How many Broken Gear Shifters?

[smarteepants]

Being a Smart owner for a couple of weeks now, this "gear shifter problem" has me a little concerned, even though mine seems fine and I love my car.

So my question is:

How many U.S. Smart owners are there currently and how many gear shifter problems have been reported?

[jwight]

A search for "shifter" will get you a bunch of threads. Problem is this forum has only a small percentage of current smart owners, so we have no idea of the real answers to your questions. I recall maybe 4 or 5 actual broken shifter posts, but there could be more. Only smart USA really knows.

[Steven79]

With everything I've been reading, it almost seems like its just a matter of time until the shifters fail in the first few batches of vehicles shipped over to the states.

Please understand, I am not here "trolling". I have a 1228 reservation and have been highly anticipating the delivery of my smart. I just honestly think that there is a serious design flaw that is taking way too long to address.

This problem has been reported for quite a while now, there should be absolutely NO excuse for smart to continue and ship cars over with a known defect.

This isn't a radio or AC problem which has little consequence if it fails. It is the shifter mechanism which may potentially leave you stranded somewhere, miss a meeting, late for an appointment, etc.

Smart, please fix this OR let us know when it was fixed.

[Andrewlcox]

To: all
From: My gear shifter broke.

I need to tell everyone that I think I might have fixed or put a bandaid on the problem. I like to tinker with things but was afraid to break the shifter even more but here is what I found.

If you pull straight up on the knob, it pops right off. That exposes a white plastic T that moves up and down and unlocks the shifter to allow it to travel in its full range of motion (park to drive). I don't see any screws or adjustments but, and this is a questionable but, when I reinstalled the knob, the shifter performs flawlessly. It (the button on the knob) felt like it was in a bind but now it isn't. This was way too easy to be a broken piece that needs replaced. I can't explain it but it almost seems like a ghost problem.

I am getting ready to call off the tow truck until this happens again and I can't seem to fix it.

I don't want smart to pay for all that gas and service to haul my car to and from STL if it isn't broke. If it is broke for real, I won't hesitate to call for help.

Hope this helps anyone in the future with a similar problem.

Andy

[giffSCPA]

Originally Posted by smarteepants

Being a Smart owner for a couple of weeks now, this "gear shifter problem" has me a little concerned, even though mine seems fine and I love my car.

So my question is:

How many U.S. Smart owners are there currently and how many gear shifter problems have been reported?

The other day I experienced the gear shifter problem**Car was flat bedded to Pittsburgh, and is now being worked on @ smartcenter-Pittsburgh; I expect it to be flat bedded back (135 miles) back to me in State College, PA (north central PA) shortly. Parts were needed by them (which they received overnight) for the repair.
I do hope this is not a recurring problem.

I was an 1180 and my car, a passion CABRIO, was delivered originally at smartcenter-Pittsburgh on 3/6/2008. I had driven ( on highway and in town) about 375 miles when the shifter would not go into reverse nor park. the button on the front top of the shifter would not "press in" to permit the movement to reverse and park. There was no problem starting engine in neutral and driving in "drive." only.
GIFF ALBRIGHT State College, PA giffSCPA

[SmartBob]

Andrew, thanks for the post. If I ever get my car, I have your post saved in my tips folder.

[deaconpark]

I have the shifter problem. Car is at the dealer right now. Hope to have it fixed soon b/c I got a lousy C230 for a loaner and it just isn't any fun to drive Russ
BTW got mine 1/19 with production date of 12/07. I now have 2400 miles.

[PassionforPassionCT]

This is VERY disconcerting, I hope that this is no longer a problem at the factory. I am also sure this is the reason why cars are being held at the dock for a while.

[SMART]

Originally Posted by deaconpark

I have the shifter problem. Car is at the dealer right now. Hope to have it fixed soon b/c I got a lousy C230 for a loaner and it just isn't any fun to drive Russ
BTW got mine 1/19 with production date of 12/07. I now have 2400 miles.

Hey, you got a loaner.... thats a lot better then the rest of us...

[Steven79]

Anyone else with the problem care to chime in?

A production date of your smart would also be greatly appreciated.