Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 smart fortwo and smart fortwo Cabriolet vehicles. Casting imperfections may result in the failure of the left front axle steering knuckle.
Steering
Smart Fortwo Steering problems by year
6 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Smart Fortwo's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.
Steering complaints by model year
Steering recalls
Latest Fortwo steering complaints
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Driver Side front wheel / maybe steering rack / etc. makes loud grinding / rubbing sound when making turn only when the weather's hot and humid and when the car has been running for about 20 min How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Noise / rubbing / grinding sound comes from the driver side front wheels or Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?...
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Yes, Service center reproduced the sound and went two levels deep to try and ascertain the origin but to no avail. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? YES Has been inspected multiple times by different mechanics costing hundreds of dollars with still no diagnostic or remedy. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No lamps or warning lights prior to problem which was first heard / discovered around 2019
2008 Smart Fortwo Pure, currently with 85,036 miles, factory equipped with optional POWER STEERING - ELECTRIC, power steering had worked fine until Fall 2020 when cold temperatures caused steering lock-up, until car interior warmed enough to unlock steering, behavior consistent throughout that winter. Once steering unlocked, steering was normal, until car sat & chilled sufficiently to re-lock steering, or fault disappeared with warmer Spring 2021 temperatures. NEW DEVELOPMENTS - December 2021, outside temperatures...
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in the 20s F, it takes much longer, 30-60 minutes or longer with heat & blower on max heat, before steering unlocks. After steering unlocks, it can seem fully unlocked, BUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES STEERING NOW GETS DANGEROUSLY STIFF AND STICKY AND STUCK-IN-POSITION MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING. Unlike some vehicles with steering lockable by key position for theft deterrence, THERE IS NO STEERING-LOCK-BASED ANTI-THEFT FEATURE ON THE FORTWO. I hope you'll agree that any vehicle whose steering may lock-up in operation at highway speeds as a function of U.S. midwestern winter temperatures has a life-threatening steering safety defect worthy of further investigation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz smart fortwo. The contact stated that while driving and making a turn, the vehicle loss power assist without warning. The vehicle was taken to new country mercedes-benz located at 1 weston st, hartford, ct 06120, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,250.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart fortwo. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v447000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-benz of south bay (3311 pacific coast hwy, torrence, ca) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Car makes loud loud noises and they telling me it was normal nothing wrong I don't think that's true can some one help me it's been like this sense I n ought it at annapolis dealership seat belt steering wheel loud noises. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 smart car fortwo. While driving 45 mph the contact noticed that the vehicle suddenly began to move to the right. When the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel he noticed that the tires would in the same direction which caused the contact to crash into a mailbox. No one was injured. A police report was not filed. The failure was not diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 23,000. Updated 8/25/10 *cn updated 08/27/10 updated 08/30/10*jb
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