2008 SMART FORTWO Steering Problems

2008 Smart Fortwo Pure, currently with 85,036 miles, factory equipped with optional POWER STEERING - ELECTRIC, power steering had worked fine until Fall 2020 when cold temperatures caused steering lock-up, until car interior warmed enough to unlock steering, behavior consistent throughout that winter. Once steering unlocked, steering was normal, until car sat & chilled sufficiently to re-lock steering, or fault disappeared with warmer Spring 2021 temperatures. NEW DEVELOPMENTS - December 2021, outside temperatures in the 20s F, it takes much longer, 30-60 minutes or longer with heat & blower on max heat, before steering unlocks. After steering unlocks, it can seem fully unlocked, BUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES STEERING NOW GETS DANGEROUSLY STIFF AND STICKY AND STUCK-IN-POSITION MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING. Unlike some vehicles with steering lockable by key position for theft deterrence, THERE IS NO STEERING-LOCK-BASED ANTI-THEFT FEATURE ON THE FORTWO. I hope you’ll agree that any vehicle...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW COUNTRY MERCEDES-BENZ LOCATED AT 1 WESTON ST, HARTFORD, CT 06120, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,250.

CAR MAKES LOUD LOUD NOISES AND THEY TELLING ME IT WAS NORMAL NOTHING WRONG I DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE CAN SOME ONE HELP ME IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS SENSE I N OUGHT IT AT ANNAPOLIS DEALERSHIP SEAT BELT STEERING WHEEL LOUD NOISES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART CAR FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WOULD IN THE SAME DIRECTION WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000. UPDATED 8/25/10 *CN UPDATED 08/27/10 UPDATED 08/30/10*JB