smart Fortwo Complaints

407 consumer complaints on file.

#11186451March 14, 2019
ENGINE
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SMART CAR. CONSUMER WRITES WITH CONCERN FOR VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE WHILE IDLE IN DRIVE-WAY FOLLOWING RECALL AND REPAIRS BY MANUFACTURER. *AS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11176356February 11, 2019
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SMART FORTWO COUPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ MANHATTAN (212-629-1600, LOCATED AT 770 11TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10019) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11173470February 1, 2019
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT SWITCH TO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11172272January 26, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, Other/Unknown
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE BEHIND ME AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AS THE FIRE ENGULFED THE REMAINDER OF THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11166341January 10, 2019
ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH OLMSTED (28450 LORAIN RD, NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070, (440) 716-2700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR CAUSED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO SEIZE. ALSO, THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11155249November 30, 2018
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BLOWER MOTOR DID NOT WORK AND CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SMART CENTER ALBUQUERQUE AT 877-316-3208 (LOCATED AT 1220 S RENAISSANCE BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87107), BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH ANYONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11143407October 27, 2018
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS. THE MALE END CAN NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE FEMALE END.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11139312October 9, 2018
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WORLD WIDE MOTORS, INC (3900 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240) WHERE THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE SAME FAILURES OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. *TT UPDATED 12/12/18*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11132462October 1, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FOR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS DEVON MERCEDES-BENZ (214 W LANCASTER AVE, DEVON, PA 19333, (610) 687-1500) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE COMING OUT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,988. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11131952September 27, 2018
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN PARK AND SOMETIMES SEEMS LIKE IT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11131619September 25, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2016 SMART CAR PASSION KEY STUCK IN SWITCH. STATIONARY IN PARK GEAR. POOR DESIGN OF SHIFTER, IF THAT EASILY DISABLED. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH IMPROVED DESIGN SHIFTER. IF THAT SENSITIVE WHY DO THEY PUT 2 CUP HOLDERS NEAR THE SHIFTER? SIMPLE RUBBER SEAL WOULD FIX IT! THE SERVICE MECHANIC SAID THE SHIFTER WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF A COFFEE SPILL - HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE - BECAUSE ANY STAIN WAS YEARS AGO WHEN I GOT THE CAR. I HAVE NOT DRUNK ANY IN THE CAR OVER A YEAR. TO SAVE MONEY I MAKE COFFEE AT HOME AND DRINK AT WORK. I'M SURE ALL THIS SUMMER WET AND HUMID WEATHER CAUSED A PROBLEM. AFTER WEEKS OF RAIN THE KEY WAS JAMMING MANY TIMES BEFORE IT GOT STUCK. I THINK THE SHIFTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED AND SHOULD BE REPLACE FOR FREE. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THE SHIFTER IS COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. TRYING TO BLAME A SPILL FOR THE FAILURE BUT JUST A BAD SHIFTER. THIS IS THE SECOND SMART CAR I HAVE GOTTEN AND THE MOST TROUBLE. I CAN'T AFFORD THE ESTIMATED #1100 COST TO FIX IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11131081September 24, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH SMARTCAR 2009, VIN: [XXX] INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH GEARBOX SHIFTER NOT ALLOWING CAR TO BE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN TRYING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE, OR LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. IF A SIMILAR SMARCARS ARE STUCK ON TRAIN TRACKS, AND CANNOT MANEUVER TO GET OFF THE TRACKS THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF ISSUE, IT IS NOTED ON MULTIPLE INTERNATIONAL SMARTCAR BLOGS, HTTPS://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F4/REVERSE-DOES-NOT-ENGAGE-140961 HTTPS://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F353/WON-T-GO-INTO-REVERSE-SOMETIMES-33556/ HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4IWBPVZKSZE ADDITIONALLY, THE CONSOLE WILL SHOW A FLASHING "D" AND WRENCHES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11129626September 15, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
