2008 smart Fortwo: engine stalls while driving

Filed Apr 14, 2015 · Electrical · 29,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. Also, while attempting to reverse, the gear shifter failed to remain in the correct gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed there was an electrical failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 82,500 miles · AZ

While driving at night at about 45 miles per hour, I was shifting into fifth gear and the car just went blank. The lights went out and all noise ceased to exist. At first it was a bit of a shock, so I immediately pulled off of the road onto the dirt. Luckily there were no cars around as the sudden lose of power could have caused someone to run into me, as I had no lights. After looking around the insde of the car I noticed that the key was in the off position. The key on this car is in the middle console, right next to the gear shift selector. I determined that upon shifting my jacket sleeve had brushed against the key, and becuase the key is so easy to turn off from the on position, the key just turned off while driving. This was the first occurrance of this, as it happend one more time. I have had to remember not to leave my hand down by the shift lever, in fear of turning off the key without knowing it.

Filed Feb 18, 2014 · Engine · 39,457 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo passion convertible. The contact stated while driving highway speeds, the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the engine wiring harness was touching the body of the vehicle causing a short circuit. In addition, the contact mentioned that the engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that one of the cylinder valves burned causing the failure and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 39,457 and the current mileage was 48,500.

Filed Nov 19, 2013 · Transmission · 71,300 miles · NY · crash · 2 injuries

The 2008 smart car, has been consistently, shifting into neutral, while driving, usually, when entering, or exiting a highway, or at an intersection (speed changes). The car shifts into neutral, and then usually shuts down, causing the vehicle to be rear ended, from unsuspecting drivers behind this vehicle..the problem started when the car, would not shift into reverse, while parked..smart offered a software fix, to address that issue. Had that done, then problem progressed, to shifting to neutral while driving, and stalling out...at times car, would restart, but it would not shift into gear, indicating only a flashing neutral position. At times, car would not start at all, because would not know what gear it was in...if waited 10-20 minutes, or several hours, it might restart, and shift, for a short period, before it did the same thing again...apparently it's a common problem, with the smart car forums, full of complaints, about the 2008 year, with smart co., at times, authorizing repairs, and replacement with 2009 mechanisms, that do not have the same problems as the 2008 model year. There should definitely be a recall for the 2008 smart car, model year, before someone is killed, entering, exiting a highway, at a railroad crossing, or at an intersection, where the car, shifts into neutral, won't shift out, and shuts off... Thank you

Filed Nov 19, 2013 · Transmission · 71,350 miles · NY · crash · 2 injuries

The 2008 smart car, has been consistently, shifting into neutral, while driving, usually, when entering, or exiting a highway, or at an intersection (speed changes). The car shifts into neutral, and then usually shuts down, causing the vehicle to be rear ended, from unsuspecting drivers behind this vehicle..the problem started when the car, would not shift into reverse, while parked..smart offered a software fix, to address that issue. Had that done, then problem progressed, to shifting to neutral while driving, and stalling out...at times car, would restart, but it would not shift into gear, indicating only a flashing neutral position. At times, car would not start at all, because would not know what gear it was in...if waited 10-20 minutes, or several hours, it might restart, and shift, for a short period, before it did the same thing again...apparently it's a common problem, with the smart car forums, full of complaints, about the 2008 year, with smart co., at times, authorizing repairs, and replacement with 2009 mechanisms, that do not have the same problems as the 2008 model year. There should definitely be a recall for the 2008 smart car, model year, before someone is killed, entering, exiting a highway, at a railroad crossing, or at an intersection, where the car, shifts into neutral, won't shift out, and shuts off... Thank you