57 of the
475 complaints filed about the Smart Fortwo
are about the electrical system —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
I was entering an intersection and missed judged the traffic light and was a bit to far forward, so I tried to reverse but the car would not shift to reverse. I have had an actuator replaced but the problem still happens intermittently where it will not shift to reverse. I have logged into smart car forums online and it seems to be an ongoing problem with many smart cars. I have not had the manufacturer look at it yet. Many on the forum said in some cases it is a software issue. But it is dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11758392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Power Electronics Control Unit (ECM), Part No. A453-900-72-11, and the DC-to-DC converter have both failed, rendering this all-electric vehicle completely inoperable. There is no backup propulsion system. The DC-to-DC converter powers safety-critical systems including lighting, turn signals, and hazard flashers — its failure could cause loss of safety-critical functions while driving. Total repair estimate is $20,560.43. The manufacturer Mercedes-Benz USA denied warranty coverage using a Canadian warranty document for the wrong vehicle model. MBUSA has shut down the Smart warranty portal at the dealer level and their website returns no warranty data for Smart vehicles despite active warranty obligations. Smart exited the US market and MBUSA appears to have abandoned warranty support while warranties remain active.
NHTSA complaint #11730040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunday 3/23 I was driving west on 225 heading towards work, all of a sudden the check engine light comes on and all kinds of other lights on the dash came on. I got pulled over and looked in the rear view mirror I seen flames. Quickly grabbed my stuff and got out of the car. The investigation at the time stated most of the heat was coming from the engine
NHTSA complaint #11650674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car shuts down while driving. This happens usually after quick stops or sudden starts like at a red light or when a car suddenly stops on front of me. I have had this issue happen to me several times. I have tried contacting Mercedes-Benz and the dealership where I bought tge car but they do nothing. I need help getting this issue repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11598820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11586101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11535062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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!!
NHTSA complaint #11484742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11457491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Software for power control module is not correspond to the series level Software configuration. Basically it doesn't want to take charge due to the Software issues from manufacturer.
NHTSA complaint #11439125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APPEARS THAT MY 2009 SMART FORTWO PASSION AND OTHERS ON THE INTERNET ARE BEING CONFRONTED WITH MANY OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO R (REVERSE) AT TIMES AND THE KEYFOB MAY NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR NOT WORKING IN THE VEHICLE AT ALL. DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, TRANSPONDER, OR WHAT. I DO KNOW THAT MANY OWNERS ARE FACING THE SAME CHALLENGE. NO NEED FOR A KEY REMAKE, THE KEYS JUST DO NOT TURN THE CAR ON AT ALL. THE PROGRAMMING EQUIPMENT AND OR ALL THAT TROUBLESHOOTING YET MERCEDES TOP EXECUTIVES HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT ADDRESS OWNER CONCERNS. I CAN PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, HANDLE MY BUSINESS IN LETS SAY A SUPERMARKET. COME BACK OUT TO THE CAR AND PUT IN REVERSE AND ONLY N (NEUTRAL) APPEARS. I HAVE TO GO FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THEN REVERSE FOR THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH 5 MILES ON IT AND HAVE OVER 100K. ONE DAY ON THE WAY TO WORK IT SHOOK BAD. I PULLED OVER. HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON AT ALL. GAVE IT SOME TIME, THE BATTERY, WINDOWS, RADIO AND DASH LIGHT UP, BUT THE IGNITION ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. AGAIN, I HAVE NOTICED ON SEVERAL SITES MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE KEYS STOPPED WORKING MAY 20, 2020. THE REVERSE ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, DO NOT HAVE A TIME FRAME OF WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE.*DT CONSUMER STATED SHE WOULD LIKE TO DISMISS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #11326533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PARKED FOR A MONTH. AFTER A MONTH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN FRANCISCO 500 8TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT MERCEDES WOULD NOT COVER THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE LACK OF SERVICE UPKEEP. THE DEALER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $15,000.00 FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,700.
NHTSA complaint #11299810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
.........I NOT THE CURREN OWNER FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT, MY SMART IS AFFECTED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR FAULT-DEFECT. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=31877430&ROWNUMBER=9&LOADRECENT=TRUE . .........VEHICLE WON'T START. ..........FUSE BOX. FAIL. .......... ......... THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11209605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAYWHEN IT SEIZED. WHEN STOPPED THE ENGINE IN THE BACK CAUGHT FIRE, MY VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND, THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS THE YEAR BEFORE, (FOR THE 2009 SMART CAR) THERE ARE VIDEOS DOCUMNTING THIS ON YOU TUBE. MY BROTHER WHO WORKED FOR MERCEDES (THE PARENT COMPANY OF SMART) AS A MECHANIC TOLD ME TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS.
NHTSA complaint #11206595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11131619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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).
NHTSA complaint #11131081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11129713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11127959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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!!!!
NHTSA complaint #11123294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE ALTERNATOR SEIZED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIME MOTOR CARS (137 US ROUTE 1, SCARBOROUGH, ME 04074, 207-510-2250) FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11119003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.