The Two Things You Need To Watch Out For
After speaking with other owners, one which spent considerable time talking to the mechanic at the Smart dealership, there seems to be two issues that are known, one of them rather major.
1. The shifter has a defect that will, one day, fail to shift your car into gear. If you shift into reverse, then put it into D, the shifter may fail. If it starts working again you need to contact Smart FAST before it fails completely and you're stuck somewhere waiting for a flatbed.
2. Your engine light will come on eventually. Don't let anyone just reset it, they just need to replace a simple $40.00 part. I have forgotten what the error code is but it has to do with the injection system/computer.
3. If you have the sunroof with the screen, it works like blinds. If you roll it back from a closed position to half open then close it again, it may, or will eventually, do what blinds do and stop working properly. The solution is to "finish what you start"... don't close after opening half way.
4. The radio will turn on when the car starts every time. Damned annoying to me but not a deal-breaker.
Okay, that's four things, two rather minor.
The maintenance guy at Smart says those are the only issues they are aware of country-wide.
1. The shifter has a defect that will, one day, fail to shift your car into gear. If you shift into reverse, then put it into D, the shifter may fail. If it starts working again you need to contact Smart FAST before it fails completely and you're stuck somewhere waiting for a flatbed.
2. Your engine light will come on eventually. Don't let anyone just reset it, they just need to replace a simple $40.00 part. I have forgotten what the error code is but it has to do with the injection system/computer.
3. If you have the sunroof with the screen, it works like blinds. If you roll it back from a closed position to half open then close it again, it may, or will eventually, do what blinds do and stop working properly. The solution is to "finish what you start"... don't close after opening half way.
4. The radio will turn on when the car starts every time. Damned annoying to me but not a deal-breaker.
Okay, that's four things, two rather minor.
The maintenance guy at Smart says those are the only issues they are aware of country-wide.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by SATO on -
BOGUS....there are more issues!
* the drivers side mirror vibrates so its hard to see back to the left of you.
* the radio on issue is not wide spread... some do and some don't!
lets see what else others have had!
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Permalink Reply by Scott on -
1 - Took me 90 seconds to lube the shifter. Made a movie showing how...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYtyP3kn1dE
2 - Yes, easy part change.
3 - My sunscreen is fine.
4 - Just turn radio volume to 0, or input to Aux, same result as off.
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Permalink Reply by Jim Yedor on
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My check engine light came on at about 500 miles- smog system related. The shifter lock failed at the dealer while there on a visit. Cabrio-so no sunscreen. Radio? Doesn't bother me.
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Permalink Reply by Kevinb on -
When I picked up my smart (last Saturday!) I asked the service dept about item 1 to make sure they had lubed the shifter and checked it to the extent possible to prevent problems. They are aware of the issue and stated they had done what was needed.
For issue 4 - The manual for the radio 10 says that when the car is started, it will return to the state it was in when the engine was turned off. That has been my experience so far. Anytime I turn off the radio before the engine - then the radio is off when I start the engine again.
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Permalink Reply by Cains10 on -
The other known major issue is the clear roof panel coming loose and making a big clunking sound over bumps. Requires roof replacement.
At least our shifter failed in drive/neutral. Pushed the car back out of the parking space and drove to the dealer. Unfortunately, replaced with the same part; no S/B yet to prevent it from happening again.
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Permalink Reply by L Kern on -
But #4 is certainly true in my case and two other local Smart owners. So perhaps this issue is more insidious than meets the eye. Knowing the Smart is heavy on electronics, there is some concern on our part.
Bubble is intact. :)
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Permalink Reply by L Kern on
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I wouldn't call my observations on the known issues "bogus". These are documented and I would tend to believe the mechanic at Smart on these. For the vibrating mirror I think it might go in the "one-off" column.
Have it fixed. Probably just a bushing loose or missing?
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Permalink Reply by mvaldes on
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From what I've read on other forums, the "auto-on" radio is a radio 9 "feature." I have the upgraded system (the 10) and it doesn't come on automatically. It has other annoyances such as a CD player that can take forever to read a disk. But, imo, none of these are really a big deal.
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Permalink Reply by A2Jack on -
SCOA. Who are you? How can a list reply to another list ? Is this post bogus ? A2Jack
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Permalink Reply by bob/cathy on -
Owned a 68 VW auto/stick shift,back in '68. Shifter failed on honeymoon.Would not move.Had about 2000 miles at the time.VW ,trailered it to nearest dealer,and returned it.Is this about the same system they had back then? Hydrostatic? Or a new ,improved system with another glitz?
We were figured for next Aug. but think it has moved to June,as long as it is after January,it can be anytime for us.
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Permalink Reply by GEORGE MAXWELL on -
The requirement for placing a $40.00 part into the Smart Car vehicle to correct a transmission/fuel injection system computer malfunction sounds like an issue that American automotive mfrs. would have to address as a "RECALL" affecting all vehicles that have this problem? Safety issue? Mfr mistake? Has anyone contacted the Smart Car mfr and asked the question?
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