While the smart car has exceeded all sales expectations and created a nice following, it has also had some quality issues, especially the transmission. Owners complain about rough and slipping shifts between gears. MBUSA and smart USA is listening to the smart owners and is now sending letters to 24,622 owners of the 2008 smart car models; urging them to make an appointment at their local dealer to get a free software upgrade in hopes to smooth out the rough gear shifts.
“We will upgrade your transmission software to the new 2009 operating mode which provides improved shifting dynamics as well as instant changing between automatic and paddle shifting just by touching the up or down shift paddles,” reads the letter to one owner.
Smart spokesman Ken Kettenbeil acknowledges “a little hesitation between gears” in the ‘08 models, the first year that the Smart car was on sale, and that the software fix will bring about a “smoother transition.” The letter says the fix takes about 90 minutes.
via Open Road
Loading ...
Hey Muamer – congratulations on 1,000 posts on BenzInsider. Keep up the good work!
Hey Chris,
Thanks buddy, appreciate it. Actually, this doesn’t take into account the 300+ posts I wrote when the site was on blogger.com. So actually, I have around 1300 posts
– still a great achievement 
I am a recipient of the upgrade, and extremely displeased. Since the upgrade I have had nothing but problems with my little red Smart car. My car will start just fine, but any attempt to shift is not recognized by the computer. I have taken it to a dealership on 3 occasions now, and the problem apparently can’t be reproduced. I had to call a tow truck today because I couldn’t even drive my car to take my dog to the vet for surgery. I am starting to regret my decision ever purchasing this Smart Car.
Thanks for the useful info. It’s so interesting!
We have a 2008 Smart Passion that I bought for my wife. She was very excited to get the car but now we are having second thoughts. The transmission problem has occurred at least a dozen times and we too are recipients of the 2009 upgrade but it has failed once again. It is not just the fact it failed, it is more that it failed while she was driving on the highway and had to pull off the highway with a car that could not be put back in gear. This is an extreme safety hazard and puts my wifes life in jeopardy almost every time she drives it. I am about ready to drive the car onto the dealer lot and leave it there. The dealer has been very good, but MB and/or Smart better come to the table and replace this car with a new one and soon. Once and problem and fixed, I dont feel too bad. Twice a problem, get me a new car.
I also received the upgrade and have had since had occasions where I could not get my transmission to engage and called roadside assistance. The first time, just when I gave them all of my info, it finally engaged. I sat there for like 15 minutes, though, trying to get it to work! I was ready to leave it there, since I had to get to work!
I bought this car so I would have a reliable vehicle, but the 2008 has failed to meet that requirement. The service dept. at the dealership claims they can’t do anything about it because they “can’t reproduce” it, but it’s obvious from the other posts here that I am not the only one that has had this problem.
Has anyone had any results? Or learned what the problem is? I am considering consulting with a lemon attorney if they do not do anything about it. Has anyone else done so?
Very useful information. Thanks for this post. I’ll be sure to come back again. P.S: I’ve bookmark your site as well.
Interesting content. Were did you gained just about all the information from