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Engine & cooling

Smart Coupe Engine problems by year

20 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Smart Coupe's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20168160
20152000
20144000
20136000

Latest Coupe engine complaints

2015 Smart CoupeElectrical systemEngine & coolingFire

Sunday 3/23 I was driving west on 225 heading towards work, all of a sudden the check engine light comes on and all kinds of other lights on the dash came on. I got pulled over and looked in the rear view mirror I seen flames. Quickly grabbed my stuff and got out of the car. The investigation at the time stated most of the heat was coming from the engine

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11650674
2016 Smart CoupeElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system4 injuries

Car shuts down while driving. This happens usually after quick stops or sudden starts like at a red light or when a car suddenly stops on front of me. I have had this issue happen to me several times. I have tried contacting Mercedes-Benz and the dealership where I bought tge car but they do nothing. I need help getting this issue repaired.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11598820
2016 Smart CoupeEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated with a loud whirring noise. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air intake changeover valves had failed. The independent mechanic advised the contact that the parts needed to fix the vehicle were difficult to locate. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that about a month later, the check engine warning light illuminated...

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again. The contact took the vehicle to the same independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a secondary air injection pump failure. The independent mechanic advised the contact that the parts were difficult to find. The contact found the parts, and the vehicle was repaired. The check engine warning light illuminated again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 58,299.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11585774
2016 Smart CoupeEngine & coolingDriver assistance1 injury

The car just shuts off while I am driving. I can tell now when it is about to shut off. I have had this problem since I purchased the car in 2016. I have taken the car to the dealership and called Mercedes Benz several times and they will not do anything. I will die because the car is getting worse and shuts off more frequently now. Can you get Mercedes Benz to help me? They told me that they don't care if I die due to a bad product they sold me. Please help. Please, I am begging you I do not want to hurt someone else due to this bad car.

Filed Incident Engine · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11517032
2016 Smart CoupeSteeringElectrical systemEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

Since I purchased the car from Hampton Auto Mall 757 865 8000 there has been an issue with the steering, brakes, gas system, fuel gauge etc.. The dealership or Mercedes refuses to fix the problem since I purchased it in 2016. I have almost died due to steering problems and gas tank. Please get a mechanic to check the steering and for small tears in your gas tank on Smarts. The dealership I bought my car from refuses to fix issue because of lemon laws the Service Advisor told me so.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11457491
2014 Smart CoupeEngine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 smart fortwo. The contact was driving at 60 mph, when the vehicle lost power and the contact noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and the tow truck driver informed the contact that the radiator had burst. The contact notified park place motorcars mercedes-benz dallas (6113 lemmon ave, dallas, tx 75209) of the failure and was informed that there was no recall for the failure experienced. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as an overheated engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11405076
2013 Smart CoupeTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

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...

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paying for this piece of junk! ([redacted]) owner. Redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11315586
2014 Smart CoupeEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 smart fortwo. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed an oil leak. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to euro motorcars germantown (located at 19750 germantown rd, germantown, md 20874, (301) 601-5500) where it was diagnosed that the driver's side gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,666.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11288478
2016 Smart CoupeBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

My 2016 smart car at only 51000 miles had transmission failure while driving down freeway almost resulting in crash. My car went from 65 miles a hour, then warning light said transmission failure and car was unable to excel rate or break, the emergency break was the only thing that saved me. Mercedes diagnosed a wig was able to fly up under car and get wrapped around axels, transmission, and break belts. The car was totaled from a wig. This is unacceptable that the underneath is left vulnerable to a object being able to cause so much damage, that could have easily resulted in a fatal car crash. This happened on hwy 59 south houston, while driving.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11256423
2015 Smart CoupeEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 smart fortwo. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking noise coming from the engine compartment and the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of north olmsted (28450 lorain rd, north olmsted, oh 44070, (440) 716-2700) where it was diagnosed that the steering angle sensor caused the anti-lock brakes to seize. Also, the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty would not cover the repair. The failure mileage was 12,000.

Filed Incident Traction control system · EngineNHTSA 11166341
2016 Smart CoupeElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

Tysinger replaced the fuel tank on 08/30/2018. The car has had problems with the fuel tank since I purchased the car. The car has been making a loud bang and then there is a strong smell of smoke afterwards. This has happened at least 45 times since I purchased the car, I thought the problem would go away, but it has not. The car stalls at red lights and during stop and go traffic, there is a strong smell of smoke after it stalls.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11129713
2013 Smart CoupeEngine & coolingFire

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...

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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

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11033202
2016 Smart CoupeEngine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 smart fortwo. After stopping the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormal odor and observed smoke coming from the engine without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 400.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10969003
2016 Smart CoupeTransmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

On steep uphills and when you have come to a stop because of a red light or a stop sign, the engine seems to be too weak to push the transmission forward and actually the car my roll back and brakes go in a lock mode which creates a big safety issue.

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10885818
2013 Smart CoupeEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10743284

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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