It all started by not going into Reverse or Park...

[Carnut]

Dissappointingly not one dealer rep has stepped up to the plate to explain why this is occuring and if there is a Technical Bulletin out on it. I would encourage every one that has this happen to their smart to notify the NHTSA.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Carnut

Dissappointingly not one dealer rep has stepped up to the plate to explain why this is occuring and if there is a Technical Bulletin out on it. I would encourage every one that has this happen to their smart to notify the NHTSA.

So to fix the problem you keep adding lawyers until they precipitate out of the solution ?
I would call and speak to the person that fixed the car in OR and then hand the phone to the shop in OH this sounds like somthing that needs to get looked at by mechanics...
karl

[GHammerly]

I with Karl on this, got to give them a chance to fix it, if it's a cronic problem it will take some time until they can fix it for all new cars and cars delivered.

[spdickey]

My dealer in Beverly Hills heard about the shift linkage problems as well. Luckily it hasn't hit mine yet.

[august8pm]

I think a sub-category called "Known Issues" would be quite valuable.

I was one of the people who "broke in" the MINI when it came to the states and similar forums where often the only place one learned about issues like this one.

I think it would be extremely beneficial to group similar information.

Just a suggestion.

[Carnut]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

So to fix the problem you keep adding lawyers until they precipitate out of the solution ?
I would call and speak to the person that fixed the car in OR and then hand the phone to the shop in OH this sounds like somthing that needs to get looked at by mechanics...
karl

Karl I PM'd the OR dealer and never received a reply. If your car comes up with this problem (I pray for you that it doesn't) you would probably sing a different tune. Again I stated my dissappointment that not one dealer rep came out with some news regarding this problem. You then talk about lawyers?????

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Carnut

Karl I PM'd the OR dealer and never received a reply. If your car comes up with this problem (I pray for you that it doesn't) you would probably sing a different tune. Again I stated my dissappointment that not one dealer rep came out with some news regarding this problem. You then talk about lawyers?????

It seems to me to be a problem with the US only gear selector system, This is due to what ? NHTSA are not regulators ? What I think we need is a bit more communication between people in a position to do something positive right now. My most humble apology if you felt I was making light of you plight that was in no way my intent.
karl

[Carnut]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

It seems to me to be a problem with the US only gear selector system, This is due to what ? NHTSA are not regulators ? What I think we need is a bit more communication between people in a position to do something positive right now. My most humble apology if you felt I was making light of you plight that was in no way my intent.
karl

Not a problem Karl. I may be wrong, but isn't NHTSA to entity that initiates recalls? This smells like it could be a recall situation being swept under the rug.

[jwight]

NHTSA is the keeper of recall information and in most cases the recalls are initiated by manufacturers unless the problem is an immediate and serious safety concern, in which case the agency can take action. However, they need data to make informed decisions - that's why every incident reported to them (like the shifter problem) makes a difference. If there are enough of these out there (and we only know what's reported on this forum and maybe a couple of others) then NHTSA will have the info to decide if there's a recall issue or not. Meanwhile, if smart usa fixes the problem on its own, no harm no foul.

[rwj53]

I just sent in my 99 bucks and after reading about your linkage problem and an expensive valve job after only 60.000 miles I am starting to reconsider the smart car. I will watch your situation and how it unfolds very close. Thanks for posting.