT CREATES A HEALTH ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF BEING STRANDED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER. FAILURE TO HEAT THE OCCUPANT SPACE COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. 10. DISASSEMBLY AND REPAIR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR IS NOT PART OF THE CONSUMER REGULAR SERVICE REQUIREMENTS. 11. SMART DOES NOT RECOMMEND CHANGING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR DURING REGULAR SERVICE INTERVALS. SO FAR SMART HAS DONE ALL SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AT 10, 20, 30, 40, AND 50K. NOT ONCE WAS BLOWER MOTOR A SUGGESTED SERVICE ITEM. 12. SMART THEREFORE BELIEVES THE BLOWER MOTOR TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT LIFE AND DOES NOT NEED SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397147April 22, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAN BLOWER MOTOR STARTED MAKING NOISE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP COSTS $100 WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382221February 9, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I BEGIN TO TURN RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER STREET AND THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I STARTED AND STOPPED THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT GO INTO EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. I WAS PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAVE HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION BEFORE. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES, THE CAR WOULD FINALLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381148February 8, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1.HIGH FAILURE RATE OF HEATER BLOWER MOTORS. 2.HIGH REPLACEMENT COST $340+ (PRICE GOUGING) FOR A BLOWER MOTOR BASED ON THE BELIEVED HIGH CURRENT FAILURE RATE. 3.3 BLOWER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN 54K MILES. 4.VEHICLE WAS NEW IN 4/2008, I AM ORIGINAL OWNER 5.NO HEAT CREATES A HIGH SAFETY RISK TO CONSUMER WHO USE THE VEHICLE IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. 6.NO HEAT CAN CREATE VISIBILITY ISSUE DUE TO INABILITY TO PROPERLY DEFROST THE WINDOWS. 7.NO HEAT PRESENTS A HEALTH ISSUE TO OLDER USERS IN COLD WEATHER WHO MAY HAVE LIMITED CIRCULATION. 8.NO HEAT PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE TO OTHER DRIVERS DUE TO: A.POOR VISIBILITY B.DRIVER DISTRACTION DUE TO COMFORT C.DRIVER DISTRACTION DUE TO GAGE PANEL MANIPULATION 9.NO HEAT CREATES A HEALTH ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF BEING STRANDED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER. FAILURE TO HEAT THE OCCUPANT SPACE COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. 10.DISASSEMBLY AND REPAIR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR IS NOT PART OF THE CONSUMER REGULAR SERVICE REQUIREMENTS. 11.SMART DOES NOT RECOMMEND CHANGING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR DURING REGULAR SERVICE INTERVALS. SO FAR SMART HAS DONE ALL SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AT 10, 20, 30, 40, AND 50K. NOT ONCE WAS BLOWER MOTOR A SUGGESTED SERVICE ITEM. 12.SMART THEREFORE BELIEVES THE BLOWER MOTOR TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT LIFE AND DOES NOT NEED SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381020February 7, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CLUTCH COUPLING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,150.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379313January 27, 2011
VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEATER BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE, RANDOM OCCURRENCE OF FAILURE TO OPERATE HEAT OR DEFROST, FOGGING/FREEZING WINDOWS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377989January 20, 2011
