2013 Smart Fortwo Owner Complaints

Seat belt anchor to vehicle on driver side of vehicle frayed and broke away with normal routine use.

NHTSA ID

11628640

Incident

Dec 3, 2024

The drivers side seatbelt connecting floor (I think it's the belt force limiter) has a cable that has broken off. This is the 2nd time this has happened to my SmartCar. It is a design flaw because the cable runs against the metal of the seat cutting thru the cable. It isn't usually noticed until it breaks off making the seatbelt complete become broken from the floor. Additionally, SmartCars including this one have a known issue where AirBags become I op (light on) due to connection issue under seat. So now I have no restraints in my car.

NHTSA ID

11469109

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

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 ID

11439125

Incident

Oct 27, 2021

THE GEAR CANNOT GO REVERSE. IT STUCK AT NEUTRAL. I CAN DRIVE FORWARD, NEUTRAL BUT NOT GO REVERSE.

NHTSA ID

11416476

Incident

May 11, 2021

Mileage

70,000 mi

REGARDING LIGHTNING: WATER/HUMIDITY HAD ACCESS TO THE SAM UNIT AND THE RIGHT-SIDE SIGNALS/STOP LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. REGARDING BODY/OTHER: SOME OF THE CONVERTIBLE-ROOF STEEL FRAME/BARS GOT BENT WHEN CLOSING THE TOP AND THE BENT BARS WOULD PREVENT THE TOP FROM CLOSING UNLESS YOU FORCED THE STEEL/METAL BARS.

NHTSA ID

11376789

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

1 mi

DRIVER SEATBELT WILL NOT STAY IN TENSION RING. AT TIMES STUCK IN PARK & WHEN UNSTUCK WILL NOT ENGAGE ANY GEAR AND STOPPING AT RED LIGHT WHILE IN DRIVE SOON AFTER STARTING CAR IT WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATOR IS ENGAGED. IN ALL CASES ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN TURN TO POWER ON ONLY FOR 10 TO TWENTY MINUTES DURING WHICH EVENTUALLY CLICKING/CLUNKING SOUNDS ARE HEARD. AFTER HEARING THESE SOUNDS START AND SHIFT. REPEAT SOMETIMES TWICE BEFORE TRANSMISSION UNLOCKS. YOU MUST LEAVE ONE HOUR EARLY TO WORK OR APPOINTMENTS ANTICIPATING TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AND RESET PROCESS. USING THE YELLOW LEVER UNDER SHIFT CONSOLE WILL UNLOCK SHIFTER BUT WILL NOT AIDE WITH GEARS ENGAGING. USING GOOGLE SEARCH I FOUND OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11354621

Incident

Dec 21, 2017

Mileage

14,300 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MOUNT, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS A STEEL CABLE, HAS MOSTLY BROKEN AND FRAYED RENDERING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD CERTAINLY BREAK COMPLETELY. I ONLY NOTICED IT YESTERDAY WHILE CLEANING, THE BREAKAGE WOULD'VE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IT. I'VE CONTACTED SMART USA, AND GOTTEN NO RESPONSE. I'VE CONTACTED MERCEDES USA, AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MANDATORY SAFETY FEATURE THAT HAS COMPLETELY FAILED FROM NORMAL USE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327242

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

THIS CAR IS AN EV. WATER IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WILL NOT LET THE CAR RECHARGE. WATER AND MUD IN THE 12V POWER CABLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE BATTERY PACK HAS CAUSED A 12V POWER CABLE FITTING TO CRACK. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE CAR. THESE PROBLEMS WILL NOT LET THE CAR RECHARGE! THIS IS NOT A FLOOD CAR! IT HAS 76,087 MILE ON IT!!!!! MY DEALER IS A JOKE! I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY FOR 8 MONTHS. ALSO THE KEY FOB IS BROKEN. THIS ALSO WILL NOT LET ME DRIVE MY CAR. I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS PIECE OF JUNK! (XXXXXX) OWNER. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11315586

Incident

Mar 4, 2019

Mileage

76,086 mi

RED LIGHT WITH SEAT WITH A RED DOT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UP WHAT THE SYMBOL MEANT. WHEN IT DIDN'T INVOLVE OIL OR WATER, I DROVE IT TO DEALER. THEY PERFORMED 30,000 MILE SERVICE AND WHEN I DROVE IT HOME IT STOPPED.

NHTSA ID

11203624

Incident

Apr 15, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

LEFT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED BY A CABLE TO THE CAR BODY. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE HAD FAILED AND ONLY A COUPLE OF STRANDS WERE HOLDING THE SEAT BELT TO THE CAR. MY WIFE DISCOVERED IT BY ACCIDENT WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. PHOTOS ATTACHED. MERCEDES CHARGED ME $450 TO REPLACE SEAT BELTS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ID

11192294

Incident

Mar 28, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN PARK AND SOMETIMES SEEMS LIKE IT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS.