ABS & BRAKE ICONS WERE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ON 9/13/2018. MECHANIC FOUND ABS MODULE TO BE FULL OF WATER, WHICH CORRODED CONNECTOR PINS IN THE ABS MODULE, CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO FAIL. LACK OF ABS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO CAR OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11129713September 15, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TYSINGER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ON 08/30/2018. THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD BANG AND THEN THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF SMOKE AFTERWARDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 45 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY, BUT IT HAS NOT. THE CAR STALLS AT RED LIGHTS AND DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF SMOKE AFTER IT STALLS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11127959September 6, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SMART FOR TWO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND REAR WIPER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARAGE ISLA VERDE LLC (LOCATED AT AVE, BALDORIOTY DE CASTRO KM 10.3, PR 00979, (787) 620-1313), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,334. **TR CONSUMER COMMENT IN SPANISH. UPDATED 10/30/18*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11123294August 29, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ELECTRICAL FUSES TEND TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS, WITH A/C COMING ON AND OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME, OFTEN WHEN I HIT SPEED BUMPS. THE LIGHTS CAN BE CAUSED BY THIS AS WELL HITTING THE SIMPLE RIGHT CORNER TURN CAN POP THE LIGHT RIGHT OUT. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM THAT IT NEEDS BETTER SHOCKS. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHTS BOTH FRONT AND BACK AT A VERY MINIMUM OF 12 TIMES A YEAR. THAT'S RIDICULOUS IN MY EYES.IT SHOULD BE SMARTER THAN THAT!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11122706August 27, 2018
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED SMART CENTER ALBUQUERQUE AT (877) 316-3208 (LOCATED AT 1220 S RENAISSANCE BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87107) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11122678August 27, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SMART CAR RECALL I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 3, 2018 AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO CONTACT ME BACK - I AM STILL WAITING. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME ONCE THEY HAD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11122178August 24, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF OXNARD, 1511 AUTO CENTER DR, OXNARD, CA 93036, (805) 665-301) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS AND TOOL NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFEREED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT CONTACT STATES ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11122252August 24, 2018
ENGINE
I LEARNED OF A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE EARLIER THIS YEAR - I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER BECAUSE I HAD MOVED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE RECALL WAS FOR A SAGGING INSULATION MAT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH HAD APPARENTLY CAUSED FIRES IN OTHER SMART CARS. I CONTACTED MY DEALER, KEELER OF LATHAM, WHO TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE NOT IN FOR THE REPAIR, AND SUGGESTED I CALL MERCEDES, THE MANUFACTURER. I CALLED THEM, GAVE MY UPDATED ADDRESS, THEY TOLD ME THEY'D BE IN TOUCH WHEN THE RECALLED PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REASON A MONTH OR SO LATER, THEY NEVER CHECKED MY VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE RECALLED PARTS WERE AFFECTED. I ASKED ABOUT IT, THEY TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES STATING THE RECALL FIX WAS NOT READY BUT THAT IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. ON 7/31/18, MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN, BUT ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER I PARKED THE CAR AT MY FRIEND'S HOME, HIS WIFE CAME INSIDE AND SAID "YOUR FRIEND'S CAR IS ON FIRE". WE WENT OUTSIDE, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. INSURANCE WILL PAY FOR PART OF WHAT IT WOULD COST TO GET ME INTO A NEW USED CAR, BUT MERCEDES HAS OFFERED ONLY TO PAY MY $500 DEDUCTIBLE, OR TO TAKE A SMALL DISCOUNT OFF MY PURCHASE OF A MERCEDES OR SMART CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES DEALER. MERCEDES HAS ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE, AS THEIR INVESTIGATION SHOWED IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SAGGING INSULATION MAT. I WAS HOPING THAT SOMETHING IN THE LAW WOULD HELP FORCE MERCEDES TO MAKE ME WHOLE. I JUST WANT TO BE BACK IN A RELIABLE USED CAR WITHOUT A CAR PAYMENT. IF THEY HAD REPAIRED THE RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER, I WOULD STILL HAVE MY CAR, WHICH WAS IN GREAT SHAPE AND HAD NO PAYMENT. I DON'T WANT TO BUY A NEW MERCEDES CAR. I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS. THANKS. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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