KNOWN FAULTS · Smart
Known faults for the Smart fortwo (451).
2007–2014 · Petrol / Diesel / Electric
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
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7 known faults with sources
Engines: 1.0 (Mitsubishi) (Petrol) · 0.8 cdi (Diesel) · electric drive (Electric)
Applies if: Second-generation fortwo (451), petrol and diesel engines.
mhd belt, timing chain, exhaust and automated gearbox on the smart fortwo 451Known weak points
- Engine / equipment
- smart fortwo 451 (1.0 Mitsubishi, mhd and 0.8 cdi)
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Symptoms
- A chirp that changes with speed and a broken auxiliary belt (mhd); metallic rattle after a cold start; a rusty exhaust; a tailgate that will not open; oil sludge and leaks; harsh shifts from the automated gearbox.
- Possible cause described
- On mhd models (from 2008) the belt tends to break and damage nearby parts. On short trips the engine does not warm up and sludge forms; the chain can stretch if oil changes are neglected. Before the 2010 facelift the catalytic converter and silencer are one part, which is more expensive to replace.
- Check for the garage
- Listen for belt chirp and replace it in time; change the oil every 20,000 km or every year; check the exhaust and tailgate lock; read the gearbox adaptation.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
Gebrauchtwagenberater: smart fortwo (C451), typical problemsKfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich: typical smart fortwo problems
View full entryEngines: 1.0 (Mitsubishi) (Petrol)
Smart fortwo (451) 1.0 (Mitsubishi): known faults of the engine according to L'argusEngine
- Engine / equipment
- 1.0 (Mitsubishi) in the Smart fortwo (451)
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Symptoms
- Oil leak; Engine will not start (between 30/09/2008 and 04/02/2009); Eco mode faults on the mhd version; mhd version will not start
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Oil leak: Rectify the sump sealing. 2) Engine will not start (between 30/09/2008 and 04/02/2009): Fuse and relay box to be replaced. 3) Eco mode faults on the mhd version: Wiring harness or battery sensor (up to 30/06/2009). 4) mhd version will not start: Starter-alternator belt pivot bearing (up to VIN K486604) or belt (from K486605 to K520790).
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.0 (Mitsubishi) (Petrol) · 0.8 cdi (Diesel) · electric drive (Electric)
Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the gearbox and transmission according to L'argusGearbox
- Engine / equipment
- Smart fortwo (451), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Symptoms
- Reverse will not engage (2007–2009); Leak at the right driveshaft (from August 2012)
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Reverse will not engage (2007–2009): Reprogramming. 2) Leak at the right driveshaft (from August 2012): Driveshaft to be replaced.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.0 (Mitsubishi) (Petrol) · 0.8 cdi (Diesel) · electric drive (Electric)
Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the chassis, steering and brakes according to L'argusSuspension and steering
- Engine / equipment
- Smart fortwo (451), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Symptoms
- Steering vibration (up to 18/03/2008); Front axle noises; Noise when turning (up to 03/11/2013)
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Steering vibration (up to 18/03/2008): Steering rack. 2) Front axle noises: Transverse arm bushes (up to 20/12/2010), shock absorber gaiters (up to 19/07/2011) or torsion bar bearing. 3) Noise when turning (up to 03/11/2013): Track rod ends.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.0 (Mitsubishi) (Petrol) · 0.8 cdi (Diesel) · electric drive (Electric)
Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the electronics and interior according to L'argusElectrical and electronic systems
- Engine / equipment
- Smart fortwo (451), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Symptoms
- Repeated brake light switch failure; Doors will not open from inside or rattle; Air conditioning fault from a leak (up to 04/02/2008); Electric window faults; Airbag light on
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Repeated brake light switch failure: Switch plunger. 2) Doors will not open from inside or rattle: Locks. 3) Air conditioning fault from a leak (up to 04/02/2008): Pipe to be replaced. 4) Electric window faults: Control unit. 5) Airbag light on: Control unit.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 1.0 (Mitsubishi) (Petrol) · 0.8 cdi (Diesel) · electric drive (Electric)
Smart fortwo (451): known faults of the body according to L'argusBodywork
- Engine / equipment
- Smart fortwo (451), all engines
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Symptoms
- Water gets into the boot
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Water gets into the boot: Upper tailgate frame.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: 0.8 cdi (Diesel)
Smart fortwo (451) 0.8 cdi: known faults of the engine according to L'argusEngine
- Engine / equipment
- 0.8 cdi in the Smart fortwo (451)
- Period mentioned
- 2007–2014
- Symptoms
- Abnormal oil consumption; Loss of power
- Possible cause described
- According to the brand's technical notes reported by L'argus (each date shows up to when the affected cars were built): 1) Abnormal oil consumption: Turbo intercooler. 2) Loss of power: Loose air ducts, EGR valve, wiring harness to be checked or EGR valve bracket.
- Check for the garage
- Compare your symptom and your car's build date with this list. If they match, tell the workshop and ask them to check that part first before replacing others. The brand or a warranty extension covers some repairs: ask the dealer with the car's details.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines for this model
- 1.0 (Mitsubishi)Petrol
- 0.8 cdiDiesel
- electric driveElectric