NHTSA ID

11131952

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

39,000 mi

ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16TH WHEN TRYING TO START MY 2013 SMART FORTWO BRABUS, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLICKING, SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE AC VENTS, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED, FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET AT THE TIME. HERE IS A LINK TO AN ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER: HTTP://WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM/AREA_NEWS/ARTICLE_8D176B4C-1351-11E8-99E4-A352E891F430.HTML AND I'VE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE FIRE DEPT. REPORT.

NHTSA ID

11074117

Incident

Feb 16, 2018

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FOR TWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN FRANSICO DEALER LOCATED AT 500 8TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CAWHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT DAMAGED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO THE REPAIR DUE TO NEGLIGENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A TEN PERCENT DISCOUNT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,000. *LN UPDATED 9/7/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11033202

Incident

Aug 23, 2017

Mileage

33,000 mi

THE "BRAKE MALF" LIGHT WENT ON AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL, COMING HOME FROM WORK. I PULLED TO A SIDE STREET. THE BREAK WOULD WORK IF YOU PRESSED REALLY HARD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SMART DEALERSHIP.THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT WATER LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT AND CORRODED THE FUSE BOX CONNECTED TO THE BREAKS. I ASKED HOW WATER COULD GET THERE HE SAID FROM A SPILL. I INFORMED HIM THAT NOTHING HAS SPILLED ON THAT SIDE AND ASKED IF IT COULD BE FROM THE RAIN OR LEAKING WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID. HE SAID THE RAIN CAN'T GET IN UNLESS THE CAR WINDOW OR DOOR IS OPEN AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID IS SOMEWHERE ELSE. THERE WAS NO SPILL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SO I AM NOT SURE HOW THE FUSE BOX GOT CORRODED. EVEN IF THERE WAS A SPILL, HOW CAN A SPILL INSIDE YOUR OWN CAR CAUSE THE BREAKS TO MALFUNCTION!?? THEY NEED TO FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW!!!! HAVING YOUR BRAKES NOT WORK IS A DEADLY SITUATION FOR ANY DRIVER TO BE IN.

NHTSA ID

10824087

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

Mileage

7,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HESITATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO CHANGE GEARS BACK AND FORTH DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MORE THAN TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ID

10810493

Incident

Mar 12, 2012

Mileage

11,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CASING MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ID

10766514

Incident

Sep 18, 2015

Mileage

6,000 mi

ONE OF THE TWO V BELT FOR THE ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY I GET TO PULL OVER WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HEARD THE BELT SNAP WHILE DRIVING AND IT A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SMART CAR. HTTP://WWW.EVILUTION.CO.UK/INFO/MHD_BELT_FAILURE.HTM.

NHTSA ID

10743284

Incident

Jul 23, 2015

Mileage

19,900 mi

ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED BRIEFLY AND WENT OFF. WITHIN ONE MILE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. AS I SLOWED TO A STOP, A LARGE CLOUD OF STEAM ERUPTED. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH AND MOST OF THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. NO EXPLANATION OF LACK OF WARNING LAMPS. A SECOND TWO WEEK TRIP TO THE DEALER WAS NEEDED TO RESOLVE ALL THE ISSUES. CAR STILL HAS ENGINE LIGHT ON

NHTSA ID

10608766

Incident

May 1, 2014

Mileage

12,000 mi

1ST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP NOTICED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A PINE NEEDLE ON DRIVERS SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. TRIED TO REMOVE ONLY TO DISCOVER A HAIRLINE CRACK. CALLED DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE AS IT WAS 99% A ROCK CRACK. IT'S NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS CAUSED BY POOR INSTALLATION. THE [XXX] CRACK IS NOW 13 INCHES LONG JUST ACROSS MY LINE OF VISION. MY MILEAGE IS JUST OVER 5000 MILES AFTER 9 MONTHS OF USE AND FIND IT MORE THAN DIFFICULT TO PAY OVER 800.00 FOR REPLACEMENT OF SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MFG. GRRRRRRRRRR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10587577

Incident

May 31, 2013

Mileage

800 mi

KUHMO TIRE WENT FLAT AFTER ONLY 13,000 MILES, DEALER RECOMMENDS ALL TIRES BE REPLACED. I DROVE CARS WHEN THEY HAD INNER TUBES AND NEVER HAD TIRES WEAR OUT THIS FAST. *JS

NHTSA ID

10579557

Incident

Apr 12, 2014

Mileage

13,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10555019

Incident

Sep 1, 2013

Mileage

7,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10545986

Incident

Sep 18, 2013

Mileage

300 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10526050

Incident

Jul 3, 2013

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

NHTSA ID

10522854

Incident

Aug 15, 2012

Mileage

2,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10503982

Incident

Feb 4, 2013

Mileage

8,000 mi