NHTSA Complaint #11131619 — 2016 SMART FORTWO

2016 SMART CAR PASSION KEY STUCK IN SWITCH. STATIONARY IN PARK GEAR. POOR DESIGN OF SHIFTER, IF THAT EASILY DISABLED. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH IMPROVED DESIGN SHIFTER. IF THAT SENSITIVE WHY DO THEY PUT 2 CUP HOLDERS NEAR THE SHIFTER? SIMPLE RUBBER SEAL WOULD FIX IT! THE SERVICE MECHANIC SAID THE SHIFTER WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF A COFFEE SPILL - HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE - BECAUSE ANY STAIN WAS YEARS AGO WHEN I GOT THE CAR. I HAVE NOT DRUNK ANY IN THE CAR OVER A YEAR. TO SAVE MONEY I MAKE COFFEE AT HOME AND DRINK AT WORK. I'M SURE ALL THIS SUMMER WET AND HUMID WEATHER CAUSED A PROBLEM. AFTER WEEKS OF RAIN THE KEY WAS JAMMING MANY TIMES BEFORE IT GOT STUCK. I THINK THE SHIFTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED AND SHOULD BE REPLACE FOR FREE. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THE SHIFTER IS COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. TRYING TO BLAME A SPILL FOR THE FAILURE BUT JUST A BAD SHIFTER. THIS IS THE SECOND SMART CAR I HAVE GOTTEN AND THE MOST TROUBLE. I CAN'T AFFORD THE ESTIMATED #1100 COST TO FIX IT.