Smart Fortwo 451
Model Fortwo 451 made by Smart got 36 consumer complains as well as 1 recall. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine and engine cooling. There was one recall concerning structure .
Model 2008
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS | ||||||||||||||||
| 08V390000 | SMART USA DISTRIBUTOR LLC | from 04/01/2008 to 06/30/2008 | V (Vehicle) | 43 | 10/30/2008 | MFR | SMART USA DISTRIBUTOR LLC | 08/07/2008 | 08/07/2008 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Smart usa is recalling 43 my 2008 fortwo 451 vehicles. a single batch of paint sent to the company did not meet specifications. a re-work was done in the plant using different formulations of painting materials. after the re-work was completed, it was determined that the combination of materials used to repaint the frame and chassis could lead to de lamination of the paint materials from the body and frame structures. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Such de laminating can take place in the area of the body where the windshield and roof have been affixed with adhesive, which could affect the adhesion of those components to the vehicle body, increasing the risk of separation. this could cause a crash if the roof or windshield separated from the vehicle while in motion. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will repaint the affected areas to meet specifications. the recall began on august 18, 2008. owners may contact smart usa at 1-248-648-2451. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Smart usa recall no.0808-001.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 01/25/2011 | 66680 | ||
| Heater blower motor failure, random occurance of failure to operate heat or defrost, fogging/freezing windows | |||
| 07/15/2010 | 13000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo 451 coupe. while the vehicle was stopped the air bag light came on and would not go off. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer reset the computer for the driver's side seat belt connection because it was loose. he stated three months later the failure happen again. the vehicle has not been 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. vwb | |||
| 02/18/2010 | 23500 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 12/22/2008 | 50 | 1 | |
| Gas gauge does not register full on fill ups. *tr | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 02/18/2010 | 23500 | ||
| 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. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||
| 12/22/2008 | 50 | 1 | |
| Gas gauge does not register full on fill ups. *tr | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 10/10/2008 | 3000 | 1 | |
| Gear shift lever freezes in park & therefore will not allow car to move. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 05/23/2010 | 25000 | ||
| The car will not engage reverse at all and sometimes jumps between n, d, or a blank display on the dash readout. when this happens you can move the shifter and it will not select reverse and there is a beeping noise audible from the dash. the car must be rolled back down a hill in neutral or pushed. it has happened about 4 times in the last week. nothing is being done to correct the failure by replacing parts or repairing parts. car has only about 27k miles. | |||
| 05/21/2008 | 2200 | 1 | |
| Since new. car has problem moving from park into gear, either reverse or drive. even when gearshift moves and indicator light shows gear, does not engage. same problem moving from drive to reverse. gearshift sticks on occasion and is difficult to move. *tr | |||
| 10/10/2008 | 3000 | 1 | |
| Gear shift lever freezes in park & therefore will not allow car to move. *tr | |||
| 12/02/2008 | 8400 | 1 | |
| The failing part is in the automatic transmission shift lever. the shift lever release button begins to get resistive in it's operation and then fails to actuate all together. in my case this resulted in the dealer service department having to replace the entire shift lever assembly. the failure occurred at approximately 8400 miles. it has been about 500 miles since the repair and i can feel the lever becoming resistive again. *tr | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 01/11/2011 | |||
| 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. | |||
| TIRES - PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | |||
| 08/29/2008 | 15000 | 1 | |
| Valve stem on 2008 smart fortwo tpms (tire pressure monitoring system) is made of aluminum and corrodes due to salt. valve stem is not replaceable so the entire sensor has to be replaced. part was replaced with an aftermarket part (which has subsequently stopped working). old part is available. *tr | |||
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||
| 03/15/2011 | 34000 | ||
| Fan blower motor started making noise and had to be replaced. repaired at dealership costs $100 with extended warranty. | |||
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 01/25/2011 | 66680 | ||
| Heater blower motor failure, random occurance of failure to operate heat or defrost, fogging/freezing windows | |||