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMARTCAR CABRIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE LEATHER HEATED SEAT BURNED AS A RESULT OF THE HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE HEATING ELEMENT NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378960January 20, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FAILED COMPONENT - AIR CONDITIONER (FAN WORKS BUT NO COLD AIR). OPERATION HAS BEEN ERRATIC. IN THE SUMMER, THIS WAS A NUISANCE. IN THE WINTER, IT IS AS SERIOUS AS BRAKE LOSS! I HAVE NOW HAD THREE OCCURANCES OF NINETY PERCENT LOSS OF VISIBILITY AS A RESULT OF COMPLETE FOGGING OF ALL WINDOWS. THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE RIGHT AMBIENT TEMP., HUMIDITY AND INTERIOR TEMP. INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MILES AND WERE VIRTUALLY INSTANTANEOUS (LESS THAN 30 SECONDS). AN AC/HEAT BLEND IS NEEDED TO DEHUMIDIFY WINDOWS. THE LOCAL DEALER HAD THIS CAR FOR ONE WEEK (OCT 15 TO OCT 23, 2010 WHILE IT WAS STILL A NUISANCE PROBLEM). DID NOT REPAIR BECAUSE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. FIRST COMPLETE LOSS OF VISIBILITY ON THIS CAR OCCURRED ON NOV. 5TH. WHEN I WAS INFORMED BY MY DEALER THAT THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS, A LETTER WAS SENT TO SMART CUSTOMER SERVICE (ADDRESS PROVIDED BY LOCAL DEALER) IN BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI. ON NOV. 17, 2010 AND RECEIVED BY THEM ON NOV. 19TH. NO RESPONSE TO DATE. REPEAT PHONE CALLS RESULTED IN NO SOLUTION. MY FINAL ATTEMPT WAS STOPPING AT THE DEALER ON JAN 17TH TO DETERMINE IF A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE ADVISOR, NO BULLETINS HAD BEEN ISSUED AND I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. MY THREE INCIDENTS HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS ALLOWING ME TO SAFELY MOVE MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND PLAY WITH THE CONTROLS UNTIL THE AC KICKED IN. MY GREATEST CONCERN IS HAVING THIS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED OR HAVING A GUARD RAIL PREVENT A SAFE STOP! (THIS DID HAPPEN WITH THEIR LOANER ON WALDEN CREEK RD WHICH, FORTUNATELY, IS A VERY LITTLE TRAVELED MOUNTAIN ROAD. I WAS FORCED TO STOP ON THE ROAD & PLAY WITH CONTROLS UNTIL AC KICKED IN. THAT VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. DATE OF OCCURRENCE FOR THIS NEW LOANER WAS SATURDAY, OCT. 23RD, INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO DEALER.)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10377889January 19, 2011
STRUCTURE
THE PLASTIC ROOF IN MY 2009 SMART FORTWO HAD BEEN CRACKING SUBSTANTIALLY FROM EITHER HEAT OR CLEANING CHEMICALS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10375542January 11, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK IN MY SMART FORTWO 451 ON A SNOWY MORNING. MY DRIVEWAY IS RATHER STEEP, AND WHILE SLOWLY GOING DOWN THE HILL THE CAR BEGAN TO SLIDE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BEGAN SLOWING TO A STOP BUT WAS STILL SLIDING. I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS STILL IN CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN IT AND THE ACCELERATOR. I TRIED FRANTICALLY TO PULL IT OUT BUT IT WAS STUCK FAST, AND THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING (DUE TO GRAVITY) DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO PULL MY FOOT OUT OF MY SHOE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE, BUT BY THEN I WAS ALREADY OFF THE DRIVEWAY AND HEADED DOWN THE SIDE OF THE HILL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM HAD IT OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC. AFTER STOPPING I STILL HAD SOME DIFFICULTY REMOVING MY SHOE FROM BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS. I AM A MALE WITH SIZE 12 SHOES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10366433November 16, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO 451 COUPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RESET THE COMPUTER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONNECTION BECAUSE IT WAS LOOSE. THREE MONTHS LATER THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE HE PAID $150 FOR THE FIRST REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360350October 13, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 PASSIONFORTWO, WHICH HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN THE 28 MONTHS AND 13K MILES OF OWNERSHIP. I'M HAPPILY DRIVING ALONG UNTIL I REACH MY DESTINATION, THEN I NEED TO GO INTO REVERSE TO PARK. THE SHIFTER WORKS FLAWLESSLY AND THE DISPLAY CLEARLY SHOWS THE CORRECT POSITION OF THE SHIFTER. BUT, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE, NOR WILL IT ENGAGE IF I RESELECT