major problems w/smart w/in 1st yr. HELP

[short93106]

I need some help to restore my faith in my smart. I am 11 months in as this cars first owner. There are only 16k miles on the little guy and 85% of those miles have been highway. I have officially taken this car in to the shop more times than I have taken our 5yr old dodge neon....DODGE NEON!!!

4 times for the same A/C problem- electrical issue shorting out the temp. gauge/regulator. Which is still currently broke because they are opening a TIPS request which means they record a diagnostic of the car and send it to germany to see what the manufacture thinks is the cause) So A\C still broken in TEXAS!! I am very glad winter is starting to arrive.

1 time to replace/update the clutch assembly because it decided to stop working at about 11k miles.

1 time to reset the gas guage

and last but not least I am taking it in this wed. to see why the rotors are warped and why there is a slow but steady fluid leak in the engine compartment leaving a nice greenish yellow puddle on my garage floor every morning.

Has anyone else had this sort of bad string of events? Or am I cursed with a lemon???

If these problems persist my wife has threatened to sell my smart and despite these problems I still love my smart and would be very bummed to send it packing.

[sato7]

"leaving a nice greenish yellow puddle on my garage floor every morning. " I think that is coolant fluid. Why dont you write a well thought out letter and Email it to Mr Shimby SP? president of smart. you can get his Email either @ smartinsider.com or from smartusa.com

[TMACK]

Well, I don't know if this is a national law, but here in Virginia, three times in for the same problem (A/C) qualifies the big yellow lemon.

No, at 7K, I have had nada problem with my smart.

[JohnnyM]

Early 2008 model quality contol issues?

[Old SGM]

My 2009 with 8500 miles, zero problem, but the gas gage does not read full until 50-80 miles after topping it off. After that the gage is right on. I can live with that as long as the bottom end of the scale is correct.

[John_H]

TMACK - since A/C isn't part of the drivetrain or safety related, you sure lemon law applies in VA?

The handling of A/C issues by SmartUSA has been abysmal. I'm sad that you've had to experience this problem, especially in Texas.

The clutch is subject to a known defect - many people have had to replace the clutch.

Did you really have to go to the shop about the gas gauge? "Geeze, I had to rotate my tires!" It's not something I'd consider important enough to throw on a list of "everything that's gone wrong with my car" and would have had it done with other work even if it meant waiting 10k miles for my next regular service.

I've not heard about warped rotors - this is new info to me.

I don't mean to come across mean but for a new model car, some issues are to be expected. If you didn't have the A/C problem, you might not be saying anything here about your issues.

Please let us know about the rotors.

I had a minor oil leak taken care of proactively last time I was in for service. I didn't know I had the issue but the smart center service guys identified the issue and set me up with a loaner for the 24 hours of recommended "set time" for the oil pan reseal.

If you have a minor leak in your antifreeze, just take care of it. Worst case: it's a leak in your reservoir and your cooling system will go dry blowing your engine which appears not to be covered under warranty. Please check your coolant reservoir level now.

The A/C issue is something SmartUSA should work harder on. Your smart center is probably doing all they know to do but they aren't armed with the knowledge, expertise, or even complete troubleshooting information (it seems) to attack this seemingly complex mechanism. It should be "just A/C" but it seems problems have been tough to address in too many shops.

[Bum-bling-B]

Originally Posted by short93106

I need some help to restore my faith in my smart. I am 11 months in as this cars first owner. There are only 16k miles on the little guy and 85% of those miles have been highway. I have officially taken this car in to the shop more times than I have taken our 5yr old dodge neon....DODGE NEON!!!

4 times for the same A/C problem- electrical issue shorting out the temp. gauge/regulator. Which is still currently broke because they are opening a TIPS request which means they record a diagnostic of the car and send it to germany to see what the manufacture thinks is the cause) So AC still broken in TEXAS!! I am very glad winter is starting to arrive.

1 time to replace/update the clutch assembly because it decided to stop working at about 11k miles.

1 time to reset the gas guage

and last but not least I am taking it in this wed. to see why the rotors are warped and why there is a slow but steady fluid leak in the engine compartment leaving a nice greenish yellow puddle on my garage floor every morning.

Has anyone else had this sort of bad string of events? Or am I cursed with a lemon???

If these problems persist my wife has threatened to sell my smart and despite these problems I still love my smart and would be very bummed to send it packing.

Let's address the A/C first. 4 times should qualify you for a lemon law. I'm not familiar with your states laws, but I'd check on that.

For the other problems. Gas Gauge 7/8 is more of a quirk than a problem. A lot of us have it - for myself I just live with it since the gauge reads fine as the fuel is used.

The clutch - a lot of people have had the problem. I've heard a very good theory on it. Drivers aren't pressing down the brake pedal fully when stopped at lights causing the car to be stopped but the clutch remains partially engaged causing it to "burn". Of course driver's shouldn't have to adjust to compensate for the car...right? Personally I put the car in neutral at lights, always have. 38k on one car and 20k on my other.

The A/C is your ace in the hole. Research that lemon law.

[TMACK]

TMACK - since A/C isn't part of the drivetrain or safety related, you sure lemon law applies in VA?

Well, shoot. I'm not a lawyer, nor do I want to be, or pretend to be, one.
If that is the lemon law limit, drivetrain or safety, to apply the big yellow, I stand corrected. I thought ANY three time unresolved problem constituted a possible lemon law candidate.

Back to school for me, eh?

On the other hand, though, JohnH is correct: a coolant leak will not stand!

[Dunerunner]

short93106 - Here are the contacts you might want to use to get some greater attention to your issues:

Address for Roger Penske

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
2555 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-0954

Tel: (248) 648-2500
Fax: (248) 648-2525

Dave Schembri's mailing address is:

smart USA
1765 Telegraph Rd.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
His direct phone line is: 248-648-2450
and his e-mail is:dschembri@smartusa.com

[NCC1701]

16 months and approaching 18K miles for me. I live 300 miles from a service center and, so far, have had no issue worthy of a visit to them (other than 10K scheduled). My car has a build date of 6/08.

Since you mentioned your Neon ... I had an early production run Neon. Purchased 3/25/1994, I drove it for 14 years. If I hadn't neglected maintenance in the last years of its life it would probably still be alive today. Yes, a DODGE NEON. Got my money's worth out of that one.