| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
smart fortwo repairs by problem area
Engine (28%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (4%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (12%)
Other (9%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 585 repairs.
smart fortwo transmission repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (15%)
$500 - $999 (12%)
$100 - $499 (21%)
< $100 (51%)
Chart based on 78 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2014 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 20500 mi | Passenger side axle seal was leaking. They replaced it and the axle (if the axles surface isn't smooth where it contacts the seal it will destroy the seal, probably what happened here). |
2013 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 37382 mi | Leaking Rear Main Seal Replaced Seal |
| 45895 mi | Leaking Rear Seal Replaced Rear Seal |
| 50000 mi US $350 |
Radiator Fan was making Horrible noise. Replaced, the fan is also the radiator, and condensor mounting frame, so it is a decently complex job. |
2012 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 45200 mi US $100 |
Programming upgrade |
2009 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 31000 mi US $130 |
Transmission slow to engage into reverse at times or will not engage until lever is moved from R to P back to R. Software error. Software update was performed of the Sprintshift Control Module to resolve the complaint. |
| 37200 mi C $760 |
The reverse gear sometimes does not engage. Needs to go in for another trip to be diagnosed. |
| 37200 mi | The reverse software module was upgraded. |
| 15000 mi US $158 |
Would not go into reverse. Would lock up in neutral. Update computer. Resync trans & shifter. |
| 26507 mi US $259 |
On 1st startup, did not engage reverse. Harsh shifting. "Banged" into gear. Dealer could not duplicate problem. Nothing repaired. Paid for "diagnosis" |
| 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. |
| 10500 mi | Car would intermittently not move when in reverse. Dealer upgraded and replaced clutch plate. Also performed 10K maintenance. Problem seems to be solved. |
| 32200 mi US $730 |
Clutch actuator failed. aluminum casing corroded past the gasket and allowed water to enter. water worked its' way up to the electric motor leaving entire mechanism useless. Replace actuator with gently used one DIY. Cost: $200 |
| 16000 mi US $150 |
Smog cert., flush brake fluid, computer update to correct intermittent not shifting into reverse. Total was $354. |
| 39000 mi US $1300 |
Replaced gear selector unit inside of car |
| 36 mi US $400 |
Motor mounts replaced |
| 43700 mi | Leaking fluid |
| 58000 mi US $5500 |
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. |
2009 smart fortwo 2dr Convertible
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 34300 mi US $1100 |
Failure of "Clutch Auctuator" on the "Automated Manual Transmission". |
| 34600 mi | Automated Manual Clutch continues to malfunction. dealer installed a new shifting mechanism. Also updated the transmission computer program. Tranny malfunctioned again in about two two weeks. I have learned to live with it including an "always on" CEL. |
| 41000 mi US $1600 |
total clutch rebuild. |
| 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! |
| 29140 mi | Transmission would only drive in 4th gear. When vehicle was parked, and then restarted, would not go into any gear, even though shift lever was operable. Car towed to the mechanic. Shop diagnosed sensor problem, not able to repair. Then it went away. |
| 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. |
2008 smart fortwo
Engine not specified
| 14000 mi | Clutch plate needed replacing. Vehicle would refuse to shift on occassion. |
2008 smart fortwo 2dr Hatch
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 43000 mi | 07/10/2012...42,796 miles 1. Transmission had randomly / weekly issue getting into 'R'everse. Was remedied by a software update for Transmission Control Module. |
| 7000 mi | Nothing happened when Reverse selected - transmission in neutral state. Intermittent problem happening about once a day. Clutch plate replaced under warranty. |
| 103000 mi | Have to replace rear axle seals, improperly installed last time. Still haven't fixed, parts weren't in at the time of maintenance. Parts warranty will cover. |
| 21000 mi | Clutch mechanism in automated manual was defective. Common problem in 2008 Smart, defect causes intermittent problem getting car into gear. Dealer replaced after I had common symptom twice. |
| 27000 mi US $1544 |
New clutch plate. Nothing covered under warranty!!!!!!! |
| 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. |
| 1000 mi | Dealer requested I bring the car in for inspection of the shift linkage. |
| 23354 mi US $370 |
Tranny not consistently shifting properly. Dealer updated transmission software. |
| 54000 mi | Error codes, transmission stuck in neutral. Reset the computer to get home. Transmission uses two electric motors to shift, one was filled with goop of tranny fluid and carbon dust. Cleaned that out and reinstalled. |
| 48000 mi US $729 |
Had to have the gearshift mechanism replaced. I couldn't get the car to start and it had 3 bars across the |
| 81700 mi | Shifter got totally confused |
