2013 Smart Fortwo Problems

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

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.

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)

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.