[thestarriseshine]

Hi,
my smart is a 2013 passion that I have had since new. The past 2-3 months I've started noticing the car leaks after it rains. Usually when it's actively raining things seem fine, but the following day when I start driving water drips out of the seams in the plastic covering the A pillars on both sides, and now it also drips from the top of the windshield and runs down the inside of the windshield.
Has anyone else experienced this? We took it to the dealer and they claimed they did a bunch of leak tests and couldn't replicate the problem. That said the dealer has generally been terrible so I'm not particularly surprised by that. The main reason we took it to the dealer was because technically the car is still under the extended warranty (part of the incentive for buying out our lease) so we wanted to see if they could do something under that.
Since the dealer has been completely useless anyone know of a cheap way to fix this ourselves? Or has anyone experienced this and know where the problem lies to we could explain it better and try to force the dealers hand?

 

[jwight]

Check your Lemon Law and see how many tries they get before they have to buy the car back. Or find another smart dealer that would have to honor the extended warranty. My guess is any decent auto glass place could find the problem and fix it - does the extended warranty cover work by independent shops?

 

[halfcack]

I have a 2016. Same problem.

Somehow during the deep freeze in NY, the hard rubber that seals the window must have froze to the window.

It probably happened during an ATM stop or PO drop.

I was able to work the piece up with two hands but there is still a gap between a small length of it and the long piece that goes down into the outside window well. When it gets warmer I will try again.

Meanwhile a friend in AZ told me to try 'Gummi Pflege Stift’ for the rubber seals. I haven’t ordered it yet but he is right about everything.

https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-91480615-Gummi-Pflege-Rubber/dp/B004B8GTQG

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

Hi,
my smart is a 2013 passion that I have had since new. The past 2-3 months I've started noticing the car leaks after it rains. Usually when it's actively raining things seem fine, but the following day when I start driving water drips out of the seams in the plastic covering the A pillars on both sides, and now it also drips from the top of the windshield and runs down the inside of the windshield.
Has anyone else experienced this? We took it to the dealer and they claimed they did a bunch of leak tests and couldn't replicate the problem. That said the dealer has generally been terrible so I'm not particularly surprised by that. The main reason we took it to the dealer was because technically the car is still under the extended warranty (part of the incentive for buying out our lease) so we wanted to see if they could do something under that.
Since the dealer has been completely useless anyone know of a cheap way to fix this ourselves? Or has anyone experienced this and know where the problem lies to we could explain it better and try to force the dealers hand?

Has the windshield ever been replaced? I'm assuming not based on your "since new" statement, but would rather not assume. Your situation would be relatively common if the windshield was previously replaced, and very rare if the original windshield seals are leaking. In my opinion it is a very easy fix, and a low cost repair.

But you will need to remove the A-pillar and headliner plastic interior trim in order to spot the source of the leak. It might be leaking where the windshield kisses the chassis up top, then dribbling its way down both sides of the interior A-pillars.

Maybe you should check with another service advisor if you believe your concerns are not being addressed. If it is under warranty, I don't see any reason or motivation for ignoring your concerns.

 

[jimvw57]

sounds like it may be a leak that is pooling when it rains, then the leak is letting air force the water up the A pillar and leak out.

I would go back to the dealer or check and see if the warranty would cover a glass company checking it out. sounds like a windshield problem (possibly)

 

[jzchen]

Be sure you try to check your SAM. Make sure water isn't getting there and damaging it!