DRIVE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THAT THIS HAPPENED, I EVENTUALLY TURNED OFF THE KEY AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND ALL WAS WELL. THE LAST TWO TIMES, THAT WORK-AROUND HAD NO EFFECT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR FIVE MINUTES AND ONE HOUR, RESPECTIVELY, AND THEN HAD NO PROBLEM SELECTING ANY GEAR. A CAR THAT SUDDENLY WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR IS DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358382September 30, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE STOPS AFTER MAKING A HARSH LEFT TURN- SUCH AS IN A U-TURN. CHECKED FOR PHYSICAL TOUCHING OF INSERTED KEY AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE. MOTOR STARTS IMMEDIATELY WHEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND IGNITION KEY IS TURNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352045August 26, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
CRAZING AND FAILURE OF MAKROLON (POLYCARBONATE) ROOF ON ALL SMART FOR TWO COUPES FROM 2008 TO PRESENT. POLYCARBONATE (PC) MATERIAL THE TRANSPARENT ROOF PANEL IS MADE FROM DISINTEGRATES FROM UV SUNLIGHT OR HEAT BEYOND ITS 150F RATING EXACERBATED BY SMART'S SUNSHADE INSIDE THE CAR. PC IS NOT RESISTANT TO OZONE AND OTHER CHEMICALS LISTED HERE: HTTP://WWW.SHEFFIELDPLASTICS.COM/WEB_DOCS/MAKROLON%20CHEMICAL%20RESISTANCE.PDF MANY OF WHICH ARE IN THE AIR AND IN CLEANING SUPPLIES. FROM THIS MFG WEB..."EXPOSING MAKROLON SHEET TO REPEATED STEAM CLEANING OR DISH WASHING CAN CREATE HYDRAULIC CRAZING. THE RESULT CAN BE A CLOUDING OF THE SURFACE AND ULTIMATELY A LOSS OF PHYSICAL STRENGTH PROPERTIES." TEMPERATURES MEASURED BETWEEN SUNSHADE AND MAKROLON ROOF PANEL IN SC PARKING LOT FAR EXCEEDS 150F SPEC, CAUSING THE OBSERVED FAILURES. THESE FAILURES WILL, EVENTUALLY, CONSUME THE PLASTIC ROOF WHICH WILL FALL ON OCCUPANTS OR EXPLODE OUTWARDS ONTO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC WHEN, NOT IF, THE PLASTIC FINALLY FAILS, STRUCTURALLY. THE FAILURE IS SLOW AND TAKES A YEAR OR MORE TO MATERIALIZE. AS THIS MODEL IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, SMART HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECALL/REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL, STONEWALLING THE CUSTOMERS TO THE PROBLEM. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, OR THIS PANEL FAILS AND FALLS ON THE CHILDREN OR CAUSES PANIC TO THE DRIVER, THIS ROOF PANEL SHOULD BE RECALLED, EVEN OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE IT TAKES MORE THAN THE 2-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THE FAILURE TO OCCUR, BY FORCE OF GOVERNMENT IF NECESSARY. SMART REPLACES ONE DEFECTIVE PANEL WITH ANOTHER UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DEFECTIVE MATERIAL, SO THE PROBLEM REPEATS. A FORCED RECALL TO REPLACE WITH OTHER MATERIAL MORE REALISTIC TO INTENSE UV SUNSHINE IN A HOT PARKING LOT IS WARRANTED BECAUSE OF THE COMPANY'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS PROPER REPLACEMENT WITH A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346654August 1, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IT'S A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK, THE CAR WON'T GO INTO REVERSE, AND SOMETIMES WON'T GO INTO ANY GEAR AT ALL. THIS HAS BEEN RECURRING FOR 2 YEARS, AND THE DEALERSHIP PRETENDS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN IN A BUSY STREET, OR IN A SLOPE WHEN YOU EXPECT TO BACK UP WHILE THE CAR ROLLS DOWN THE HILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346474July 31, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2009 SMART FOR TWO PASSION MODEL ON 7/21 I WENT TO GO INTO A PARKING PLACE AT A SMALL SHOPPING AREA AND THE BRAKES SLOWED ME DOWN BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS GOING VERY SLOW BUT COULD NOT STOP THUS I HIT THE WINDOW OF A FURNITURE STORE. IT BROKE THE WINDOW AND THE ONLY DAMAGE TO MY CAR WEE CUTS IN THE PLASTIC FROM THE FALLING GLASS AS IT TOOK THEM 2 HOURS TO PICK IT UP. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT, NO ONE WAS INJURED, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I WENT SUCH A SHORT DISTANCE I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT PUTTING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT I AM AWARE OF. ALL I REMEMBER IS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULD NOT STOP. THERE ARE FACTORY FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR AND I HAVE MANY PICTURES. