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transmission/shifter probems/failure - 451 smart fortwo

451 smart fortwo

hi all,

this seems to be a growing concern to "smarties", this mysterious shifter failure that disables the vehicle. i have had my smart for over 5 months without any problems (knock on plastic!) i am curious when your smart was made that has this failure.

it seems that penski/mercedes/smart should issue a "recall" to fix this problem, rather than wait until we are found on the road or in a parking lot DEAD! i have heard this occurring as early as 350km (canada). i have logged over 3800 miles with no problems, but i have no second vehicle and i'd rather have smart fix it now before it fails and i'm stranded god knows where.

my manufacture date is 12/07

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I just had my new smart towed away yesterday back to the dealership as I couldn't get my gear to shift out of N or P. Of course the key couldn't come out of the ignition either. I was told that this is an issue that they are aware of so I hope they fix quickly and with a new and improved part and not from the same deffective batch. I only have 11,000 km and took posession in late April.

Marc

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what was your date of manufacture? check the month/year in the door jamb.

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My smart was at the dealer (CHMB) today for a scheduled appointment - to replace the piece holding the cabrio top switch (correct piece finally came in).

I asked the service writer to do the 'lubrication fix for the shifter problem' since the console would be out and the shifter mechanism exposed. He had not heard of a problem and checked it out - do not know with who. The response was - no known problem - so he could not do anything under warranty.

I did not press the issue.

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should have told him to go to this website! i'll call my dealer soon about this, i don't my smart to become a FORD (found on road dead)

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He said (paraphrase) - just because something is discussed on the internet does not mean it is true. This was without me even mentioning this, or any of the websites.

Based on the response, it seems that the frequency of the problem has not yet reached (or been recognized as reaching) the threshold for recognition, much less action.

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wow! the stealership is acknowledging the issue has come up [previous customer complaint or stealership web 'watchdog'?] , and they immediately try to quash it instead of looking into it? is this the fucking twatlight zone?!

yeah, i'm jumping. i'm going for my test drive today or tomorrow...i will bring this up to test how forthcoming they are. i can spot feigning at 1km, people.

do they not understand how powerful we are?

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yikes! and people thought i was nasty! LOL

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this doesn't read like compassion to me. our lives are in their hands - they should have posted a recall. fixing things when you ask is fine, but they should have posted a recall. i have a hyundai elantra. pos in some people's eyes, but at least they post TSBs and recalls.

i have an extremely low tolerance for BS.

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this is a level of bull shit. they know the problem exists. my dealer will lube the shifter for free (i plan on getting this done at 5000 miles with my first oil change)

a recall is due, mercedes fucked up, they should admit to it and fix it before we're stranded. they need to tell us when they fucked up, and get us all fixed.

i'm hoping my smart was before the fuck-ups. shit happens, it just takes time for some to admit it.

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Fixed Or Repaired Daily , I had 2 Fords nearly a decade ago and once they hit 50k miles, things start to go bonkers. Sorry to hijack thread.

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that or Found On Road Dead. i worked at a ford dealer 12 years ago. also Fuel Or Repair Daily.

my first car was a '71 LTD, i had 3 escorts, 2- 82's and 1-'86 (first 2 were moving targets, the third was a lemon) in '88 i got a subaru justy (smaller than a metro and a lot quicker!)

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Mine locked up last weekend. Could not put into N or P, therefore could not remove the key either. Had to have it towed to Sacramento from Grass Valley CA. I had no problems until that day. I got one warning and it broke. The car is at the tint shop so I will check my manufacture date and post it later. Total milage till lock-up 6251mi.

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