NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
18 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 3, 2024
Unknown Or Other
When starting the car, the transmission will not respond to the shifter being put into any gear. A computer diagnostic says it is a communications issue. Mercedes, who sold the car to me new, refuses to do any repair work as they have discontinued Smart sales in the US. If the communications for the transmission fails during …
Read full complaint
When starting the car, the transmission will not respond to the shifter being put into any gear. A computer diagnostic says it is a communications issue. Mercedes, who sold the car to me new, refuses to do any repair work as they have discontinued Smart sales in the US. If the communications for the transmission fails during operation, this will be very dangerous. There are numerous reports on the internet of similar issues and owners trying to repair this themselves. Mercedes needs to be forced to repair what they have sold and represented. If this is a software update issue, who has the software to fix this issue? It is outrageous that NHTSA has not enforced these issues with Mercedes Benz of America.
NHTSA ODI #11606245
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2020
Unknown Or Other
I AM WRITING TO YOU TO VOICE A COMPLAINT I HAVE WITH MERCEDES-BENDS USA, LLC'S RECALL OF THEIR SMART VEHICLES, RECALL CAMPAIGN # 2018060010. IT CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR INSULATION MAT, THAT IF NOT REPLACE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL OF THE LOCAL MERCEDES-BENDS DEALER…
Read full complaint
I AM WRITING TO YOU TO VOICE A COMPLAINT I HAVE WITH MERCEDES-BENDS USA, LLC'S RECALL OF THEIR SMART VEHICLES, RECALL CAMPAIGN # 2018060010. IT CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR INSULATION MAT, THAT IF NOT REPLACE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL OF THE LOCAL MERCEDES-BENDS DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP THAT CAN REPLACE THE MAT IS EITHER IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH OR SEATTLE WASHINGTON. I RESIDE IN HELENA MONTANA WHICH IS 485 MILES FROM SALT LAKE AND 590 MILES FROM SEATTLE. THESE DISTANCES ARE TOTALLY IMPRACTICAL FOR ME TO DRIVE TO WITH THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE REQUIRE MERCEDES-BENDS TO ESTABLISH A SMART MAINTENANCE FACILITY IN CLOSER PROXIMITY TO HELENA.
NHTSA ODI #11338873
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2019
Other/unknownUnknown Or OtherFire
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE BEHIND ME AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AS THE FIRE ENGULFED THE REMAINDER OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11172272
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2018
Unknown Or Other
SMART CAR RECALL I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 3, 2018 AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO CONTACT ME BACK - I AM STILL WAITING. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME ONCE THEY HAD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11122678
67,000 miles · May 1, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire
I WAS ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE, AS I MOVED TO THE SHOULDER IT DIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE RADIO CUT OFF, THE HORN STAYED ON, ALL THE WIPERS WENT FULL FORCE AND THE DOORS LOCKED. WHEN I FINALLY KICKED THE DOOR OPEN I WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE GOOD. I BEGAN SO …
Read full complaint
I WAS ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL, THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE, AS I MOVED TO THE SHOULDER IT DIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE RADIO CUT OFF, THE HORN STAYED ON, ALL THE WIPERS WENT FULL FORCE AND THE DOORS LOCKED. WHEN I FINALLY KICKED THE DOOR OPEN I WENT TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE GOOD. I BEGAN SO SMELL BURNING PLASTIC AND WENT TO THE DRIVER SIDE AGAIN. WHEN I GOT THERE, THERE WERE FLAMING DRIPS COMING FROM UNDER THE PANELS. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THEM OUT BUT IT WAS FUTILE. I REMOVED MYSELF FROM THE SITUATION AND CALLED FIRE RESCUE. THE WHOLE THING TOOK 2 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOAST
NHTSA ODI #11091164
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2018
Unknown Or Other
FAILURE TO REVERSE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE CAR IS IN PARK WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR
NHTSA ODI #11075348
62,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
WHILE DRIVING ON 2/7/2018 THE VEHICLES BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. ON RETURNING HOME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MANY VEHICLE OWNERS ALSO HAVE HAD THE BLOWER MOTORS FAIL ON THEIR VEHICLES. ONE PERSON REPORTED 3 FAILURES. ANOTHER REPORTED THAT HIS DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT SEVERAL "BAD" BLOWER MOTORS WERE SENT OUT. WAS FORCED TO DRIVE…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON 2/7/2018 THE VEHICLES BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. ON RETURNING HOME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MANY VEHICLE OWNERS ALSO HAVE HAD THE BLOWER MOTORS FAIL ON THEIR VEHICLES. ONE PERSON REPORTED 3 FAILURES. ANOTHER REPORTED THAT HIS DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT SEVERAL "BAD" BLOWER MOTORS WERE SENT OUT. WAS FORCED TO DRIVE HOME ON -4 DEGREE WEATHER WITHOUT DEFROSTER.