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND THEY SAID THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SMART IS SUPPOSE TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO SEE IT. I REALLY HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN THIS DEALERSHIP AND YOU CAN NEVER REACH ANYONE TO TALK TO ALL YOU GET ARE VOICEMAILS AND NO CALL BACK. FINALLY GOT THROUGH ON WED 7/28 WHEN THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT IS STILL AT SMART OF TREVOSE (PA). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10340958July 1, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART CAR FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WOULD IN THE SAME DIRECTION WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000. UPDATED 8/25/10 *CN UPDATED 08/27/10 UPDATED 08/30/10*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339597June 22, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I DRIVE BY AN INTERSECTION WHERE THERE ARE A LOT OF RADIO, SATELLITE AND CELL PHONE TOWERS, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN MY CAR IS IMMOBILIZED. BY THAT I MEAN THAT THE CAR IS IN "D" BUT WON'T MOVE. I PUSH OR COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR "OFF." I WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND RESTART. THE WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON BUT IT WILL ALLOW ME TO DRIVE OFF IN "D." I THEN PARK, DO MY ERRANDS AND COME BACK TO THE CAR. I START IT UP, ALL WARNING LIGHTS STAY OFF AND IT DRIVES NORMALLY. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH OCCASIONS WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN BY THIS INTERSECTION (MT. PLEASANT AVENUE AND PROSPECT AVENUE IN WEST ORANGE, NJ.) THE CAR IS A 2008 SMART PASSION COUPE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334046June 1, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) VEHICLE INFO 2008 SMARTCAR STYLE: PURE COLOR: SILVER VIN: [XXX] PURCHASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2008 PURCHASE PRICE: $17,000.00 BEGINNING MILEAGE: 417 DEALER INFORMATION [XXX] DESCRIPTION/EXPLANATION OF EVENTS BEGINNING IN JUNE 2008 TO SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, I SPENT TIME DOING MY DUE DILIGENCE REGARDING THE NEW SMARTCAR AND THE PERFORMANCE POSSIBILITIES IT WOULD HAVE IN MY FORESTRY CONSULTING BUSINESS. I TYPICALLY DRIVE 4,500 TO 5,000 MILES PER MONTH AND MY FORD F-150 WAS USING APPROXIMATELY 26 GALLONS OF FUEL PER DAY AT A COST OF $4.25 PER GALLON. THIS DUE DILIGENCE INCLUDED MEETING WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER OF SMART CENTER SEATTLE AND GIVING HIM A FULL DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WORK I WOULD BE DOING AND DETERMINING HOW I THOUGHT THE CAR WOULD HOLD UP. WE EVEN MEASURED THE CLEARANCE OF A SHOWROOM CAR WHICH WAS ACCEPTABLE. I WAS SCHEDULED FOR A TEST DRIVE AND WAS COMPLETELY SOLD ON THE CAR AND THE BENEFITS OF UTILIZING THIS VEHICLE IN MY PROFESSION. I ORDERED A CAR AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 15 MONTHS BEFORE MY CAR WOULD BE BUILT AND DELIVERED. THERE IS A PROGRAM WHERE THE DEALERSHIP CAN SELL CARS THAT WERE ORDERED AND NOT PURCHASED FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. THE CAR I EVENTUALLY PURCHASED WAS ONE OF THESE CARS. I WAS CALLED TO SEE IF I WOULD LIKE TO BUY THIS ONE INSTEAD OF WAITING THE MONTHS FOR MY CAR TO BE MANUFACTURED. WITH THE CURRENT COST OF FUEL AT THE TIME, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE THE CAR AND SURPLUS MY ORDERED CAR WHEN IT CAME INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE COST OF THE VEHICLE WAS $17,000.00 PLUS THE DEALER PREP, TAX AND SO ON, FOR A TOTAL PRICE OF $19,000. THE VEHICLE HAD A STANDARD 24,000 MILE WARRANTY AND I WAS GIVEN THE OPTION TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE, APPROXIMATELY $2000 IF I RECALL CORRECTLY. BECAUSE OF THE HIGH MILEAGE I DRIVE EACH YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES, I DECIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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