| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive smart fortwo repairs by problem area
Engine (44%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (27%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (4%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (16%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 45 repairs.
smart fortwo repair cost distribution
$2500+ (31%)
$1000 - $2499 (69%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 32 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 36000 mi US $2000 |
smart center removed and replaced complete cylinder head due to misfiring caused by burned valve seats on #2 cylinder. This would have been a $2K repair if smart USA had not covered most of the cost, even though the car was out of warranty. |
2009 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 68000 mi US $2956 |
A/C was blowing hot after the car came to a stop. Diagnosed as the radiator fan and its housing being distorted. Also while there, engine head gasket and spark plugs replaced, with oil change. There may have been more, but I can't place my hands on the shop report. The primary issue was lack of reliable A/C. |
| 39000 mi US $1300 |
Replaced gear selector unit inside of car |
| 52000 mi US $2500 |
Overheated, bad head gasket. Replace head gasket, mill head, replace/grind & seat valves, replace water pump. |
| 51800 mi US $1600 |
replaced fan motor |
| 96500 mi US $850 |
Fuel pump failed |
| 94000 mi US $1500 |
Clutch actuator motor shaft broke; had to replace the entire clutch actuator (could not just buy the motor) |
| 95300 mi US $560 |
Car died after clutch actuator repair within one day. Mercedes would not replace the unit under warranty. Repaired Transmission Control Module and Starter Wire. |
| 102000 mi US $500 |
air intake system cracked. Instead of replacing, use a bicycle tire to patch the hose |
| 111000 mi US $500 |
Locking mechanisms for headlights broke |
| 35000 mi US $750 |
roof sun shade would not open or close |
| 39000 mi US $1296 |
Oxygen Sensor and Sender Unit replaced |
| 44000 mi US $5000 |
blown head gasket. replaced head gasket, thermostat and AC control unit |
| 55000 mi US $650 |
Exhaust system. Muffler failed. |
| 57300 mi US $1000 |
Alternator is overcharging the system. |
| 58000 mi US $5500 |
Low compression in cyl 1 = valve job. Engine still runs a little rough on occasion AFTER the $5500 valve job. And the wrench symbol still pops up on the dash. But likely an electrical symptom. Intermittent loud foghorn noise from subwoofer that continues after car is shut off if lights are left on. Mechanic replaced evaporator valve underneath subwoofer; he dared not look into electrical stray current. The car still doesn't go into reverse on occasion. I did not take car to Mercedes because you at dealership you speak with a concierge, not a mechanic. Ridiculous. |
| 74000 mi US $3900 |
Found piece of spring on driveway. Had front end springs and struts and bearings w/ plates replaced & aligned. Replaced windshield, spark plugs & head gasket. Mechanic noted previous work (valve job) was VERY sloppy. |
2009 smart fortwo 2dr Convertible
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 21080 mi C $500 |
When temperature below -20C, could not shift out of park. Had to run car with heater full blast until cabin warm, about 1 hour, before being able to shift into drive. DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM; DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE! At highway speed, ABS warning light comes on. Dealer stated repair would involve replacing axle. Car rated at 5.8 litres/100km. I am getting 9.8/100km. I have repeatedly brought this issue to Mercedes Benz Dealer (Barrie, On) to no avail. Left headlamp continually burns out. Have replaced lamp five times! |
| 25720 mi C $175 |
Pressure sensor valves on winter tires were corroded and rotten. Attempted a repair, but not successful. Sensor valves had to be replaced with non-sensor valves. |
| 27280 mi C $250 |
Flex pipe repair |
| 31000 mi C $120 |
They checked everything out, and updated the computer module. There was a $120 charge for checking out the system. There was no cost for the update, nor for a full inspection. No charge for the replacement of the left burned-out headlamp. |
| 31100 mi C $1000 |
ABS ring on left rear axle cracked. Had to replace the entire rear left axle |
| 31620 mi C $710 |
tie rod end replaced Exhaust gasket between converter and muffler |
| 64000 mi US $1100 |
Would not shift. Stuck in 1st gear. Shifting system replaced in a full day. Flat bedded the smart to the Portland Or dealer. Picked the smart up the following day. |
| 62900 mi US $100 |
Brake switch. Would not allow transmission to shift out of Park |
| 66000 mi US $149 |
Battery died. Unable to start the smart. OEM battery gave me 8 trouble free years. |
| 34300 mi US $1100 |
Failure of "Clutch Auctuator" on the "Automated Manual Transmission". |
| 41000 mi US $1600 |
total clutch rebuild. |
2008 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 89560 mi C $200 |
Exhaust system broken flex pipe. Dealer wanted to replace the whole system, got my mechanic to replace the flex for a small fraction of the price. |
| 95640 mi C $1900 |
Car won't go in reverse. Dealer did software update but problem persisted. All clutch components replaced on the following visit. |