NHTSA ODI #11071857
110,000 miles · Nov 1, 2017
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherFire
I REPRESENT THE OWNERS OF THIS 2009 SMART FORTWO VEHICLE. MY CLIENT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER WORK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, MY CLIENT WAS AWOKEN BY HIS SON WHO SMELLED SMOKE. MY CLIENT FOLLOWED THE SMOKE TO THE GARAGE WHERE HE FOUND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. IT APP…
Read full complaint
I REPRESENT THE OWNERS OF THIS 2009 SMART FORTWO VEHICLE. MY CLIENT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER WORK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, MY CLIENT WAS AWOKEN BY HIS SON WHO SMELLED SMOKE. MY CLIENT FOLLOWED THE SMOKE TO THE GARAGE WHERE HE FOUND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. IT APPEARED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGHOUT THE GARAGE AND INTO THE HOUSE. THE PROPERTY DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE, INCLUDING TOTALING BOTH VEHICLES IN THE GARAGE AND EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11042163
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire
MY 2009 SMART FORTWO CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE YESTERDAY AND BURNED. WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO THE LOCAL POST OFFICE, THE CAR?S WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND THEN THE HORN BEGAN TO HONK AS WELL. I GOT INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I SAW SOMETHING COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR BUT NO FLAMES. I G…
Read full complaint
MY 2009 SMART FORTWO CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE YESTERDAY AND BURNED. WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO THE LOCAL POST OFFICE, THE CAR?S WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND THEN THE HORN BEGAN TO HONK AS WELL. I GOT INTO A PARKING SPACE AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I SAW SOMETHING COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR BUT NO FLAMES. I GOT OUT AND WENT INTO THE POST OFFICE TO GET MY MAIL. WHILE IN THERE I HEARD SEVERAL PEOPLE YELLING THAT A CAR WAS ON FIRE. I RUSHED OUTSIDE TO SEE MY CAR FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I LOST ALL MY THINGS IN THE CAR; LAPTOP, TABLET, CELLPHONE AND MOST OF ALL ALL MY BUSINESS PAPERWORK, CONTACTS, ETC.
NHTSA ODI #11024388
68,000 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I HAD REACHED ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR JUST DIED. I HADN'T DONE ANYTHING, THE CAR SIMPLY DIED. WHEN I FIRST ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, IT WOULDN'T CRANK. THE LIGHTS, AIR EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL CAME ON, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T CRANK. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, I TRIED AGAIN AND LUCKILY THE…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I HAD REACHED ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR JUST DIED. I HADN'T DONE ANYTHING, THE CAR SIMPLY DIED. WHEN I FIRST ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, IT WOULDN'T CRANK. THE LIGHTS, AIR EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL CAME ON, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T CRANK. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES, I TRIED AGAIN AND LUCKILY THE CAR STARTED. BUT THIS SCARED ME AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11011774
NHTSA investigations
2EA17003 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Sep 1, 2017 · Closed Aug 21, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On April 30, 2018, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, (Mercedes-Benz) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in a vehicle fire starting from the engine compartment in 42,781 model year (MY) 2008 and 2009 Smart Fortwo cabrio and coupe vehicles (451 platform).According to Mercedes-Benz?s DIR, ?the rear insulation mat within the engine compartment might deform, deteriorate, loosen and over time, subsequently be able to contact hot components of the exhaust system.This could lead to an ignition of the insulation mat and possible fire in the engine compartment.?The US-specification exhaust system has an external catalytic converter packaged close to the insulation mat, where temperatures in the vicinity of the insulation mat reach high values.Over time, these temperatures can lead to a change in the insulation mat's material characteristics and ultimately allow the material to deform. Depending on the magnitude and the specific location of the deformation, the insulation mat could contact hot components of the exhaust system and ignite.Mercedes-Benz will replace the rear insulation mat on the affected vehicles with the improved mat first implemented in the United States in MY 2010 vehicles.ODI?s analysis of fire incident field data reported to NHTSA and Mercedes-Benz show an increasing trend of non-crash fires in the subject vehicles that begins after 4 years of service and accelerates after 7 years of service.The analysis shows that this trend is driven by fires occurring in the engine compartment.Forensic investigations of fires occurring in the past year identified the insulation mat as a likely or possible cause of most of the fires originating in the engine compartment.This investigation is closed based on Mercedes-Benz insulation mat recall.For more information about field data trends and fire investigations, see the closing resume in the document file for this investigation.
PE16016 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Dec 16, 2016 · Closed Nov 20, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-016 to investigate eight complaints alleging incidents of engine compartment fire while driving or shortly after engine shutdown in model year (MY) 2008 through 2009 Smart Fortwo vehicles.The complaints appeared to indicate an increasing trend, with all eight fires occurring since January 2015.As part of PE16-016, ODI analyzed information related to incidents reported to the Office by consumers, analyzed field data and technical information submitted by Mercedes-Benz USA (Mercedes) in response to the PE16-016 information request letter, and analyzed non-crash vehicle fire claim data provided by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).To date, ODI's analysis of incidents reported by consumers and provided by Mercedes has identified 27 incidents of open flame fires originating in the engine compartments of the subject vehicles, 14 of which were reported to ODI by Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and 18 involving complaints or field reports to Mercedes (5 of the incidents were reported to both ODI and Mercedes).One incident reported to Mercedes includes an allegation of an injury from smoke inhalation.Nineteen (19) of the incidents occurred since January 2015.Mercedes has only investigated 2 of the 27 fire incidents, and the company was unable to identify a vehicle-based cause for either incident.To further assess incident rates and trends, ODI requested fire claim data for the subject vehicles and eight peer vehicles from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).HLDI collects insurance claim data from companies representing over 80 percent of the market for private passenger vehicle insurance in the United States.ODI?s analysis of the HLDI data, which covered the period from 2010 through late-2016, found that the MY 2008 Fortwo vehicles had a significantly higher claim frequency than its peers and, similar to ODI?s complaint trend, experienced a sharp increase in claims in 2015.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA17-003) to continue to investigate the high frequency and increasing trend of non-crash engine compartment fire incidents in the subject vehicles.The VOQs associated with the opening of this investigation were:10676359, 10780222, 10790017, 10820891, 10872656, 10944676, 10916505, 10924311, 10924637, 10939504, 10945296, 10993895, 11011100, 11011565.
Illustration