Nov 2, 2021Electrical system
Software for power control module is not correspond to the series level Software configuration. Basically it doesn't want to take charge due to the Software issues from manufacturer.
NHTSA ODI 11439125
Home · 2013 Smart Cabrio · Complaints
What 24 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Smart Cabrio
These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.
All (24)Crash / fire / injury (3)Engine (6)Seat belts (6)Transmission & drivetrain (5)Electrical system (3)Body & structure (2)Seats (2)Visibility & wipers (2)Airbags (1)Brakes (1)Equipment (1)
3 of 24 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters
Sep 21, 2015Electrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CASING MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
NHTSA ODI 10766514
Jul 7, 2014Electrical systemEngine
ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED BRIEFLY AND WENT OFF. WITHIN ONE MILE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. AS I SLOWED TO A STOP, A LARGE CLOUD OF STEAM ERUPTED. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH AND MOST OF THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. NO EXPLANATION OF LACK OF WARNING LAMPS. A SECOND TWO WEEK TRIP TO THE DEALER WAS NEEDED TO RESOLVE ALL THE ISSUES. CAR STILL HAS ENGINE LIGHT ON
NHTSA ODI 10608766
Working with the data? Download all 24 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026
How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Smart Cabrio verdict →