I have read through the forum and have seen similar problems related to getting stuck in a particular gear. My problem is quite particular and was wondering if anyone had any advice or ideas for me. I have a 2008 model (pure) with about 6,000 miles on it.
Every few days (maybe every 20th time) I try to back out of my driveway, my car gets stuck in N. The shifter thingy down to my right indicates R (the R is lit) but the dashboard says N. I can shift it to P or D, but not to R. I fiddle with it for a while, turn the car off and back on, fiddle with it some more, and after a while I can finally get it into R.
I called my dealer and they told me to bring it in. When I got there, the service representative said that I would have to leave the car with them indefinitely. The warranty would only cover the fix if the technicians could reproduce the problem in the garage. They would try to reverse a couple of times a day until the problem manifests itself, and then they could go ahead and repair the problem. Without this diagnosis, they can't do anything for me.
I called SmartUSA and the service representative verified this for me. He was coy about how many people were actually having a similar problem, but he did tell me that it hasn't reached the level where a recall is required. His advice to me was to wait until I get stuck on the road or a parking lot and get it towed directly to the dealer. Or wait for a recall. Or leave it at the dealership indefinitely and pay for the loaner.
I can't believe I don't have any better options. The approach from both the dealer and the national representative has been evasive. Both of them implied that I was probably doing something wrong. But behind this facade I detected an underlying affirmation that I wasn't the only one to have this problem.
My best suggestion to you is; when it gets stuck in your driveway, have it towed without trying to fix it first. Obviously, if this is your primary car (or only car) you may not have that option, but if you do, LEAVE IT IN THAT CONDITION so the techs can see the problem for themselves. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Yes. I had thought of that. Should I leave the car running or what? Will they tow it with the gear in R. Sometimes when I turn it off and back on, the problem resolves itself. I am in a bit of a Catch 22 here.
I have read through the forum and have seen similar problems related to getting stuck in a particular gear. My problem is quite particular and was wondering if anyone had any advice or ideas for me. I have a 2008 model (pure) with about 6,000 miles on it.
Every few days (maybe every 20th time) I try to back out of my driveway, my car gets stuck in N. The shifter thingy down to my right indicates R (the R is lit) but the dashboard says N. I can shift it to P or D, but not to R. I fiddle with it for a while, turn the car off and back on, fiddle with it some more, and after a while I can finally get it into R.
I called my dealer and they told me to bring it in. When I got there, the service representative said that I would have to leave the car with them indefinitely. The warranty would only cover the fix if the technicians could reproduce the problem in the garage. They would try to reverse a couple of times a day until the problem manifests itself, and then they could go ahead and repair the problem. Without this diagnosis, they can't do anything for me.
I called SmartUSA and the service representative verified this for me. He was coy about how many people were actually having a similar problem, but he did tell me that it hasn't reached the level where a recall is required. His advice to me was to wait until I get stuck on the road or a parking lot and get it towed directly to the dealer. Or wait for a recall. Or leave it at the dealership indefinitely and pay for the loaner.
I can't believe I don't have any better options. The approach from both the dealer and the national representative has been evasive. Both of them implied that I was probably doing something wrong. But behind this facade I detected an underlying affirmation that I wasn't the only one to have this problem.
Anyway, what should I do? Thanks for your help!
Call Dave Schembri at Smart in their Michigan Headquarters and them them this is crap. Smart is starting to really clamp down on Warranty work since they are not selling as many cars and Penske Group is in the red. I cant believe the dealer would just leave you hanging like this. It is like the gas gauge problem on 09's. A problem they dont know how to fix and when you make it an issue of it they dont like it. The need to recall the gas gauge issue also. I think smart is really start to see and worry that the car is a fad and with no new models they will suffer in the market. Expect more cutbacks.
I had this same concern when I first acquired my '08 Passion last July. It was difficult to shift into reverse and N would appear in the dash display. A trip to the dealer and lubing of the shifter correct this concern. Hope something simple like this will take care of your issue?
I had this same concern when I first acquired my '08 Passion last July. It was difficult to shift into reverse and N would appear in the dash display. A trip to the dealer and lubing of the shifter correct this concern. Hope something simple like this will take care of your issue?
My problem is that I worry that a simple lube of the shifter would be only a temporary fix.
Call Dave Schembri at Smart in their Michigan Headquarters and them them this is crap. Smart is starting to really clamp down on Warranty work since they are not selling as many cars and Penske Group is in the red. I cant believe the dealer would just leave you hanging like this. It is like the gas gauge problem on 09's. A problem they dont know how to fix and when you make it an issue of it they dont like it. The need to recall the gas gauge issue also. I think smart is really start to see and worry that the car is a fad and with no new models they will suffer in the market. Expect more cutbacks.
This is what I'm afraid of. The Service representative at Smart USA made some comment about "with the economy these days" and mentioned how the dealers are trying to cut down on all costs, including repairs not reimbursed due to the warranty issue. He also fed me some line that this would be the same for all auto companies at this time, due to the economic climate. He said something about them not wanting to lose money, and I was like "what about me?!"
How can I get in touch with Dave Schembri? Is there anyone else I can contact to complain who might be able to help me in some way.
I don't know if I can keep recommending Smart cars to people if this is how I get treated by the dealer...
Filling the gas tank is only a temporary fix for being out of gas, yet, we keep doing it...
Are you joking? My wife gets stuck in a dark and deserted shopping center parking lot because her brand new Smart can't shift into reverse. The best solution is to haul the car into the dealership to have the shifter lubed again and again so it doesn't happen anymore.
And you think this is similar to filling up the car with gas?
Why would you take the car to the dealer to lube the shifter? It's a 30 second procedure well documented on this site. Actually take less time and effort than filling the tank.
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