SRS Light = New Wiring Harness

[lharmon20]

Was starting the SMART on Wednesday and noticed that the SRS (Airbag symbol) stayed lit. Looking at the owner's manual I read that this is a big concern in that the airbag deployment could be compromised.

Since the car is at 14,815 miles I was due for an oil change anyway. (Try to do that every 5K) Dropped it by SCI this morning.

Joe just called back and told me that they are going to have to replace the entire wiring harness of the car. Parts will not arrive until Tuesday and it is a two day repair after that. So I will be without a vehicle for a week! Not good.

Then my concern is if they place the same type of harness in I can be looking at replacing it on my dime in 14,000 miles after the minimal warranty has expired. Joe is checking to see if this is an updated part.

Guess I can no longer state to people when asked, "No. Not a single problem since I got it."

Will update the progress to the group as things develop.

[jwight]

Sorry to hear that; good they are fixing it though. Talk to SCI about starting the warranty clock over for the wiring harness just in case; worth a shot.

[lharmon20]

Nice suggestion on the warranty starting over. Unfortunately they did not think so. I was told they replace it with an improved part. Guess the connectors used in the original ones were "cheap" (to use their description). The replacement part is said to be superior. So they feel I should not have the same problem in another 15,000 miles.

Car was unavailable to me until Thursday. So lost a vehicle for most of a week and never was offered a loaner. Is that the case with Smart and warranty repairs? Kind of surprised me to tell the truth. At least thought they might discount my $84.00 oil change that I had them do at the same time. Nothing there either.

Good news is that my ForTwo is back on the road and bringing smiles to all it sees.

[jwight]

Thanks for the update. So, the rest of us with the "cheap" harnesses will just have to hope the airbags work if needed? Hmmmmmmm....

Loaner cars, etc. seem to be dealer dependent; some dealers take care of the customer, some don't.

[lharmon20]

Originally Posted by jwight

Thanks for the update. So, the rest of us with the "cheap" harnesses will just have to hope the airbags work if needed? Hmmmmmmm....

No. I think when they fail it would trigger the warning light.
So should be safe enough. Just question if the whole thing should not have been a recall.

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by lharmon20

No. I think when they fail it would trigger the warning light.
So should be safe enough. Just question if the whole thing should not have been a recall.

hmmm, has anyone else had this problem yet? (first I remember of it!)

[jwight]

Originally Posted by lharmon20

No. I think when they fail it would trigger the warning light.
So should be safe enough. Just question if the whole thing should not have been a recall.

Yep, and as long as you don't get hit on the way to the dealer for the replacement work it should be safe enough; if you do, sounds like you're SOL.

[BruceA127]

Thanks for the tread on the airbag. Just have 2,400 miles on mine and the ABS light came on and will not go off. Have to call the dealer Monday morning. I have heard that SMART has had a problem with the ABS wiring, seems that I read that somewhere...but can't find any info on the web....

[jwight]

Just a reminder that problems like this can (and should) be reported to the NHTSA for their database. With enough reports they can institute a recall if the manufacturer hasn't already done so. IVOQ - File a Complaint

[Old smart]

Mine arrived at the dealer with a SRS indication. It was traced to a loose connection for one of the passenger airbags. There was no indication that there was a physical problem with the connector, and no replacement parts were necessary. Built June '08.