What 24 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Smart Ed

The drivers side seatbelt connecting floor (I think it's the belt force limiter) has a cable that has broken off. This is the 2nd time this has happened to my SmartCar. It is a design flaw because the cable runs against the metal of the seat cutting thru the cable. It isn't usually noticed until it breaks off making the seatbelt complete become broken from the floor. Additionally, SmartCars including this one have a known issue where AirBags become I op (light on) due to connection issue under seat. So now I have no restraints in my car.

NHTSA ODI 11469109

DRIVER SEATBELT WILL NOT STAY IN TENSION RING. AT TIMES STUCK IN PARK & WHEN UNSTUCK WILL NOT ENGAGE ANY GEAR AND STOPPING AT RED LIGHT WHILE IN DRIVE SOON AFTER STARTING CAR IT WILL NOT MOVE WHEN ACCELERATOR IS ENGAGED. IN ALL CASES ENGINE MUST BE TURNED OFF THEN TURN TO POWER ON ONLY FOR 10 TO TWENTY MINUTES DURING WHICH EVENTUALLY CLICKING/CLUNKING SOUNDS ARE HEARD. AFTER HEARING THESE SOUNDS START AND SHIFT. REPEAT SOMETIMES TWICE BEFORE TRANSMISSION UNLOCKS. YOU MUST LEAVE ONE HOUR EARLY TO WORK OR APPOINTMENTS ANTICIPATING TRANSMISSION LOCKUP AND RESET PROCESS. USING THE YELLOW LEVER UNDER SHIFT CONSOLE WILL UNLOCK SHIFTER BUT WILL NOT AIDE WITH GEARS ENGAGING. USING GOOGLE SEARCH I FOUND OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11354621

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MOUNT, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS A STEEL CABLE, HAS MOSTLY BROKEN AND FRAYED RENDERING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD CERTAINLY BREAK COMPLETELY. I ONLY NOTICED IT YESTERDAY WHILE CLEANING, THE BREAKAGE WOULD'VE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IT. I'VE CONTACTED SMART USA, AND GOTTEN NO RESPONSE. I'VE CONTACTED MERCEDES USA, AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MANDATORY SAFETY FEATURE THAT HAS COMPLETELY FAILED FROM NORMAL USE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327242

RED LIGHT WITH SEAT WITH A RED DOT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UP WHAT THE SYMBOL MEANT. WHEN IT DIDN'T INVOLVE OIL OR WATER, I DROVE IT TO DEALER. THEY PERFORMED 30,000 MILE SERVICE AND WHEN I DROVE IT HOME IT STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI 11203624

LEFT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED BY A CABLE TO THE CAR BODY. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE HAD FAILED AND ONLY A COUPLE OF STRANDS WERE HOLDING THE SEAT BELT TO THE CAR. MY WIFE DISCOVERED IT BY ACCIDENT WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. PHOTOS ATTACHED. MERCEDES CHARGED ME $450 TO REPLACE SEAT BELTS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11192294

THE 2013 SMART FORTWO PURE EDITION (BASE MODEL) SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DRIVER LEANS FORWARD TO LOOK OUT EITHER SIDE WINDOW TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE SEAT BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE GUIDE UNLESS IT IS HAND FED. THIS ALSO REMAINS TRUE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT APPEARS IT IS BEING CAUGHT UP IN THE GUIDE ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEATS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10555019