| 89000 mi | Problem was with updates dealing with shifter. |
| 5000 mi | Preventative lubing of the shifter. |
| 13000 mi | Problem not going into reverse. |
| 52000 mi US $1019 |
new axle seals needed |
| 3000 mi | Shifter had to be replaced. Car would not start- locked in park. |
| 14000 mi | SHIFTER COULD NOT FIND 'r'. DEALER TOLD ME HOW TO FIX AND I DID IT THE NEXT DAY(LUBRICATION OF SHIFT MECHANISM). |
| 23000 mi | Car would lose its ability to find a gear. Dealer replaced clutch and grease that controls clutch movement. |
| 137000 mi | re=program transmission no charge |
| 1000 mi | Shifter became difficult to place in Park. Lubed in 5 minute visit to dealer. |
| 36000 mi US $100 |
Clutch actuator was making noise |
| 39000 mi US $100 |
Failed Shifter total repair cost 877usd |
| 6000 mi | Auto-manual transmission would not move into another gear (stuck in drive). Repair required replacing entire gear selection mechanism by mfg, covered under standard warranty and fixed no charge. |
| 46000 mi US $120 |
car would occasionally not go into reverse; dealer applied a trans software upgrade which fixed issue. Not covered under warranty; trouble code that came back was 'P1800/implausible trans data' so they applied the upgrade and all is good |
| 40500 mi US $59 |
Would not engage in reverse gear occasionally (seemed to be in neutral). |
| 21000 mi | Clutch plate part # A-001-252-66-05 replaced for known problem with reverse gear not engaging. |
| 57000 mi US $810 |
Replaced clutch actuator. Although the actuator had been both cleaned and serviced, it failed. |
| 17000 mi US $77 |
Shifter sometimes stuck in Park. Remedy: mechanic took apart and lubricated shifter mechanism. |
| 5000 mi | The shifter would not go into Reverse or Park. |
| 30000 mi | Electronics that controlled transmission failed. |
| Shifter did not allow the button to press in and the car was either in Drive or Neutral. Wouldn't go into Park or Reverse. Dealer repaired shift lever. |
| 11000 mi | Gear shifter was getting stuck. |
| 18000 mi | When the engine was warm, Reverse would not engage. Clutch Assemby was replaced. |
| 48000 mi | Car will not shift into reverse. |
| 52000 mi | Car would not shfit into reverse, fixed. |
| 15000 mi | shifter assy replaced. car would not shift reliably. |
| 17000 mi | no reverse at morning startup |
| 17700 mi | very occasionally, the car will not shift between 1st and second. As it only happens once a week, it didn't do it for them. |
| 1000 mi | Button to gear shifter jammed making it unable to change gears. |
| 56000 mi US $350 |
replace boots |
| 65000 mi | The clutch plate failed. This part is 'meant' to fail in order to save more important parts from doing so (like the tranny). Amazingly, the dealership as well as SmartUSA decided to pick up the cost even tho I was out of warranty. Go Smart!!! |
| 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 | I am still awaiting closure on this one: The car is still in the shop. Apparently there is something wrong with the clutch actuator. Or not. We'll see. I'm hoping to get it back this Tuesday (after 8 days without it). |
| 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. |
| 65000 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! |
| 5000 mi | Stick shift required lubrication when it would not reliably go to park. |
| 56000 mi US $150 |
Flash transmission upgrade |
| 65000 mi US $50 |
Transmission had troubles going into reverse. A software updated remedied the issue. Labor charge only. |
| 8000 mi | Button you push on shift lever to go from park to reverse or drive would not work so car would not go into park, reverse or drive. Tow truck driver reported multiple pick ups of other smarts for same problem. Mfg defect? Probably. |
| 127000 mi | transmission leak |
| 18000 mi | Replaced clutch disc. Inner splines were wearing. Replaced with redesigned clutch disk with harder splines, this is where the input shaft of the transmission goes into. |
| 61000 mi US $598 |
Would not start, (three bars of death) tow to dealer, dealer replaced shifter. |
| 36900 mi | The gearshift got stuck in park and wouldn't budge. We had it towed to our local excellent mechanic and he fixed it. |
| 39300 mi US $1600 |
Shifting was choppy, not sure how it was fixed |
| 20000 mi | 2008 Smart Car was in shop for 20K mile maintenance. Shop discovered that the clutch was malfunctioning and replaced it. Transmission would not shift into gear. Happened previously but did not pay attention to problem. |
2008 smart fortwo 2dr Convertible
70-horsepower 1.0L I3 5-speed automated manual RWD
| 24000 mi | Car sometimes would not go in gear. SmartCenter replaced clutch. |
| 44000 mi US $1300 |
clutch actuator broken |
| 45000 mi US $785 |
clutch issues again |
| 101000 mi US $500 |
Clutch actuator replaced with a used unit purchased on eBay. |
| 1111 mi | Rattling noise in the drivers back panel. Linkage issue when new, Reverse was not easy |
| 45000 mi US $114 |
Coming to a stop after 45+ minutes travel, put shifter in reverse. Shifter indicates reverse and backup lights come on, but dash indicator is blank for 5-10 seconds and then warning beep gives rapid beep. |
| 24000 mi | Transmission would not engage in reverse. Replaced clutch. |
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks and Convertibles.
See TrueDelta's information for all smart models.