| 96300 mi US $2000 |
Replaced leaking valve gasket allowed oil to pool around spark plugs. Caused electrical malfunction. |
| 49800 mi US $3000 |
cylinder head replaced due to worn valve guides leaky oil pan |
| 38280 mi C $2700 |
Throttle valve was jammed shut and needed to be replaced. $2000.00 just for the valve. M.B. (Cadilac $500.00) |
| 62000 mi C $300 |
broken pipe needed complete exhaust system |
| 20000 mi US $200 |
20,000 mile checkup. Really pleased, dealer did checkup, tightened door panels, etc. to eliminate whistle. |
| 127000 mi US $3000 |
oil leak |
| 67000 mi US $100 |
A month ago, the problem seemed to be the clutch plate. This time it seems it was the clutch actuator. I think that either both were faulty or that earlier repair was imperfect. Car drove fine for 2 wks after it but then broke down again. Fine now |
| 106000 mi US $140 |
There was some problem with the electrics, and this appears to have been related to the air pressure sensors that had been malfunctioning. The sensors were fixed, and I also needed (and received) the most updated software. Cheap repair! |
| 110000 mi US $1500 |
Had to replace the clutch plate (a 2nd time). This car has a LOT of miles, and the ride has been really rough since this winter. |
| 151800 mi US $480 |
A rear tone ring lost a cog and had to be replaced. The car would brake, but the ABS was not operational. |
| 162200 mi US $3000 |
The alternator belt snapped. This caused the heating pump to stop, too. Smart Roadside told me that driving was fine, but a few miles later, I'd fried the engine :( |
| 168000 mi US $131 |
The clutch plate broke (again -- this was my 3rd!). I'm not sure what caused it. And there were other issues as well. Total cost to repair would have been $1,600, same as payoff. I have since sold the car. It was a good run! |
| 55000 mi US $800 |
I could move the gear selector but the transmission would not select a gear and would beep. Moving forward in Drive (when it worked) would fix problem temporarily. Car fine after clutch reflash. |
| 84800 mi US $1300 |
Starter failed, a bunch of wiring to the starter also got fried. |
| 89000 mi US $1400 |
Muffler failed. Secondary air injection pump replaced. |
| 91000 mi US $1900 |
ABS would turn on randomly, had to return TWICE and spent 1900$ Both rear axles and one ABS sensor replaced, before finally after the third trip to dealer problem turned out to be a loose wiring harness for ABS. |
| 27000 mi US $355 |
code p0442 - leak in evaporator emissions system replace purge valve. |
| 49600 mi US $300 |
replaced door hinge, driver side |
| 52000 mi US $1019 |
new axle seals needed new transmission mount needed engine soundproofing cover replaced, clips failed and became fire hazard falling onto engine. |
| 41000 mi US $200 |
Wheel valve stem guide cracked. Replaced with new part. Replaced broken antenna mast and base Engine compartment latch won't hold. Replaced captive nut for hold screw. |
| 45000 mi US $185 |
No cold air - they recharged the system and looked for leaks. No leak found. |
| 70700 mi US $1200 |
Fuel mixture rich, determined two intake gaskets needed replacement Air bag system deactivated, required replacement of seat belt tensioner |
| 82000 mi US $275 |
Replace muffler |
| 102000 mi US $500 |
Slow leak on AC system, requires recharge every year or two |
| 103000 mi US $600 |
Replaced wheel bearing, springs, bushings, control arm |
| 39300 mi US $1600 |
Shifting was choppy, not sure how it was fixed |
| 33580 mi C $209 |
Outside temp sensor failed. Was replaced. Unclear if repair successful. CEL came back on afterwards, the went back off. Need cold weather to test. |
| 34500 mi C $1455 |
Muffler flex pipe was broken. Loose and melting back bumper. Muffler was replaced. Sunshade was off the track and not opening or closing. Needed to be replaced as the track was broken. |
| 38440 mi C $100 |
Two more tire valves replaced when switched out the tires and put on the winter tires. The other two now cracked and broke when changing tires. They are all old and 'dying'. The base was rusted or corroded and the plastic part cracked quickly. |
| 27000 mi US $1544 |
faulty gas cap New clutch plate. Nothing covered under warranty!!!!!!! |
| 31600 mi US $400 |
needed a muffler assembly due to break in connecting metal hose leading to carburetor, probably from bad pot holes on NJ roads shaking car a lot. |
| 35000 mi US $1000 |
starter went |
| 45000 mi US $500 |
Fan motor in climate system was inoperable; was replaced |
| 36000 mi US $100 |
Clutch actuator was making noise |
| 39000 mi US $100 |
Failed Shifter total repair cost 877usd |
| 44000 mi US $650 |
Heater fan & Motor replaced |
| 48000 mi US $1100 |
Tie-rods, torsion bar, All front end parts replaced except steering and struts |
2008 smart fortwo 2dr Convertible
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 46000 mi US $2600 |
replaced main computer and throttle body! replaced throtle body |
| 24000 mi US $100 |
secondary air injection valve stuck. Part replaced. |
| 44000 mi US $1300 |
clutch actuator broken |
| 45000 mi US $785 |
clutch issues again |
| 60000 mi US $520 |
air pump |
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks and Convertibles.
See TrueDelta's information for all smart models.
